Pablo Sandoval happy to stick with Giants this time

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona - Best shape of his life? That spring training cliche will never apply to Pablo Sandoval, listed at 5-foot-11, 268 pounds.

Best mental outlook of his life? On that front, Sandoval, 31, might be in tip-top condition.

“I’m super happy,” he said.

The mercurial Panda blasted the Giants on his way out the free-agent door in 2015, saying the only people he’d miss were manager Bruce Bochy and outfielder Hunter Pence.

That was three years ago. This spring, Sandoval sounds as if he’s at peace again - and he’s playing that way. Through 36 at-bats in Cactus League play, he’s hitting .306 with a .357 on-base percentage and a .528 slugging percentage.

“You know, you learn a lot of things in your career. Ups and downs,” Sandoval said. “You have to be humble and keep your head up no matter what. ... You know you need a little effort to work hard to be part of this team and enjoy the ride.”

Sandoval has embraced his potential role as a utility infielder, splitting innings this spring almost equally between third base and first base. He made a terrific diving stop at first base Sunday in a 13-0 victory against the Colorado Rockies. He also went 2 for 4 with a homer and four RBIs.

The switch-hitter would give the Giants another right-handed option at first base on days they don’t want Brandon Belt facing a left-hander.

“If I make the team, I’m going to be ready for everything, every situation, every opportunity I’m going to get,” Sandoval said after Sunday’s game. “I just keep working on things I can handle and try to do the best I can out there for my teammates.”

There’s no guarantee he makes the team, but it’s hard to imagine him faltering at this stage. Bochy said he has to wait to see how things shake out, but mentioned Sandoval as a backup infielder who could also serve as an emergency catcher.

“That’s pretty nice to have: a guy with his experience - and the threat that he is - coming off the bench,”Bochy said Sunday.

It helps that Sandoval is healthy again. He had season-ending left-shoulder surgery in May 2016. It’s been a long road back to full strength, but he says now that he can swing freely from either side of the plate. (Sandoval hit solely from the left side for the last half of 2015).

“When you don’t feel pain, you’re not afraid to swing,” he said. “It feels the same as it was before surgery and early in my career. So I feel great.”

Sandoval batted .222/.263/.375 as a late-season call-up last year. The Giants brought in Evan Longoria to play third base, but Sandoval could be an inexpensive veteran backup.

The Red Sox paid $18.05 million to buy out his contract option; the Giants would pick up a $545,000 tab.

Besides showing some pop at the plate (.885 OPS), Sandoval is saying the right things. He might consider a second career writing baseball Hallmark cards.

In the least, Sandoval is making an impression this spring. His more diligent approach has Bochy’s attention.

“Pablo’s worked hard,” he said. “He comes out and does all his work every day on the defensive side. He’s known for his hitting, but he worked hard on his defense.”