Prospect watch: Danny Sandoval, IF

Infielder Danny Sandoval will be competing for a spot on the Phillies 25-man roster this spring. Scranton Times-Tribune baseball writer Chad Jennings returns for his take on the 26-year-old prospect.    

Beer Leaguer: Chad, you did an outstanding job giving the scoop on a couple Red Barons this season, including catcher Carlos Ruiz and left-hander Eude Brito. So to pass the time here in the offseason, I was hoping to get your thoughts on 26-year-old IF Danny Sandoval, who was recently added to the 40-man roster.

In the past few seasons, I’ve seen a stat line that seems to indicate he knows how to hit, finishing this season .331/.379/.436, a very good line for a Triple-A middle infielder. Every time I check he’s hitting about .320 somewhere, and this fall, he’s hitting .323 for Pastora of the Venezuelan winter league. Aside from three at-bats in a cup of coffee with the Phils, I've never seen him play. So the question on my mind is can he field, and what role does he project to have with the Phils?

Chad Jennings: I believe it was in June when Sandoval got red hot. I don't have the stats in front of me, but it was literally something like 15 hits and 10 RBIs in six games. For that week or so, it was like watching Chase Utley all over again.

That said, Sandoval's not Chase Utley. He's not going to be a cornerstone of the organization, but I don't see why he couldn't be a role player in the big leagues. His defense is more than acceptable, though he's not as good as Nick Punto was when he was down here. He's also a nice for-average hitter and a good enough baserunner to give a spark offensively off the bench. I think he could play shortstop at the big league level, but probably not every day, and with just a little bit of work at second and third he could be a utility infielder.

Even after that torrid week, Sandoval kept hitting well enough to bat third for the Red Barons in a lot of games. The Phillies have had their eye on him for a long time -- they actually signed him a few years back only to lose him in the Rule 5 draft before he ever played a game for them -- so they'll certainly keep paying attention. Also, there's no other middle infielder in the system who's nearly as close to the big leagues as Sandoval.

Bottom line, I think you'll see him play for the Phillies at some point and he might even earn a regular role there off the bench, but I don't see him taking over for Rollins and I don't see him threatening Utley's playing time and I don't see him hitting for enough power to be an everyday third baseman. He'll get a shot, and he could do enough to stick.

Contact Chad Jennings at cjennings@timesshamrock.com.

Comments

[Tom G]

Several questions...

1. Who is better to have on the bench, Sandoval or Tomas Perez?

2. Can Sandoval play fifty games at third while David Bell plays 100?

3. Why did you use a picture of Placido Polanco for this post instead of one of Sandoval?

[J. Weitzel]

The similarities between Polanco and Sandoval aren't just physical. They both hit for average and can field multiple positions. But from everything I've read, I don't get the impression Sandoval can be counted on to play 50 games at third, or 50 games at any other position for that matter.

As for Perez or Sandoval as utility, I'd go with the experience of Tomas, even though Sandoval has outhit Tomas in Venezuela the last two seasons and is less expensive. I'm comfortable with Perez at the hot corner, and he's a fine defender everywhere else. I wrote something on this a few months ago, how Tomas provides "comfort" for an NL manager. I know most people don't want to hear it, but there's something to be said about having veteran utility on the bench, which is why the Phils have held on to him for six seasons.

That said, Sandoval still has a good shot to assume a Ramon Martinez role for 2006, but I wouldn't count on much more than that. As for Tomas, he needs to do much better at the dish, because last season was awful. Who knows? If Perez continues to decline, Sandoval could be pushed into more action.

[Daniel DeFeo]

As far as I know, Tomas is still under contract for next year, and possibly even 2007 if we pick up his option, so I dont think he'd be replacing him. I would like to see him be an off the bench guy this year, and that's all I would want from him. He does however remind me a little of Polanco.. just a little.

I would like to see them maybe bring in a veteran right handed batting 1B to give Howard breaks. I say give Andres Galaragga a call. Kidding...

[Tom Goodman]

Perez has one year remaining on his contract and unless he hits this season it will likely be his last despite his versatility in the field. He let the side down far too often as a pinch-hitter. He hits better when starting, but that isn't likely to happen much.

[RedBaronBrad]

Danny is ready. I would like to see him start the year at AAA and see what happens. He did have a very slow start this year. He played a great double play situation with Anthony Medaro. He of course will not be back but I don't think they should give up on Danny.