IP | 20.2 |
---|---|
ERA | 6.97 |
WHIP | 1.65 |
BB/9 | 2.61 |
SO/9 | 11.32 |
- Full name David Eleck Sandlin
- Born 02/21/2001 in Owasso, OK
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Oklahoma
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Drafted in the 11th round (325th overall) by the Kansas City Royals in 2022 (signed for $400,000).
View Draft Report
The “Sand Man” played an integral part in the Sooners 2022 campaign by providing consistency as well as a four-pitch mix that should serve him well at the next level. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound righty transferred to Oklahoma after a successful stint at Eastern Oklahoma State JC. Sandlin just a year ago relied heavily on a split-change for his putaway pitch, with a slider that was essentially nonexistent. Now, he pitches with a fastball/slider/changeup/curveball combination that saw him have success in the Sooners’ weekend rotation. Sandlin’s fastball sits 92-94 mph and touches 95 on occasion. He can work it in and out as well as elevate it when needed. His slider has shorter, downward three-quarter break that’s effective against righthanded hitters when located. To lefties Sandlin will mix in his 82-84 mph changeup with downward, fading action when timed up. He will also land a curveball for strike one on occasion, showing hitters a different offering, but will rely on his other pitches for putting them away. When Sandlin has all his pitches working, he’s a handful. His command does suffer at times, and he catches too much of the plate, which makes him susceptible to damage. However, Sandlin’s pitching in the College World Series on the biggest stage has produced solid momentum for him heading into the July draft.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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BA Grade: 45/High
Track Record: Sandlin was a successful pitcher at Eastern Oklahoma State JC before transferring to Oklahoma in 2022, where he started for a Sooners team that reached the College World Series. The Royals signed him to an above-slot $397,500 bonus that year in the 11th round. Sandlin was dynamic in his full-season debut in 2023, striking out 79 and walking 13 in 12 starts for Low-A Columbia. He was promoted to High-A Quad Cities on June 23 and made a pair of starts before a lat injury ended his season. Sandlin’s 25.5 K-BB% ranked 11th among minor league starters with at least 50 innings.
Scouting Report: While he has a four-pitch mix, Sandlin relies most heavily on the mid-90s fastball that touches 97 mph and has above-average ride. Sandlin’s preferred secondary is a mid-80s slider with horizontal break and high spin rates. He also throws a low-80s curveball with two-plane break and bite, and he mixes in a changeup that breaks like a splitter as well. He’s still refining his arsenal--especially his secondaries--so there’s a chance they continue to improve. The fastball and slider are above-average offerings right now, and some believe he may profile best in the bullpen, where he can dominate with those pitches alone.
The Future: Sandlin is a sleeper who could take a jump forward in 2024 if he improves the rest of his arsenal. He should begin the year with High-A Quad Cities.
Scouting Grades Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50
Draft Prospects
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School: Oklahoma Committed/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.4
The “Sand Man” played an integral part in the Sooners 2022 campaign by providing consistency as well as a four-pitch mix that should serve him well at the next level. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound righty transferred to Oklahoma after a successful stint at Eastern Oklahoma State JC. Sandlin just a year ago relied heavily on a split-change for his putaway pitch, with a slider that was essentially nonexistent. Now, he pitches with a fastball/slider/changeup/curveball combination that saw him have success in the Sooners’ weekend rotation. Sandlin’s fastball sits 92-94 mph and touches 95 on occasion. He can work it in and out as well as elevate it when needed. His slider has shorter, downward three-quarter break that’s effective against righthanded hitters when located. To lefties Sandlin will mix in his 82-84 mph changeup with downward, fading action when timed up. He will also land a curveball for strike one on occasion, showing hitters a different offering, but will rely on his other pitches for putting them away. When Sandlin has all his pitches working, he’s a handful. His command does suffer at times, and he catches too much of the plate, which makes him susceptible to damage. However, Sandlin’s pitching in the College World Series on the biggest stage has produced solid momentum for him heading into the July draft. -
When Sandlin committed to Eastern Oklahoma State JC, he had yet to throw a pitch for his varsity team in high school. At the time he was a junior varsity pitcher sitting in the mid 80s, but his delivery was good and it seemed apparent that once he got strong enough to take advantage of his long arms and broad shoulders, he’d be intriguing. It took a little while for it all to click. Sandlin still sat only 87-89 mph in his 2020 freshman year, but when he went home due to the coronavirus pandemic, he embraced the school’s personalized throwing program. He showed up for the 2021 season sitting 92--94 mph and touching 98. Now that he’s armed with a plus fastball, his 84-88 mph splitter has turned into an above-average pitch as well. It’s hard and has a late dive toward the dirt. Sandlin’s average slider has some depth and sweep. Sandlin is committed to Oklahoma. Sandlin doesn’t have many innings on his arm and should continue to add strength to his 6-foot-4, 200-pound frame.