Prospect Retrospective: Cole Sands

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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.

Was at the game.

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

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.