Unowned
Cole Sands, P
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Scouting report
I wrote in last year's list that Sands' stuff is nasty enough that were it not for his long history of injuries, he'd be in the 40+ or 45 FV tier on this list. Because of the minor league shutdown he wasn't able to work a full season of innings and begin to quell those concerns, but analysts from other teams saw a change in his pitch data that indicates he might really blow up this year if he's healthy and can pitch a full slate. His fastball will creep into the mid-90s with big time tail, the kind that can run off the hip of left-handed hitters and back over the plate. He also has a sweeping, two-plane breaking ball that's consistently plus and now has more spin, velocity, and lateral action than it did last season. I don't know if the change is mechanical in nature or if it has impacted the characteristics of Sands' fastball, which spins a lot and missed bats despite limited vertical movement in 2019. And again, there have been lots of injury hiccups here. Sands was on the 60-day IL in 2018 and made three IL trips in 2019, though one was for a blister and another for a calf strain, not arm stuff. Sands will be 24 soon and needs to be put on the 40-man next offseason, so his 2021 health and performance are important. (Fall Instructional League)