Prospect David Sandlin heard from some members of the Red Sox organization after Pitching WRX posted an Instagram video of him reaching 101 mph during the offseason.
Red Sox prospect David Sandlin pitches in the Futures at Fenway South game Friday. (Courtesy of Worcester Red Sox, Ashley Green)WooSox/Ashley Green
“(Director of pitching Justin) Willard messaged me and some of the other guys this offseason and said it doesn’t matter until it happens out here. That’s when it really counts,” Sandlin said Friday after pitching in the Futures at Fenway South game here at JetBlue Park.
The 24-year-old started for the Red Sox. He pitched 2 ⅔ innings in a 6-4 win over the Twins prospects. He struck out seven of the 12 batters he faced.
He allowed two runs, two hits and two walks. His fastball was up to 99 mph and it sat in the mid-90s.
“Anytime getting out here at this beautiful ballpark is special,” Sandlin said. “It’s my first time, so it was good to get that under my belt. I’m excited to get back into game situations.”
Sandlin, who Boston acquired from the Royals for reliever John Schreiber last Feb. 17, reached 100.4 mph with his fastball in a minor league game in 2024.
MassLive has him ranked No. 7 on its Top 25 Red Sox prospect list. Baseball America also ranked him seventh in the system.
This not only was Sandlin’s first time ever throwing in front of fans here at JetBlue Park. It was also his 2025 spring training debut.
He struck out six batters swinging and one looking.
“It felt good,” he said. “Still obviously stuff to clean up there at the end. Just working on some stuff, still out there trying to treat it like spring training but it felt good. Felt like the cutter and the slider were working really good paired with the fastball. So just gotta work on the curveball and the splitter now.”
He worked on different slider and splitter grips throughout the 2024 season.
He wants the splitter to be a weapon vs. lefties.
“Still toying with different grips and everything,” he said. “Trying to get one that has more consistent results and is easily repeatable.”
He’s a strike thrower but he knows he needs to improve his command within the zone.
“Living in all parts of the zone,” he said. “Kind of executing offspeeds with two strikes at the edges of the zone. And of course just maintaining fastball velocity longer throughout outings and so building velo there.”
Sandlin finished last season at Double-A Portland where he made eight starts.
“My expectation is to start the year in Portland,” he said. “Wherever they send me, that’s where my feet will be. And I’ll give it my best ability to give them the best player every time I’m out there and try to force their hand, make them move me up.”
