This is the year the Richmond Flying Squirrels are living up to their name: They’re flying high.

Sandro Fabian is providing much of the upward thrust.

The 24-year-old right-fielder from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, has been the squad’s most productive hitter this month.

Since the start of June, Fabian has a home run, five doubles and nine runs batted in to lift the Squirrels to 21-15 in the AA Northeast League.

During that spell, his average has soared from .184 (after 18 games) to the current .284.

Manager José Alguacil’s AA affiliate of the San Francisco Giants looks as though it may break from a five-year famine in the standings.

The Squirrels have not enjoyed a winning season since going 72-68 in 2015. In 2019, they were 55-84. The 2020 season was canceled because of the pandemic.

Fabian signed with the San Francisco Giants at age 18 for a $500,000 bonus, making him one of the richest teenagers in his country. Despite a strong skill set, he has moved slowly through the organization.

Richmond is the highest level he has performed. Swinging hard at The Diamond, he has displayed gap power at the plate while at times showing off an exceptional arm.

In 2018, Fabian was rated to have the best throwing arm in minor league baseball by Baseball America.

The Squirrels are currently on a 12-game road trip to play the Somerset Patriots in Bridgewater, N.J., an affiliate of the New York Yankees, and the Hartford Yard Goats in Hartford, Conn., an affiliate of the Colorado Rockies.

The Flying Squirrels return to The Diamond on June 29 to begin a six-game series with Binghamton Rumble Ponies of Binghamton, N.Y., an affiliate of the New York Mets.