{"id":74092,"date":"2024-05-23T09:00:23","date_gmt":"2024-05-23T13:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=74092"},"modified":"2024-05-22T23:51:38","modified_gmt":"2024-05-23T03:51:38","slug":"pablo-sandoval-independent-baseball","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/05\/23\/pablo-sandoval-independent-baseball\/","title":{"rendered":"Former World Series Champion One of Many Still Playing in Independent League"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The temperature is beginning to rise as spring turns to the dog days of summer. For some, that means heading to the beach or lake for a vacation, but for others, <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">it&#8217;s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0a chance to take in some Summer baseball.\u00a0Many fans have the luxury of living close enough to their favorite MLB team that they can take in multiple games a year.\u00a0Other fans will\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">make a long drive<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0or take a short flight to watch their favorite team live.\u00a0However, most fans\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">are relegated<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0to watching their favorite MLB team on TV or listening to them on the radio because of blackouts.\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">This<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0is where independent minor league baseball fills the void.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Fans fill the stands throughout the baseball season to catch a glimpse of future major leaguers. Those lucky enough to live near a Triple-A affiliate\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">get the opportunity to<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> take in the best baseball out there short of the major leagues.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/05\/22\/tommy-kahnle-activated-il-shoulder\/\" target=\"_self\">MLB stars rehab<\/a> with these affiliates in front of standing-room-only crowds.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/FFz7U_EZYUA?si=mZMhOrMi6ErBYAAD\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Currently, over 80 independent leagues are operating in the United States. For <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">the large majority of<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> baseball fans out there, this is the best option to see some future and former MLB players. Dollar-for-dollar, independent baseball games provide a unique experience distinct from affiliated leagues at a fraction of the price. Eclectic teams like the Danville Otterbots and Tupper Lake Riverpigs provide a personalized atmosphere to the local community. The Burlington Sock Puppets pay homage to the textile industry that the small North Carolina town <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">was founded<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0on.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">RELEASED: The 2024 Burlington Sock Puppets initial roster is here!<\/p>\n<p>SPOILER ALERT: We got some DUDES.<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udcf0: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Lmb4kf6pNj\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/Lmb4kf6pNj<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/28Fp52eaha\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/28Fp52eaha<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Burlington Sock Puppets (@GoSockPuppets) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GoSockPuppets\/status\/1788663223303942158?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">May 9, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Some former major leaguers now call the independent leagues home, where they continue to mesmerize fans, albeit on a smaller stage. This list of players still in independent baseball is headlined by three-time World Series champion Pablo Sandoval.<\/p>\n<h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Former World Series Champion Pablo Sandoval Playing Independent Baseball<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/sandopa01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-05-22_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pablo Sandoval<\/a>, aka &#8220;T<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">he Panda,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">last saw\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">major<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0league action <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2020\/09\/15\/atlanta-braves-to-sign-pablo-sandoval\/\" target=\"_self\">in 2021<\/a> with the Atlanta Braves. The two-time All-Star spent twelve seasons in the majors, splitting time between the San Francisco Giants and Boston Red Sox. Sandoval is best known as the mainstay at the hot corner for the Giants during the early 2010s. The sturdy third baseman was part of three World Series championship teams, picking up the World Series MVP in 2012.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Sandoval is\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">still swinging the lumber, now as<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0a Staten Island Ferry Hawk<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">,\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">in the Atlantic League.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0Through 24\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">games,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0Sandoval is slashing .267\/.359\/.356 with two home runs and 20 runs batted in. Sandoval pitched an inning of mop-up duty against the Charleston Dirty Birds, walking two but giving up no runs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Clint Frazier<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/f\/frazicl01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-05-22_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Clint Frazier<\/a> is best known for his five seasons with the New York Yankees.\u00a0Frazier spent those five seasons often floating between Triple-A and the big club. The outfielder is now playing for the Charleston Dirty Birds of the Atlantic League. Through ten games, the former first-round draftee\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">is slashing<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0.237\/.356\/.421 and has one home run to his credit.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Colin Moran<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/moranco01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-05-22_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Colin Moran<\/a> spent parts of seven seasons in the big leagues, most notably with the Pittsburgh Pirates. During 2018 and <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">2019,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Moran was the starting third baseman for the Buccos. Moran spent 2023 with Triple-A Tacoma and is now with the High Point Rockers.\u00a0The\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">6&#8217;4&#8243;<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0infielder has played fifteen games with the Atlantic League club in 2024. Slashing .273\/.339\/.527, Moran has shown a lot of pop early on this May.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Week 3\u2019s Player of the Week- Colin Moran <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ng4rp2TVd3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/ng4rp2TVd3<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 High Point Rockers Professional Baseball (@RockersBaseball) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RockersBaseball\/status\/1790103763333636550?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">May 13, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h4><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Delino DeShields Jr.<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In 2015, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/d\/deshide02.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Delino DeShields Jr.<\/a><\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> was picking up votes for AL Rookie of the Year. But by the end of 2021, the speedy centerfielder was out of Major League Baseball. From 2017 to <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">2019<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0DeShields was a daily outfielder for the Texas Rangers, but strikeouts plagued his career. DeShields is another Charleston Dirty Bird still putting in work.\u00a0Through 23\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">games<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0Delino is batting .250 and has fewer strikeouts (13) than walks (17).<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Other Former MLB Players Coaching or Playing Independent Baseball<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/schwifr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-05-22_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Frank Schwindel<\/a> &#8211; Long Island Ducks<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/z\/zaungr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-05-22_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Gregg Zaun<\/a> &#8211; Manager &#8211; Lexington Legends<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/r\/rhodear01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-05-22_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Arthur Rhodes<\/a> &#8211; Pitching Coach &#8211; Lexington Legends<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/l\/latosma01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-05-22_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mat Latos<\/a> &#8211; Bench Coach &#8211; South Maryland Blue Crabs<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/i\/incavpe01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-05-22_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pete Incaviglia<\/a> &#8211; Manager &#8211; Cleburne Railroaders<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Photo Credit: \u00a9 D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The temperature is beginning to rise as spring turns to the dog days of summer. For some, that means heading to the beach or lake for a vacation, but for others, it&#8217;s\u00a0a chance to take in some Summer baseball.\u00a0Many fans have the luxury of living close enough to their favorite MLB team that they can [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5131,"featured_media":74182,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[926,1071],"tags":[48,240,390,1861,2510,169,41,989,91],"class_list":["post-74092","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-milb","category-mlb","tag-atlanta-braves","tag-boston-red-sox","tag-clint-frazier","tag-colin-moran","tag-delino-deshields","tag-milb","tag-new-york-yankees","tag-pablo-sandoval","tag-san-francisco-giants"],"modified_by":"Lewis Masella, Site Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74092","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5131"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=74092"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74092\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/74182"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=74092"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=74092"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=74092"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}