Farrell: Sandoval showing renewed confidence

Pablo Sandoval might not be a sad panda any longer.

After a tumultuous first two seasons with the Boston Red Sox, the switch-hitting third baseman entered camp in better shape, and the early results have impressed manager John Farrell, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

"I think there's some renewed confidence in his own ability," Farrell said. "He shows it in the aggressive nature he swings the bat. The range has improved with the body composition he currently has. I see a guy back to the levels he was prior to signing with the Red Sox."

The two-time All Star struggled at the plate in 2015, hitting .245/.292/.366 with a career-low 10 home runs - not counting his 41-game rookie season - over 126 games. He played in only three games in 2016 before being placed on the disabled list, missing the remainder of the season.

The Red Sox signed Sandoval to a five-year, $95-million contract prior to the 2015 season and the on-field results have not lived up to the investment. While he has yet to hit a home run, Sandoval has gone 7-for-21 in seven Grapefruit League games. He has also struck out seven times.

For Farrell, it's important to remain patient with the slugger.

"I think if you look over the course of his career, there's been some streakiness to his production," Farrell said. "That's not uncommon for a more aggressive-type hitter. What you're hopeful of is the aggressiveness stays within the strike zone. ... But he can hit pitches that are below the strike zone and square them up. We've seen him hit balls over his head."

After trading Travis Shaw, who was the Red Sox's primary third baseman in 2015, to the Milwaukee Brewers, Sandoval regained the inside track at the job entering spring training.