Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50 | Overall: 40 

Sandlin was part of an all-prospect rotation in 2021 at Eastern Oklahoma State JC, joining Christian McGowan (who signed with the Phillies as a seventh-rounder) and Andrew Walling (who pitched three innings this year at Mississippi State after transferring). Sandlin moved on to Oklahoma, where he had an up-and-down regular season before coming up big repeatedly in the postseason. He struck out 10 in a win over Kansas State in the Big 12 Conference tournament, beat Florida in the NCAA regionals and fanned 12 in a College World Series victory over Texas A&M. 

Sandlin's best pitch is a 78-80 mph curveball with depth and horizontal action that flashes plus, though he doesn't use it as often as his solid 82-85 mph slider with more lateral movement. The key for him at the next level will be missing more bats with his fastball, which sits at 91-93 mph and tops out at 96 with a bit of armside run. He'll also have to refine a mid-80s changeup that needs more velocity separation from his heater and more fade to be effective. 

Though Sandlin throws strikes, his control isn't as advanced as his command. He'll need to add more power or life to his fastball, which gets pounded when he leaves it in the middle of the zone. If he can't make the necessary adjustments, he could become a breaking ball-heavy reliever. 

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Splitter: 50 | Control: 55 | Overall: 45

Part of a loaded rotation in 2021 at Eastern Oklahoma State JC with Christian McGowan and Andrew Walling (both now in the Phillies system), Sandler transferred to Oklahoma for 2022. After an inconsistent regular season with the Sooners, he struck out 10 in a win over Kansas State in the Big 12 Conference tournament, beat Florida in the NCAA regionals and fanned 12 in a College World Series victory over Texas A&M to earn an over-slot $397,500 bonus as a Royals 11th-rounder. He dominated Single-A hitters last season but strained his oblique in his second start after a promotion to High-A and missed the final three months, then joined the Red Sox in a February trade for John Schreiber.

Sandlin's four-pitch mix and strike-throwing ability allowed him to post a 79/13 K/BB ratio in Single-A in 2023. His fastball parks at 93-95 mph and peaks at 98 with riding action that's effective when he operates up in the zone. He always has demonstrated nice feel for spin and has a pair of solid breaking balls, favoring his mid-80s slider over his low-80s curveball with downer break.

Sandlin also gets good depth on his upper-80s splitter, though it doesn't have enough velocity separation from his heater to serve as a true change of pace. While he never has had any issues providing strikes with his easy delivery, his command isn't as sharp as his control and his fastball gets hit when he doesn't locate it well. He'll need more consistency and refinement, but he immediately became one of the best starting pitching prospects in a Boston system thin in that commodity.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50 | Overall: 40

Sandlin spent two years at Eastern Oklahoma State JC before transferring to Oklahoma, where he endured an inconsistent 2022 spring (5.59 ERA, 102 strikeouts in 95 innings). He was at his best in the postseason, however, culminating in a 12-strikeout effort in the College World Series against Texas A&M, and he received an over-slot $397,500 bonus from the Royals in the 11th round. He earned a promotion to High-A midway though his first full pro season but injured his oblique after two starts there and missed the final three months. Sandlin came to the Red Sox in a February 2024 trade that sent John Schreiber to Kansas City.

Sandlin's fastball sits at 93-95 mph and he’ll top out around 98 with some carry that further fuels his ability to get whiffs. He stood out more for his breaking pitches in college, and it’s his 84-87 mph slider that has taken the step ahead so far in pro ball with good horizontal movement. He’ll still go to his 79-82 mph curveball for a different look, while his upper-80s changeup needs more separation to be even an average option.

Sandlin throws enough strikes to give himself a starting shot at every level, but there are times when he catches too much of the plate. As his velo has picked up and his slider remains a promising option, there’s always the possibility he could lean on his two best pitches in a future bullpen role.

Awards

CAR Pitcher of the Week

Week	Team
06/11/2023

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	07/23/2024	RHP David Sandlin assigned to Portland Sea Dogs from Greenville Drive.
	06/15/2024	Greenville Drive activated RHP David Sandlin from the 7-day injured list.
	05/14/2024	Greenville Drive placed RHP David Sandlin on the 7-day injured list.
	03/07/2024	Boston Red Sox Prospects activated RHP David Sandlin.
	02/17/2024	Boston Red Sox traded RHP John Schreiber to Kansas City Royals for RHP David Sandlin.
	02/17/2024	RHP David Sandlin assigned to Greenville Drive.
	11/06/2023	Quad Cities River Bandits activated RHP David Sandlin from the 60-day injured list.
	07/25/2023	Quad Cities River Bandits transferred RHP David Sandlin from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.
	07/03/2023	Quad Cities River Bandits placed RHP David Sandlin on the 7-day injured list.
	07/03/2023	Quad Cities River Bandits placed RHP David Sandlin on the 7-day injured list.
	06/20/2023	RHP David Sandlin assigned to Quad Cities River Bandits from Columbia Fireflies.
	04/03/2023	RHP David Sandlin assigned to Columbia Fireflies from ACL Royals.
	08/22/2022	RHP David Sandlin assigned to ACL Royals.
	07/24/2022	Kansas City Royals signed RHP David Sandlin.
	06/11/2022	RHP David Sandlin and assigned to College Workout.
	06/11/2022	College Workout activated RHP David Sandlin.
	02/04/2022	RHP David Sandlin assigned to Oklahoma Sooners.