Chicago Cubs: Top 30 Prospects- No. 20 to No. 11

#18 Carson Sands (LHP)

2015 Stats (Eugene Emeralds)

3-4, 3.92 ERA, 14 GS, 57 1/3 IP, 62 H, 41 K

Sands was drafted by the Cubs in the 4th round of the 2014 draft.  Sands, drafted out of high school, signed for $1.1 million. At just-20 years-old, he already has a few years of pro ball under his belt.

Sands projects as a middle of the rotation southpaw. He has a fastball that is displayed at 90-95 mph with arm side run, a 12-6 break on his curveball and a bit of fade on his average change-up.

His best pitch is his fastball, but he also has a solid slider to add to his repertoire. Sands played for short-season Eugene last year and had some success in 14 starts. He complied a 3.92 ERA in 57 1/3 innings pitched. His stuff has not been that sharp in pro ball so far, but with a 6-foot-3 frame, he should be able to regain that sharpness as he adds strength.

Sands is still a few ways off from making it to the big leagues. Having not even played a full season of pro ball, he won’t be making to the big leagues until at least 2018. Sands was ranked at #14 during the preseason, so he has dropped a few spots.