The astonishingly competitive New York Yankees prospect Donny Sands is under today’s Elite Sports NY’s spotlight.
By Christian Kouroupakis
Last week, we profiled a 2015 New York Yankees draft pick Trey Amburgey and now we’ll take a look at Donny Sands who was also a member of that draft class.
Sands was taken in the eighth round (243rd overall) out of Salpointe Catholic High School in Arizona in last year’s draft and some would say he flew well under the radar in the draft due to the fact that he was not on the showcase circuit.
New York thankfully had an idea on what kind of players Sands was especially after he played on one of their scouting teams and impressed scouts at a workout in Tampa. Scouts raved not over his results, although they loved those too, but they fell in love with his approach, work ethic, and competitive nature.
Sands stands at a respectable six-foot-two and 190-pounds and packs an impressive right-handed bat. In 2015, the third baseman won the 2015 West Region honors and 2013 Underclass High Honorable Mention.
MLB Pipeline says the 19-year-old’s two greatest features are his quick hands and a “fluid right-handed swing.”
In his first go-around with the Gulf Coast League Yankees, Sands slashed .309/.405/.364 with 26 RBI while demonstrating power to the gap, he has the potential to transfer his power over to the long-ball and hit 15-20 home runs a year.
In seven games for the Riverdogs in 2015, Sands went 9-for-29 (.310). Here are his scouting grades:
Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 45 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45
In high school, Sands was a star and played shortstop and even pitched for Salpointe Catholic. His career average was .450 and impressively struck out 38 batters in 23 1/3 innings.
Right now, for the Charleston Riverdogs, Sands’ home is at third base. Pipeline says he has hands and a quality arm to become an average defender at third base at the very least. The Yankees also plan on giving him some time as a catcher.
Sands also had a commitment to the University of New Mexico, but chose the Yankees’ $100,000 offer to play ball for a club in which he always admired.
There’s still a ton of development left to be done, but a 19-year old that is tearing it up in the organization with insane work ethics is nothing but a positive note.
With experience mixing in with his natural abilities and enhanced by his ethics, we may only be a few years away from hearing his name be called in the Bronx.
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