Red Sox Prospect Will Do ‘Whatever It Takes’ To Earn MLB Promotion

The Boston Red Sox generated plenty of buzz last week when they announced the promotions of top pitching prospects Payton Tolle and David Sandlin to Triple-A Worcester.

The pair dazzled on the mound for Double-A Portland this summer, and it was revealed recently that the Red Sox front office has not ruled out the possibility of a Major League promotion for either pitcher later this season.

The promotion to Worcester also included a role change for Sandlin. The hard-throwing right-hander was moved to Worcester’s bullpen, despite starting 14 games between Double-A and Triple-A this season — including pitching six innings of a combined no-hitter on June 22. With a pitch arsenal that includes a fastball that can touch 100 mph, a future in Boston’s bullpen is a very intriguing possibility.

Speaking to Rob Bradford on the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast, Sandlin was asked if his recent move to the bullpen caught him off guard. The 24-year-old spoke about his willingness to do whatever the Red Sox organization expected of him, especially if that flexibility would accelerate his path to the big leagues this season.

“When we showed up for spring training, I knew it was a possibility in conversations with the organization and everything,” said Sandlin to Bradford. “I told them I was willing to do whatever it took. I said, ‘My goal this year is to help the big league team and make an impact at the big league level.’ And I said, ”Whatever it takes to get up there, whatever it takes to help the team, I’m 100% game.'”

Sandlin was aware a move to the bullpen was possible, even after earning a start in his Triple-A debut.

“I kind of knew it subconsciously that it was a possibility,” said Sandlin. “I had the first start, and then I think it was on Sunday — Saturday or Sunday is when they kind of broke it to me. And when you hear it now, you’re like, ‘OK, now I get it.”

Sandlin is 2-0 with seven strikeouts and a 4.26 ERA across 6 1/3 innings for Worcester since his promotion.He’s currently ranked by MLB.com as the No.11 prospect in the Red Sox organization.