Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45
There were signability concerns about Sandoval as he finished his high school career in the San Diego area, but the Astros were able to woo the left-hander away from his Southern California commitment by giving him $900,000 in the 11th round of the 2015 Draft. The left-hander made very little progress as a pro until 2018, when he earned a promotion from the Midwest to the Carolina League before being sent to the Angels for catcher Martin Maldonado close to the Trade Deadline, and he finished the year up one more level in Double-A.
The Angels might have gotten on the Sandoval train at precisely the right time as he turned in one of the best performances of any left-handed pitching prospect in the game in 2018. While there isn't a true plus pitch in his arsenal, Sandoval does have three above-average offerings and showed tremendous feel for all of them during his breakout. While his fastball averaged at 91 mph, it played up because of its movement and his command of it. The biggest difference maker last year might have been the development of his changeup, which he throws with terrific arm speed and deception, leading to both swings and misses as well as weak contact. His slow, deep curve also flashes plus and he effectively mixes in a slider.
Doubters will want to see Sandoval repeat his success. If he does that, he could be a No. 4 type starter and a steal for the Angels organization. Statcast - Pitching Season Pitches Batted Balls Barrels Barrel % Exit Velocity Launch Angle XBA XSLG WOBA XWOBA XWOBACON Hard Hit % K % BB % 2019 714 107 6 5.6 86.6 7.5 .255 .405 .322 .326 .387 34.6 24.9 11.2 ALL 714 107 6 5.6 86.6 7.5 .255 .405 .322 .326 .387 34.6 24.9 11.2 MLB 40553 6.3 87.5 11.2 .251 .412 .317 .318 .371 34.5 21.7 8.3 Transactions Team Date Transaction 08/05/2019 Los Angeles Angels selected the contract of LHP Patrick Sandoval from Salt Lake Bees. 05/04/2019 LHP Patrick Sandoval assigned to Salt Lake Bees from Mobile BayBears. 03/24/2019 LHP Patrick Sandoval assigned to Los Angeles Angels. 08/16/2018 LHP Patrick Sandoval assigned to Mobile BayBears from Inland Empire 66ers. 07/26/2018 Los Angeles Angels traded C Martin Maldonado to Houston Astros for LHP Patrick Sandoval and Future Considerations. 07/26/2018 LHP Patrick Sandoval assigned to Inland Empire 66ers. 06/27/2018 LHP Patrick Sandoval assigned to Buies Creek Astros from Quad Cities River Bandits. 04/24/2018 LHP Patrick Sandoval assigned to Quad Cities River Bandits from Tri-City ValleyCats. 04/21/2018 LHP Patrick Sandoval assigned to Tri-City ValleyCats from Quad Cities River Bandits. 07/11/2017 LHP Patrick Sandoval assigned to Quad Cities River Bandits from Tri-City ValleyCats. 06/19/2017 LHP Patrick Sandoval assigned to Tri-City ValleyCats from Buies Creek Astros. 05/14/2017 LHP Patrick Sandoval assigned to Buies Creek Astros from Greeneville Astros. 06/22/2016 LHP Patrick Sandoval assigned to Greeneville Astros from GCL Astros. 07/25/2015 LHP Patrick Sandoval assigned to GCL Astros. 07/07/2015 Houston Astros signed LHP Patrick Sandoval.
