Sardinha was a high school standout; prior to his senior year, USA Today named him a "Super 25 preseason selection," while Baseball America named him a third-team All-American. Fresno State University and Pepperdine University recruited him, and he was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the second round. Sardinha then attended Pepperdine from 1997 to 2000.\n', '

In 1999, as a sophomore, Sardinha batted .365 with 15 home runs and 63 RBI. Baseball America selected him as a Third Team College All American catcher and he was also a West Coast Conference All-Star. In 2000, his junior season he batted .353 with 17 home runs and 72 RBIs. Baseball America selected him as a First Team College All American catcher, he was the West Coast Conference Player of the Year and, again, a West Coast Conference All-Star catcher.\n', '

The Kansas City Royals drafted Sardinha in the second round (59th pick overall) of the 1997 Major League Baseball draft, but Sardinha did not sign. Then one of the most sought-after prospects in the country, he demanded a signing bonus between $1 million and $1.5 million on the advice of agent Scott Boras, but the Royals topped out at $750,000. Sardinha was selected again in 2000, this time by the Cincinnati Reds, as a 2nd round draft pick (46th overall). In lieu of a bonus the Reds signed Sardinha to a six-year contract with a guaranteed payout, regardless of whether he made it to the majors. As part of the deal the Reds placed Sardinha on the 40-man roster.\n', '

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