With multiple position flexibility that would make Mr. Roper growl, Pablo Sandoval is an intriguing name for 2009 fantasy baseball. For a guy that weighs in at 250 lbs., Pablo Sandoval sure is limber with eligibility at 3rd base, 1st base and catcher in most leagues. But if he’s eligible at catcher in your league, that’s the only position you really need to concern yourself with. So is this the lone reason why Pablo Sandoval is a sleeper for 2009 fantasy baseball? Is he only appealing because he’s at catcher?
Sorta. He’s shown the ability to hit a lot of line drives. If he could move his Winnebago-sized frame around a bit, he’d be on the verge of fantasy studliness. Even with his Rosie the Robot-type mobility, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get 35 doubles. He’s actually a .300 hitter. Weird, right? Not often, you see a tubby guy who can hit for average. (Somewhere in California, Tony Gwynn just shouted at his computer screen with a mouthful of corndog.) Sandoval can also hit with some power, though not as much as you might think considering his physique. Think about 14 home runs. So Sandoval is definitely someone to target, just don’t make a Blairing Mistake. (A Blairing Mistake is a new Fantasy Baseball Glossary term. Named after Blair from Facts of Life, it involves fooling yourself that a player is more attractive than they really are because their peer group is homelier. Usually found in the Catcher and Middle Infielder categories. “Drafting Dan Uggla in the 4th round was a Blairing Mistake on my part.”) Pablo Sandoval‘s a sleeper for the later rounds in your 2009 fantasy baseball draft. Just don’t reach and make a Blairing Mistake.
