San Francisco Giants: Weekly Hitters Reports; Pablo Sandoval getting hot?

May 11, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants third baseman Sandoval (48) doubles in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers to drive in Pagan at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been a great week for the San Francisco Giants. After a series win against the Los Angeles Dodgers, they aim to close out a series against the Atlanta Braves on home soil tonight. Whilst are results have been great; here are the batter reports from this week. Surprisingly, featuring an increasingly hot Pablo Sandoval.

Sandoval, who had been in a massive slump since the beginning of the season, seems to be hitting. Whilst his overall batting average still sits at a rather poor .193, this week, he is hitting .308 with a .333 on base percentage and a .385 slugging percentage. Okay, okay, Sandoval may not be slugging the ball just yet, but he is starting to make contact.

The Panda has only struck out twice this week, whilst getting eight hits. There is still much more improvement needed, but Sandoval is moving in the right direction. When one is stuck in such an abysmal slump it is very important to shorten up the swing, and get the ball in play. With that will come confidence, and, hopefully the old Sandoval.

Brandon Hicks has continued his slugging ways this week. His power has once more facilitated for his poor batting average of .174. Whilst he has struck out ten times, he hit two home runs – including the first ever home run off a Clayton Kershaw curveball – and drove in four runners with a .435 slugging percentage. Hicks appears to be the pure power hitter the Giants have longed for.

Without going into too much irrelevant detail, Angel Pagan, Mike Morse, Buster Posey and Hunter Pence have continued their solid hitting. This week hasn’t changed much for them in terms of batting average, on base percentage and slugging percentage. Whilst Pence could do with some improvement on his .231 batting average, the top and core of the Giants lineup continue to get it done.

Brandon Crawford had a disappointing week, probably due to the lack of lefties he faced. His batting average was a mere .160, but he did hit one home run and add two RBI. But it’s okay, he has been superlative on defense, and is set to have a career year offensively too. We all have bad weeks occasionally, I guess.

Prior to fracturing his thumb, this week Belt had been sharp at the plate. Hitting .333 with one home run and four runs batted in, all in only 9 ABs. Replacing Belt in the lineup; Tyler Colvin. The left fielder was called up from Fresno and hit a home run into McCovey Cove in his first AB of the year. He later added a two run triple, not a bad first week/game in the majors.

Hector Sanchez has had a great week. Having been given lots of playing time, he has most certainly capitalized on the opportunity.  Hitting .294 with two RBI, he has proved he can be a solid option off the bench.

Overall, the week has been decent for the Giants. There is plenty of room for improvement, however. Things to watch for next week; can Pablo Sandoval continue his form? Can Hicks hit for a bit more contact and raise his average? Can Crawford start hitting right handed pitchers a little better? The next week will tell.