Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | CLE | RHP | 24 | 45 |
Grades Update: Nov 2020
| OFP | Role | FB | SL | CH | Ctr/Cmd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | 40 | 45 | 50 | 45 | 55/50 |
Nov 2020 Report
Evaluator: Justin Lada
Age: 24 yr
Height: 5-11
Weight: 175 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2018 Draft - Round 2
RuleV: 2021
Physical Description: Undersized pitchers build. Small frame. Not much length for wingspan. Ordinary, everyday slim build. Does show athleticism in delivery but not a physical body or arm. Protoypical sidearmers build that relies on funk and deception to make up for lack of physicality.
Delivery & Mechanics: Works from the stretch and third base side of the rubber. Hunched over before getting into the load. Works upper half down with a leg lift. Drops arms behind the front leg, which gives him deception. Despite funky delivery manages to get into position to lower upper half and get good stride length for his size and create force headed towards the plate. Has a big arm swing before getting strike foot down. True sidearm delivery and repeats it well. Will quick-pitch and throw from a three quarter arm slot to give hitters different looks as well.
Fastball: 90-93. Tops at 95. Below average spin and velocity but does have good, late sinking action. Good command of the pitch both inside to right handers and arm side to left handers even with late sink. Deception helps it play above grade and late action help it get to fringe-average despite lack of velocity and spin. Grade: 45
Slider: 80-82. Late, tight 10-4 break but can also manipulate the shape with more sweeping action. Reportedly above average spin. Can throw it for strikes despite the sweeping break. Expands hitters zones from both sides of the plate. A swing and miss pitch thanks to its action and the difficult arm angle he spins it from. Grade: 50
Changeup: 76-78. Solid separation from the fastball. Good sinking action. More arm side run than vertical drop. Effective enough to keep left handers honest. Grade: 45
Control and Command: Hits the zone with ease with his fastball to all quadrants of the strike zone. Attacks hitters early in the count and rarely falls behind. He can front door the slider to right handed hitters with ease and bury it down and in to left handed hitters. His changeup command is a little more fringy but he has easy above- average command with the fastball and slider. Walks shouldn't be a major concern for him. Control: 55 | Command: 50
Overall: A forearm fracture and subsequent surgery are probably the only reason why Sandlin is still on this list. He was expected to be one of the first players from the 2018 draft to make it to the majors. He's a funk/deception reliever over plus stuff or velo, though the slider could be an above-average offering for him. He has above average command and that combined with his funky sidearm slot, deception, and the athleticism to throw in a quick pitch/fastball from a higher arm slot at times gives him more than enough to compete as a middle relief option who can miss some bats and will avoid free passes. Should be ready to compete for a job at the start of 2021.
OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Low Leverage Reliever
Risk: Low
