have to say actually going to miss the big guy and i agree with dilbeck -- it's hard not to want him to succeed i do... just not at our expense The Jerry Sands promise moves onby Steve Dilbeck | Los Angeles TimesJanuary 18, 2013 | 12:35 p.m.Jerry Sands was supposed to be the next great Dodgers power hitter, but now he's with the Pittsburgh Pirates.JERRY SANDS, 25, outfielderFinal 2012 stats: .174 batting average, two doubles, one RBI, one walk, nine strikeouts in just 23 at-bats.Contract status: Now belongs to the Pirates.The good: Had a second strong offensive season — at triple-A Albuquerque (.296, 26 homers, 107 RBI in 452 at-bats).The bad: Thus far has been unable to translate his triple-A game to the majors, though he received almost zero chance last season.What’s next: Should receive better playing opportunity with the Pirates.The take: It was hard not to want Sands to succeed. He was big, fairly fast and friendly, and Manager Don Mattingly thought he was a Matt Holiday in the making. Plus with the system otherwise almost devoid of power prospects, there was a need for him to make it. Or at least to believe in it.He enjoyed a strong September call-up in 2011 (.343, with 4.13 on-base and .493 slugging percentages), but otherwise never really looked comfortable at the major-league level.His combined stats for parts of the last two seasons were less than impressive (.244/.325/.376) though he’s still only had 251 total plate appearances. The Dodgers seemed to have made their minds up about him when he spent most of last season at Albuquerque and then was included in the package sent to Boston in the Adrian Gonzalez blockbuster.He never took a swing for the Red Sox, having been traded last month to Pittsburgh in the six-player deal for closer Joel Hanrahan. Sands is no kid anymore, needs to deliver on his potential and should get a better chance with the Pirates. There was no room for Sands in the rebuilt Dodgers, built to win now.He always looked slightly awkward and stiff at the plate to me, and although he showed some power to the opposite field, never could pull the ball. Hopefully it works out for him in Pittsburgh, but Jerry Sands the next great Dodgers power hitter, never did happen. __
I wanted to be a believer in Sands, but once I saw him in the majors, I didn't have much hope. There's no doubt his numbers in triple A were inflated. The biggest thing I saw was his hands/bat speed. They were too slow to catch up to major league fastballs. He'll probably do alright hitting average off speed pitches, and 90 mph fastballs. Unless that bat speed improves, I think he'll struggle. From my experience playing baseball, improving bat speed is probably the hardest thing to do mechanically as a hitter. You either have it, or you don't.
I agree with DodgerLove... he's the typical AAAA player that cant translate into a ML talent... and its funny cuz he has this humongous opposite field power (Kemp style) but he just cant turn it into a consistent average... he simply cant play for the situations, can pull a liner over 3B or go soft for a bloop single... he's all out all the time... good kid, just not good enough to play for us... as for Crawford, we know he has done it, its just a matter of getting back to shape...
idk 2010 was a long time ago but he's still relatively young and won't have to live up to the same high expectations they had in boston
This. All young guys need consistent PT in order to be able to show what they can do. Confidence and trust showed by managers, coaches and the front office do wonders. This goes for all players, no matter what. Regular PT and trust is very, very important. Best of luck to Sands. I will follow his career very closely, really like the guy.
Kevin Kennedy used to say you needed at least half a season of playing time to see what a young player can do in the majors.
Not so long ago Crawford his the belle of the dance... "maybe" that Crawford can recover from the Tommy John surgery since he DID hit over .300 in 5 of 6 years... It would almost be funny that the Red Sox got nothing from his huge contract and then he does come back with the Dodgers...
Kind of a trick question. Crawford is better but costs an arm and a leg. If we had Sands, he would cost nothing and we could replace him anytime.
Did Dee got enough playing time??? I understand that, but playing time has to be earned and you need to show progress while playing... Sands did got playing time (maybe not a full time job) and he simply didnt show enough to force the FO... I remember when Kemp and Ethier came up, we have the great Luis Gonzalez, but their stats forced them into the lineup... Sands simply didnt impressed...
I hope Sands has a great career but I was not sad when we traded him. I'd rather take my chances with Crawford who will be great defensively and should hopefully rebound due to a more spacious outfield for doubles. I'd rather have Josh Hamilton though
Very true...if Crawford continues to suck then we're stuck with a 20 million dollar fourth outfielder.
I'm an unabashed Sands guy, but Crawford all the way. I hope Sands tears shit up, though. He gets his chance now.
