Bronson Sardinha

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked New York Yankees #28 prospect in 2007
  The Yankees have cooled on Sardinha over the years, citing his laid-back demeanor and inability to find a defensive home. But over the last two years, the former supplemental first-round pick made progress, and his natural hitting skills and athletic ability have him poised to contribute in the majors. Sardinha's bat has blossomed since his 2005 move to right field, where his arm strength plays average and he has solid range. His lefthanded swing remains fluid and strong, he stays inside the ball well, and he has improved at letting his power come naturally as he concentrates on using the whole field. He played better after a promotion to Triple-A, thriving under Columbus manager Dave Miley. Sardinha, whose brothers Dane (Reds) and Duke (Rockies) were active minor leaguers in 2006, tied a career high with 16 homers, but his overall power potential falls shy of the ideal for a right fielder. And with Melky Cabrera ahead of him--not to mention Bob Abreu--it appears Sardinha would be a better fit in another organization.
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  Ranked New York Yankees #22 prospect in 2006
  Sardinha found a position in 2005, moving to right field after previous stints at shortstop, third base and two other outfield spots. He took to his new home well and showed a solid-average arm that plays up because of its accuracy. The nuances of right field also started coming to him, as he learned to throw to the right base and take better routes to the ball. He's the youngest of three brothers in the minors: Dane played in the Reds system last season, Duke in the Rockies organization. Bronson's bat was supposed to be his ticket and was the reason the Yankees drafted him in the supplemental first round in 2001, but his offensive progress stalled a bit. He's better off when he uses the whole field, but he tried too hard to hit for power last season, leading to him cheating on fastballs and trying to jerk balls down the line for home runs. Sardinha has a knack for staying inside the ball and using left-center field. His raw power is just average, and he's in danger of becoming a 'tweener. The Yankees want him to focus better on the field and off it in terms of his preparation. Coming off a .344 performance in the Arizona Fall League, he'll get his first shot at Triple-A in 2006 and needs to get back to hitting for average instead of worrying about his power.
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  Ranked New York Yankees #8 prospect in 2005
  Sardinha is the youngest of three brothers in the minors (Dane plays for the Reds, Duke with the Rockies). He has yet to find a home defensively, having played shortstop as well as left and center field before trying third base in 2004. There, he ranked third in the minors with 43 errors. Sardinha is a polished offensive player who uses a textbook swing to handle both lefthanded and righthanded pitchers. He shows the ability to make adjustments within at-bats and isn't afraid to work deep counts. He's an efficient basestealer and average runner. The Yankees blame Sardinha's high error totals on lapses in concentration. With Eric Duncan behind him and Alex Rodriguez ahead of him at third base, Sardinha likely will return to the outfield in 2005. He has never shown much power at the plate, and he tries to cheat on good fastballs in an attempt to hit homers. Sardinha's development hit a speed bump in the Arizona Fall League when he broke a finger on his glove hand just before the season started. He'll return to Double-A in 2005.
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  Ranked New York Yankees #10 prospect in 2004
  Sardinha's brothers Dane (Reds) and Duke (Rockies) are also developing prospects. After showing signs of progress in 2002, when he hit 16 homers in his first full season, Bronson took a step in the wrong direction last season but regrouped after a demotion to Battle Creek. He worked with hitting coach Ty Hawkins and went back to an old stance. Sardinha displays good rhythm at the plate with a nice, fluid stroke. He's a pure hitter with more of a line-drive approach, but there's natural loft in his swing. He projects to hit lots of doubles and have above-average power. He's a plus baserunner with an innate feel for game situations. Drafted as a shortstop, Sardinha moved to left field late in 2002 and then to center to start last year. His hands and arm are fine, but his range and lack of first-step quickness are best suited for third base, where he'll move in 2004. After working year-round in Tampa in the past, Sardinha was given a break this offseason. The 2004 season will be critical in his development, as it's time for him to move forward.
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  Ranked New York Yankees #4 prospect in 2003
  Bronson was named for his mother's favorite actor, Charles Bronson. His brothers Dane (named after a Hawaiian surfer) and Duke (named for John Wayne) play in the minors for the Reds and Rockies. Sardinha signed with the Yankees for $1 million, turning down the chance to be the third Sardinha to play at Pepperdine. Sardinha has a quiet, professional approach at the plate. He's short to the ball and has learned to stay back and trust his hands. He uses the whole field and hit for surprising power in his first full pro season. He worked hard to make himself an above-average runner, and his arm strength is a plus. Scouts weren't sold on Sardinha's ability to stay at shortstop, so the Yankees sent him back to short-season Staten Island to learn to play left field. Now the question is whether he projects to hit for enough power to man a corner outfield spot. Quiet by nature, Sardinha is a baseball rat who showed tremendous progress in a short period of time. The Yankees are contemplating moving him to center field at high Class A Tampa in 2003.
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  Ranked New York Yankees #10 prospect in 2002
  Named after actor Charles Bronson, Sardinha comes from excellent Hawaiian bloodlines. His brother Dane is the Reds' No. 9 prospect after an All-America career at Pepperdine, where brother Duke currently plays. Managers rated Bronson the No. 3 prospect in the Gulf Coast League and he was regarded as the league's best pure hitter. Sardinha owns a sweet lefthanded stroke and sprays the ball to all fields. He can mash fastballs and projects to hit for slightly above-average power as he fills out. Though he likes to hit early in the count, he doesn't chase bad pitches and he does draw his fair share of walks. His instincts are excellent, and he has a plus arm and soft hands. It's not clear Sardinha will maintain the quickness to stay at shortstop as he adds muscle. He has correctable flaws in his swing, such as committing too early. The system is loaded with bright young shortstops, but the Yankees will keep Sardinha there for now. Though his advanced approach should help him make the adjustments to full-season ball, he's several years away from New York.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked New York-Penn League #4 prospect in 2002
  Sardinha began 2002 in the low Class A South Atlantic League and held his own as one of the circuit's youngest regulars, batting .263-12-44 with 15 steals. Though the Yankees insist it wasn't a demotion, he was sent to Staten Island in late July and moved from his natural position, shortstop, to the outfield. He made a quick transition with the help of his athleticism, strong arm and innate feel for the game. "He impressed me the most on his angles and going back on balls," Staten Island manager Derek Shelton said. Shelton, who managed Sardinha in the GCL last year, also praised Sardinha for the improvements he has made with his bat and his conditioning. He has tremendous balance at the plate and is rarely fooled by a pitch.
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  Ranked Florida Complex League #3 prospect in 2001
  A supplemental first-round pick of the Yankees in June, Sardinha was the highest-drafted Hawaiian high school player ever. He's the third member of his family to be drafted in the last two years, joining brothers Dane and Duke, who both played at Pepperdine. Without hesitation, managers said the lefthanded-hitting Sardinha was the best hitting prospect in the league. He has an outstanding swing and the ball jumps off his bat. The Yankees will keep Sardinha at shortstop for the time being, but it's expected he'll move to third base or even the outfield because he lacks the fluid actions and lateral movement desired for the position. The organization also is deep in shortstops. "His bat will play anywhere," Shelton said.

• December, 2000 Scouting Report
  A supplemental first-round pick of the Yankees in June, Sardinha was the highest-drafted Hawaiian high school player ever. He's the third member of his family to be drafted in the last two years, joining brothers Dane and Duke, who both played at Pepperdine. Without hesitation, managers said the lefthanded-hitting Sardinha was the best hitting prospect in the league. He has an outstanding swing and the ball jumps off his bat. The Yankees will keep Sardinha at shortstop for the time being, but it's expected he'll move to third base or even the outfield because he lacks the fluid actions and lateral movement desired for the position. The organization also is deep in shortstops. "His bat will play anywhere," Shelton said.