On Thursday, Nick Sandlin dealt with a tough turn of occasions, stopping working to protect his 2nd save within 2 video games. Just a day after easily dispatching 3 Boston Red Sox batters on simply 9 pitches, the Toronto Blue Jays right-hander discovered himself on the losing side after yielding 2 runs in the bottom of the tenth inning. This strange game-ending circumstance unfolded with ball game connected, one out, and the bases filled. Despite his efforts to cause a ground ball, the play was mishandled, enabling a fast-moving Red Sox runner to quickly score from 3rd base.

The walk-off surface was especially notable since Andrés Giménez, the Blue Jays’ 2nd baseman, bobbled the ball and, rather of trying to make a play at home, tossed to very first base for a useless out. This play was formally tape-recorded as a 4-3 in the scorebook, showing how the video game concluded with the winning run crossing home base on what seemed a regular groundout.

This brings us back to Sandlin, who had actually captured my attention after his excellent efficiency on Wednesday. While safeguarding a narrow 2-1 lead in the 11th inning, the 28-year-old reducer started out David Hamilton on 3 pitches, then retired Rob Refsnyder with a pop nasty to the catcher. Finally, he handled to get Jarren Duran to strike a weak grounder towards Giménez. Sandlin’s pitch choice throughout that inning consisted of 2 splitters and 7 sliders, showcasing his flexibility.

Sandlin’s signature pitch is a sweeping slider, which Refsnyder highlighted when I asked about the difficulties of dealing with the low-slot pitcher.

“The angle is key,” Refsnyder discussed. “His slider just keeps moving. The first one I saw was way out of the strike zone but started in a location I was targeting. The second one was even further out, yet it originated in a good spot. I barely noticed his splitter. When I faced him with the Guardians, he demonstrated his ability to throw both a sinker and a four-seam fastball. He possesses an impressive arsenal.”

His stats likewise show his efficiency on the mound. Across 215 profession relief looks—the majority of which were with the Cleveland Guardians—Sandlin keeps a strong 3.27 PERIOD over 201 innings pitched. His 27.5% strikeout rate is good, however what sticks out is his extremely low .234 BABIP. Although his fastball averages just 91.4 miles per hour, he stands out at causing weak contact from opposing batters.

Tyler Heineman likewise weighed in on Sandlin’s efficiency, mentioning his arm slot as a considerable element.

“The angle on his four-seam fastball is exceptional,” the Blue Jays catcher kept in mind. “The slider is undoubtedly his go-to pitch, and he also features a splitter from that angle. It’s rare to see splits thrown from such a delivery. He combines a four-seamer that carries well along with a splitter, which presents hitters with a unique challenge.”

“Many hitters anticipate a two-seam fastball, so having a four-seam option in his repertoire creates additional problems for them,” included Heineman. “While the pitch itself is not particularly unique, the fact that he can mix both fastballs effectively keeps batters guessing.”

When I spoke to Sandlin throughout his novice season in 2021, he mainly depend on a sinker-slider mix, however he has considerably varied his pitch use ever since. He elaborated, “The ability to adjust my pitch direction—both east-west and north-south—allows me to tailor my approach based on the specific hitters and situations I face. A few years ago, I was predominantly east-west, but now I have a broader range of options.”

Acquiring Sandlin from the Guardians in a three-team trade last December has actually strengthened the Blue Jays’ bullpen alternatives. Despite the uncommon loss on Thursday, Sandlin is poised to supply substantial worth to Toronto this season.

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INTERESTING GAMER MATCHES: A DEEP DIVE

Rafael Palmeiro boasted an outstanding 7 for 12 record versus Mike Jackson.

Brian Giles stood out with a 7 for 11 efficiency versus Sun-Woo Kim.

Ripper Collins accomplished an exceptional 21 for 48 versus Claude Passeau.

Lyle Overbay likewise stood apart, going 7 for 11 versus Tommy Hunter.

Jesus Alou controlled with a 24 for 55 versus Steve Carlton.

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CHASE DOLLANDER: EMERGING STAR IN MAJOR LEAGUES

Chase Dollander is quickly getting acknowledgment as one of baseball’s most appealing young pitchers. Recently highlighted in FanGraphs, the 23-year-old right-hander entered this season ranked no. 12 on our 2025 Top 100 Prospects list. Just a week earlier, he made his MLB launching with the Colorado Rockies and made a win after providing a strong five-inning efficiency.

During spring training, I asked with Bud Black about which pitcher Dollander looks like.

“Every pitcher is unique,” the Rockies supervisor reacted. “However, when I observed his skills and physique—he’s a bit larger than some of his peers, and he has a lower arm slot—I couldn’t help but think of a Walker Buehler type. He has a lively arm and fastball, along with the ability to spin breaking balls, both a curve and a slider. His leg kick is relatively similar; Buehler’s is a bit higher. That’s my impression.”

Dollander made his 2nd big-league start last night, enabling 3 hits and 2 runs over 5 and two-thirds innings in a 2-0 loss to the San Diego Padres. He strolled 2 batters and started out 7, showcasing his capacity.

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TEST TIME: TEST YOUR BASEBALL UNDERSTANDING!

Which gamer holds the San Diego Padres single-season record for overall bases? (Hint: This gamer invested 4 of his 19 big-league seasons with the Padres, won 5 Gold Gloves, and completed his profession with 304 crowning achievement and 320 taken bases.)

The response can be discovered listed below.

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BASEBALL NEWS AND UPDATES

River Town has actually signed an agreement with the Atlantic League’s Long Island Ducks. The 25-year-old outfielder from Zachary, Louisiana, played within the Kansas City Royals company from 2021 to 2024. Additionally, previous Cleveland Guardians and Los Angeles Angels right-hander Zach Plesac has actually apparently likewise signed with the Ducks.

Nate Oliver, an infielder who had stints with 4 groups—mainly the Los Angeles Dodgers—from 1963 to 1969, died on April 5 at the age of 84. The St. Petersburg, Florida native significantly looked like a pinch-runner in the 1966 World Series.

Billy Smith, a right-handed pitcher who made ten looks for the Houston Astros in 1981, likewise died on April 5 at the age of 70. The La Marque, Texas native provided 7 nothing innings, making his only win in his sole big-league start.

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The response to the test is Steve Finley, who had an outstanding overall of 348 overall bases with the Padres in 1996. This underrated center fielder tape-recorded 195 hits that season, consisting of 45 doubles, 9 triples, and 30 crowning achievement.

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Last Sunday’s column included a fascinating conversation with MLB Network Radio’s Steve Phillips, where he shared his ideas on how Gregg Jefferies was the very best player he ever played along with throughout his 7 seasons as a New York Mets farmhand in the 1980s. I wondered to see who Phillips would call as his second-best player, and I expected he would pick either Jefferies or a 3rd baseman/outfielder who later on took pleasure in a 13-year big-league profession.

“Kevin Mitchell,” Phillips reacted. “When I first signed to play pro ball, I joined the Appalachian League in Kingsport, Tennessee, and he was recovering from a wrist injury. Upon his return, he immediately had three hits. In the next game, he had another three hits. He hit the ground running. Kev was one of the best teammates—I truly appreciated him—and he was also known for his big talk. But his hitting was remarkable.”

“Fielding was not his priority either,” Phillips continued. “When I made errors, I felt terrible, especially with fans voicing their opinions. But Kev was unfazed. He just hit, and when he reached the big leagues, he continued to excel at the plate. He was an incredible offensive player with great power. You might recall that Davey Johnson even experimented with playing him at shortstop to ensure his bat was in the lineup.”

Mitchell ended up with 1,173 hits, consisting of 234 crowning achievement, after making it to the majors. He was granted NL MVP honors in 1989 after striking 47 crowning achievement with the San Francisco Giants.

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Additionally, there were some insights from recently’s column where Dylan Moore shared his ideas on the one position he has actually never ever bet the Seattle Mariners. This flexible gamer has actually never ever put on the catcher’s equipment, and although he would action in if required, it’s definitely not on his list of choices.

“I’m not sure,” Moore responded when asked if he’d like to attempt capturing. “Perhaps in a situation where a position player is pitching—maybe Rowdy [Tellez]—I could go back there. But it would have to be something unusual. It would be quite daunting to face a real pitcher. Those guys throw hard, and catchers endure a lot of punishment, so it’s not something I’m particularly eager to do.”

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INTERNATIONAL BASEBALL HIGHLIGHTS

Masanori Ishikawa, a southpaw for the Yakult Swallows, made headings today by attaining an NPB record with a triumph in his 24th successive season. The 45-year-old has actually devoted his whole profession to the Tokyo-based group, boasting a record of 194-195 with a 3.80 PERIOD over 3,293 expert innings.

Tatsuya Imai showcased his skill with 8 scoreless innings in a 2-0, 12-inning loss for the Seibu Lions versus the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters last Friday. The 26-year-old right-hander has actually made 3 starts this season, enabling just 2 runs over 24 innings pitched up until now.

Kazuma Okamoto is making waves with a slash line of .404/.482/.745, consisting of 3 crowning achievement in 56 plate looks for the Yomiuri Giants. The 28-year-old outfielder/corner infielder has actually balanced 33 crowning achievement over the previous 7 seasons with the NPB club.

Jae Hyeon Lee is carrying out well, slashing .267/.405/.483 with 3 crowning achievement and a 145 wRC+ in 75 plate looks for the Samsung Lions. The 22-year-old shortstop was the Lions’ leading choice in the 2021 KBO draft.

Ruben Cardenas is making a mark with a slash line of .333/.448/.566, striking 3 crowning achievement and attaining a 180 wRC+ in 58 plate looks for the KBO’s Kiwoom Heroes. The 27-year-old outfielder formerly played 6 seasons in the States and had Triple-A experience with the Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies companies.

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The subject of bunting emerged when Oliver Marmol met press reporters before a video game at Fenway Park last weekend. The St. Louis Cardinals supervisor kept in mind that his group regularly practices the art of bunting, not just versus live pitching however likewise in the cages. This triggered me to ask whether a few of that training integrates a Trajekt maker.

“It’s a mixed approach,” Marmol responded. “We sometimes use a machine that delivers fastballs. You don’t necessarily need a live pitcher, as we also work on various pitch styles, like those offered by a Trajekt machine. A lot of it revolves around technique and barrel placement. The angle matters, whether you’re bunting against an 88 or 95 mph pitch [mph]. But the machine does have velocity; it isn’t soft.”

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During Tuesday night’s video game in between the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays, the wind chill dropped to 14 degrees Fahrenheit (minus-10 degrees Celsius) by the video game’s conclusion. This raises the concern: why wasn’t the video game rescheduled for the less freezing afternoon? Other groups, such as the Detroit Tigers and New York Mets, chose to move their night video games previously this past week to prevent the biting cold, however for factors that stay uncertain, the Red Sox picked not to do the same. Postponement was likewise dismissed.

According to discussions I had, gamer agents from both groups asked for that the video game not be played. Moreover, the Blue Jays revealed a choice for post ponement. So, what was the reasoning behind playing the video game in conditions that were better for the NFL? Reportedly, the choice was made to prevent bothering fans with tickets, however I discover that thinking suspicious. Would the sporadic presence have been any smaller sized had the video game been set up for a various time? That appears extremely not likely. Once once again, the option to continue with the video game under such unwelcoming conditions appears doubtful.

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MINORS UPDATES

Ryan Waldschmidt is off to a hot start, going 11-for-24 with 2 crowning achievement and 6 strolls in 33 plate looks for the High-A Hillsboro Hops. The 22-year-old outfielder was prepared 31st general in 2015 out of the University of Kentucky by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Braylon Payne is likewise carrying out well, with a 9-for-29 record, consisting of one crowning achievement and 6 strolls in 36 plate looks for the Low-A Carolina Mudcats. The 18-year-old outfielder was picked 17th general in 2015 out of a high school in Missouri City, Texas, by the Milwaukee Brewers.

Konnor Griffin struck his very first expert crowning achievement on Friday while betting the Low-A Bradenton Marauders. Drafted ninth general in 2015 by the Pittsburgh Pirates out of a high school in Flowood, Mississippi, the 18-year-old infielder is presently 6-for-26 in his inaugural expert season.

Felnin Celesten is making strides with a 10-for-27 record, consisting of a crowning achievement for the Low-A Modesto Nuts. The 19-year-old switch-hitting shortstop in the Seattle Mariners company ranks no. 85 on our 2025 Top 100 Prospects list.

Jack Wenninger has actually been excellent, setting out 16 batters while enabling simply 4 hits and 3 strolls over 10 innings with the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies. The 23-year-old right-hander from the University of Illinois was picked in the 6th round by the New York Mets in 2023.

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SPOTLIGHT ON AN ODD PREVIOUS GAMER

Wayne Nordhagen had a noteworthy big-league profession, collecting 401 hits and a 99 wRC+ while betting 4 groups, mainly the Chicago White Sox, in between 1976 and 1983. Hailing from Thief River Falls, Minnesota, he struck 39 crowning achievement, consisting of several video games where he homered two times. Nordhagen likewise had unforgettable minutes as a pitcher, sometimes taking the mound. In 1979, he made 2 looks for the ChiSox.

In his very first getaway, he pitched the ninth inning of a 9-1 loss versus the California Angels on May 27, setting out Carney Lansford, however quiting back-to-back triples to Rod Carew and Don Baylor. He caused a groundout from “Disco Dan” Ford before setting out Merv Rettenmund.

Eight days later on, he pitched once again, this time in a 6-0 defeat to the Milwaukee Brewers. After walking Paul Molitor, he retired Cecil Cooper on a fly ball to center however then got Sal Bando to ground into a double play.

Overall, the .282 player tape-recorded 1,500 plate looks, attaining a 9.00 period throughout his pitching getaways. Interestingly, Kevin Millar is Nordhagen’s nephew.

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ENGAGING LINKS FOR BASEBALL LOVERS

Frank Robinson made history on April 8, 1975, as MLB’s very first Black supervisor, and his launching stays substantial to those who saw it. Justice B. Hill discussed this minute in Andscape.

At Pittsburgh Baseball Now, John Perrotto covered how the Pirates company honored his daddy’s memory.

In The Athletic, Brittany Ghiroli and Cody Stavenhagen reported on why Sam Menzin is no longer an assistant basic supervisor with the Detroit Tigers (membership needed).

MLB is significantly bring in personal equity financiers in action to substantial modifications in gamer wages and media rights. Lillian Rizzo has the complete story at CNBC Sport.

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FASCINATING REALITIES AND STATS

The Texas Rangers got in last night’s video games at the top of the AL West with a record of 9-5, regardless of having a minus-10 run differential. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Reds remained in 4th location in the NL Central with a record of 6-8 and a plus-4 run differential.

Jackson Chourio of the Milwaukee Brewers and Jacob Wilson of the Oakland Athletics each tape-recorded 21 hits without a walk this season. Chourio is slashing .313/.309/.657, while Wilson stands at .368/.368/.544.

Joe Ryan, a right-hander for the Minnesota Twins, boasts an ideal 7-0 record with an exceptional 1.31 period in 9 profession begins versus the Kansas City Royals.

Aaron Judge has an outstanding combined batting average of .438, going 28-for-64 with 13 crowning achievement versus the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants. Conversely, he has a lower average of .218, striking 17-for-78 with simply 2 crowning achievement versus the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals.

Kirk Gibson played in 1,636 video games, attaining 569 extra-base hits and 2,686 overall bases. In contrast, Eric Hosmer played in 1,689 video games, with 540 extra-base hits and 2,709 overall bases.

On this date in 1926, Walter Johnson pitched a total video game on Opening Day, leading the Washington Senators to a 1-0 success over the Philadelphia Athletics in 15 innings. Eddie Rommel, who likewise pitched a total video game, was the regrettable losing pitcher.

On this date in 1999, the Arizona Diamondbacks rallied for 3 runs in the bottom of the 16th inning to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-6. Kelly Stinnett connected the video game with a two-run crowning achievement, followed by Dante Powell driving in the winning run with a double.

Notable gamers born upon this date consist of Ed Amelung, who appeared in 42 video games for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1984 to 1986. His initially 2 video games and his last video game were 1-0 success for the Dodgers, where the opposing groups tape-recorded just 2 hits. Amelung himself tallied 11 hits, 4 of which came versus Mario Soto.

Also born upon this date was Jim Schelle, who is amongst a choose couple of gamers in MLB history with an unlimited period. On July 23, 1939, he pitched for the Philadelphia Athletics, dealing with 5 batters without retiring any. His only big-league look led to a hit-by-pitch, a single, and 3 strolls, causing 3 made runs.

Cinders O’Brien assembled a 22-17 record for the National League’s Cleveland Spiders in 1889 and an 8-16 record for the Players League’s Cleveland Infants in 1890. Tragically, he died from pneumonia at the age of 24 after completing with an 18-13 record for the Boston Reds in 1891.