Carson

Sands

He finished with four strikeouts while allowing just one walk. The victory snapped a three-start winless streak for Sands. Opponents have hit just .215 against the right-hander this year and have yet to homer off him in 200 at-bats. Unfortunately his K/BB sits at a disappointing 1.26 (34 Ks, 27 BB). He’ll need to correct that if he wants a promotion to High-A Myrtle Beach at some point this year.

The 23-year-old signed with the Cubs for $1.1 million after being selected out of high school as a fourth round pick in 2014. He never advanced above Class-A and posted a disappointing 5.37 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 128/97 K/BB ratio across his 171 innings in the minor leagues.

Sands held Wisconsin to four hits and three walks in his longest outing of the season. The 21-year-old has been far from dominant this year, registering a mediocre 4.43 ERA in four starts. He’s also walked 10 hitters in 20 1/3 innings with only 11 strikeouts. On the bright side, Sands remains undefeated while six of the 10 runs he’s allowed this year came in one start. Sands is a work in progress but he’s going to get better.

The Cubs were able to sign Sands, their fourth-round pick this past June, to an above-slot bonus with the money saved on first-rounder Kyle Schwarber and second-rounder Jake Stinnett. The 19-year-old left-hander has been outstanding to begin his professional career, allowing just one earned run (0.56 ERA) in 16 innings while striking out 16 batters. Sands likely will open the 2015 season at Short Season Boise, but it shouldn’t take him long to reach a full-season level.