Prospect Retrospective: Cole Sands

[Cody Christie]

Cole Sands made his big-league debut on Sunday, and he has come a long way since being drafted by the Twins. Here’s a look back at his professional career so far.

Minnesota drafted Cole Sands in the fifth round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of Florida State University. In three collegiate seasons (228 1/3 innings), he posted a 4.73 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP and 210 strikeouts. His stock fell a little heading into the draft because of some injury concerns. However, he showed the ability to improve throughout his collegiate career as he limited his walk rate and increased his strikeout totals. 

The Twins waited for Sands to make his professional debut until the start of the 2019 season. If the team was cautious to start his career, they made up for it by pushing him through three levels in his first pro season. At Low-A, he started eight games (41 1/3 innings) and posted a 3.05 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP and a 49-to-11 strikeout to walk ratio. It was a great start to his career, but it improved after his promotion. 

Sands dominated after being promoted to High-A. Across nine starts (52 innings), he had a 2.25 ERA with a 0.83 WHIP. He struck out more than a batter per inning and only issued seven walks. He was also nearly two years younger than the average age of the competition at that level. Over 57% of his plate appearances came against older batters for the season. His final 2019 appearance came at Double-A, where he allowed two earned runs over 4.0 innings with six strikeouts.

During the 2021 campaign, Sands pitched the entire year at Double-A, and he continued to establish himself as one of the organization’s top pitching prospects. In 19 appearances (18 starts), he posted a 2.46 ERA with 1.17 WHIP and 96 strikeouts in 80 1/3 innings. After an impressive season, the Twins rewarded Sands by adding him to the 40-man roster. 

His 2022 season started off well as he posted some impressive numbers in his first two starts. In both games, he pitched five innings, and he only allowed one earned run, a home run, while striking out 12. His subsequent two appearances were disastrous as he combined to pitch 2 2/3 innings and allowed five earned runs in both outings. 

“He checks a lot of the traditional boxes that get you excited,” manager Rocco Baldelli said. “I mean he’s a big strong guy with some real arm strength and can spin the ball and can really find the strike zone and can pinpoint what he’s doing.”

Minnesota will continue to allow Sands to start games, where he has the opportunity to be a back-of-the-rotation starter. His pitch mix and stuff may also make him an intriguing late-inning reliever if the team decides to go in that direction. 

His debut didn't go perfectly, but that doesn't take away from what he has accomplished so far in his professional career. What stands out to you about Sands? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

View full article

[Doctor Gast]

I like Sands and was pleased that he got his feet wet, that's what it's all about. But IMO Smeltzer should have had the nod for the long relief spot when Winder was pomoted to SP. Even after Winder returns to long relief Smeltzer should stay on.

[GKuehl]

Definitely a beneficiary of being on the 40-man roster, as he likely didn't deserve the promotion after his last 2 outings at AAA (whereas someone like Smeltzer who maybe deserved the promotion more would have required a 40-man move since he isn't already on the 40-man). Sands looked nervous at first, but once he settled in, he looked confident and capable of getting major leaguers out. He definitely looks like another intriguing arm that our pitching pipeline is starting to churn out!

[Dman]

I like Sands as a reliever better than a starter but he has posted excellent numbers all the way through his minor league career so he could end up a starter.  He was untouchable to start the year this year and I didn't get to watch the games he got blasted in so not sure what happened there.  He throws hard with good spin and has two really good pitches so seems like reliever should be his floor. 

I was looking for him to replace Duffy in the pen once he is gone after this year as they have similar profiles.  There isn't going to be room for many starters next year with Gray, Ryan, Ober, Winder, Paddack, Maeda maybe Bundy and maybe Archer.  Also SWR, Canterino, Balazovich, and Henriquez all might have better stuff. So I think pen is most usable place for him this year and next.  I think he could be elite in the pen with his starters mix.

[roger]

What stood out to me was that his family got to the game on what, 24 hour notice?

Assume the four they kept showing were his mom, sister, brother and wife/girlfriend/sister-in-law.  When he was struggling, I thought the blonde gal was going to chew off all four fingers she was so nervous.  But what a great experience for Cole and family.

[Brandon]

What pitches does he throw?  Does anyone have a scouting report to add here?

[Seth Stohs]

1 hour ago, roger said:

What stood out to me was that his family got to the game on what, 24 hour notice?

Assume the four they kept showing were his mom, sister, brother and wife/girlfriend/sister-in-law.  When he was struggling, I thought the blonde gal was going to chew off all four fingers she was so nervous.  But what a great experience for Cole and family.

I think his family is from like Tallahassee, so I don't think it took them too long, or too much planning. 

[Seth Stohs]

1 hour ago, Brandon said:

What pitches does he throw?  Does anyone have a scouting report to add here?

FB 92-94. He has a really, really good curveball. Changeup is OK too. 

Honestly, the comp to Tyler Duffey is pretty good. Similar fastball velo, and a plus breaking ball used at different speeds. 

[Seth Stohs]

2 hours ago, GKuehl said:

Definitely a beneficiary of being on the 40-man roster, as he likely didn't deserve the promotion after his last 2 outings at AAA (whereas someone like Smeltzer who maybe deserved the promotion more would have required a 40-man move since he isn't already on the 40-man). Sands looked nervous at first, but once he settled in, he looked confident and capable of getting major leaguers out. He definitely looks like another intriguing arm that our pitching pipeline is starting to churn out!

I think I would be a big nervous making my MLB debut too. 

And yes, being on the 40-man roster is absolutely what got him the call. The fact that he could be optioned right after the game without worrying about 40-man roster implications was great. That he was able to get into a fairly low-leverage winning situation was fantastic. 

[4twinsJA]

Great for Sands to get callup and get first game jitters out of the way. Game played out perfectly for him to get opportunity. Sure he will get another chance this year, hopefully got some of the nerves out of the way.

[BD57]

Was at the game.

Being an optimist, I write off the first inning as "jitters" and like the 2nd inning a lot.

[High heat]

I’ve liked Sand but he needs to stay as a starter. I don’t see high end production from him as a reliever and seems so much better as a starter.  This won’t be the last time we see him this season.
 Go back down stay stretched out and put up # at AAA.  He also seems like a guy the Twins would use as a trade piece come July if they like Woods Richardson and Balazovic better.