San Francisco Giants' Blake Sabol celebrates after hitting a home run in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners in San Francisco, Monday, July 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Josie Lepe)

By Jarrod Prugar

For the Mirror

PITTSBURGH — Last year, Blake Sabol was handing Pirates outfielder Jack Suwinski his car keys through the left field net. Over the weekend, he was facing off against his former roommate and teammate at PNC Park as a member of the San Francisco Giants.

“The last time I was at PNC Park, it was on an off day in Altoona,” Sabol said. “I drove up here and Suwinski was one of my roommates in Altoona, and he needed his car keys so I drove up, gave him his car keys through the left field net then sat and watched the game against the Dodgers, and now, it’s cool that I’m in the dugout and get to be on the field.

For Sabol, it’s been a crazy journey to end up in a Giants uniform after being left unprotected by the Pirates in the Major League Rule 5 Draft over the winter. From there, he was drafted initially by the Cincinnati Reds who traded him just an hour and a half later to San Francisco.

“When I wasn’t protected by the Pirates, I was definitely a little bit shocked, a little surprised and as a player and competitor, you get a little disappointed when someone says no, we don’t want you,” Sabol said. “At the same time, when I didn’t get protected, I had a really good feeling that the body of work I put together the last couple of years, I had a good chance of getting picked leading up to it.”

Being traded to the Giants was a blessing in disguise for Sabol, who was an All-American catcher for Southern California and grew up in Aliso Viejo, Calif.

“Growing up in Southern California, I always was around West Coast baseball, always dreamed about playing closer to home,” Sabol said. “It would have been cool to definitely play at PNC Park and be a part of the Pirates organization and kind of right the ship over there with my friends, but I think God truly has a plan and I think this is the best plan for me.”

Far from the only rookie getting significant playing time for San Francisco, Sabol is still having himself a good enough season and effort to keep him in the Majors as he’s hitting .251 with 10 home runs and 34 RBIs.

“There’s been a lot of attention on some of our rookie players — Patrick Bailey, Luis Matos, etc.,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said. “I think Blake has kind of gotten the least amount of attention compared to those, but he’s been damn good for us and I’m excited that he’s developing his skills behind the plate. He’s getting better in the outfield as well. He’s a pretty valuable and important member of our team right now.”

Sabol’s road as a catcher began in college but took a detour after he was clocked running a 6.5 second 60-yard sprint. That pushed the Pirates to move Sabol to the outfield until the organization was desperate for a catcher in 2021.

“Before the Pirates had drafted Henry Davis, they were looking for a catcher,” Sabol said. “I saw that and told Pirates farm director John Baker I used to catch and wanted to throw my hat in the ring.”

That decision ended up changing the trajectory of Sabol’s career without him realizing it at the time.

“That was probably the biggest thing that helped me in my baseball career with the Pirates,” Sabol said. “Not every organization would have let someone that they drafted for one position go try another position. That’s something I’ll always be grateful for, the Pirates letting me get the gear back on and really working with me back there and helping me develop that part of my game.”

No matter what position, Sabol has always been able to hit, but that took another step forward last year while he was in Altoona and working with Curve hitting coach Jon Nunnally.

“For me, I felt like last year I really found some confidence in Altoona, working with Nunnally,” Sabol said.

Now that Sabol is in the Majors, his plan is to stay there for good. Much like the Pirates’ Davis, Sabol is able to play multiple positions.

“I think I’ve turned myself into a valuable player, just someone that can be able to go in the outfield, go behind the plate or I can be the designated hitter and still hit pretty well. And so I think that that’s a unique thing that I have going for myself.”

Being able to play more than catcher is an added tool for Sabol and will go a long way in helping Sabol stay with the Giants and thrive.

“It’s just continuing what I’ve been doing by just trying to get a little bit better every day,” Sabol said. “I’m planning on playing for a long time. My bat has definitely shown improvements. I think all parts of my games this year from beginning to the end have improved, and I think that’s the main thing is just continuing to trend up. I’m continuing to be curious, ask questions and know that I’ll never be a finished product.”

While Sabol’s time with the Pirates has come and gone, there’s a lot of thankfulness and gratitude despite how it played out.

“I played at every single level that the Pirates have,” Sabol said. “I was in Bradenton with the Marauders. I was a Greensboro Grasshopper. I was an Altoona Curve. I was in Indianapolis, and I got to play with a lot of really cool guys along the way.”

It was many of those teammates that he played against while at PNC Park this weekend. They’ve all played a part in his journey, one that is far from complete.

“There’s always going to be a lot for me to learn,” Sabol said. “I definitely wouldn’t be here without all the experiences I’ve had and all the people I’ve met along the way. I’ll definitely always be very grateful for it.”