2026 Stats
W-L
0-0
ERA
0.00
WHIP
0.00
K
0
SV
0
Rest-of-Season Projections
2026 Fantasy Outlook
Sands had a breakout season as a reliever in 2024, but he took a step back last season with just a 21.4 percent strikeout rate, down from 29.1 percent. He has a five-pitch arsenal and decent velocity (94.8 mph average fastball), but has lacked consistency with his off-speed pitches. He'll be in the setup mix for the Twins again this season and could get significant save chances if he can return to his 2025 strikeout rate. Read Past Outlooks
Signed a one-year, $1.1 million contract with the Twins in January of 2026.
Twins still undecided on closer
Sands will have a prominent role in high-leverage situations in the Minnesota bullpen, but manager Derek Shelton said he'll figure out who will close games as the season progresses, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. "It's going to be a little bit of a meritocracy. Guys are going to pitch themselves in or out of certain roles. We have to monitor that as the season starts," said Shelton.
Analysis
The Twins closer situation remains a mystery even after spring training has concluded, but Sands may get the first chance to close games as the most prominent right-handed pitcher in the bullpen. However, Taylor Rogers and Justin Topa will likely also figure into the mix.
The Twins closer situation remains a mystery even after spring training has concluded, but Sands may get the first chance to close games as the most prominent right-handed pitcher in the bullpen. However, Taylor Rogers and Justin Topa will likely also figure into the mix.
Pitching Stats
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2026 MLB Game Log
2026
2025
2024
2023
2022
Minor League Game Log
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Left/Right Pitching Splits
Since 2024
-15%
BAA vs RHP
2026
No Stats
| BAA | K | BB | H | HR | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since 2024vs Left | .252 | 59 | 18 | 60 | 7 | |||
| Since 2024vs Right | .215 | 90 | 13 | 64 | 6 | |||
| 2026vs Left | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2026vs Right | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2025vs Left | .242 | 26 | 11 | 32 | 4 | |||
| 2025vs Right | .241 | 38 | 8 | 33 | 3 | |||
| 2024vs Left | .264 | 33 | 7 | 28 | 3 | |||
| 2024vs Right | .193 | 52 | 5 | 31 | 3 | |||
| More Splits→ | View More Split Stats | |||||||
Home/Away Pitching Splits
Since 2024
-3%
ERA on Road
2026
No Stats
| ERA | WHIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since 2024Home | 3.95 | 1.10 | 79.2 | 9.7 | 2.4 | ||||
| Since 2024Away | 3.82 | 1.05 | 63.2 | 8.9 | 1.4 | ||||
| 2026Home | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2026Away | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2025Home | 5.26 | 1.22 | 39.1 | 7.8 | 2.5 | ||||
| 2025Away | 3.58 | 1.10 | 32.2 | 8.3 | 2.2 | ||||
| 2024Home | 2.68 | 0.99 | 40.1 | 11.6 | 2.2 | ||||
| 2024Away | 4.06 | 1.00 | 31.0 | 9.6 | 0.6 | ||||
| More Splits→ | View More Split Stats | ||||||||
Stat Review
How does Cole Sands compare to other relievers?
This section compares his stats with all relief pitcher seasons from the previous three seasons (minimum 30 innings)*. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that stat and it would be considered average.
* Exit Velocity, Barrels/BBE %, Balls Hit 95+ MPH %, and Spin Rate are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 30 IP). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
* Exit Velocity, Barrels/BBE %, Balls Hit 95+ MPH %, and Spin Rate are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 30 IP). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
K/BB
3.37K/9
8.0BB/9
2.4HR/9
0.9Fastball
94.8 mphERA
4.50WHIP
1.17BABIP
.294GB/FB
1.27Left On Base
58.0%Exit Velocity
81.9 mphBarrels/BBE
6.5%Spin Rate
2193 rpmBalls Hit 95+ MPH
27.9%Swinging Strike
9.8%Prospect Rankings History
Advanced Pitching Stats
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Defensive Stats
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Stats Vs Today's Lineup
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2025
2024
2023
Sands, a 2018 fifth-round pick, was a bit of an afterthought as a swingman, but emerged as a solid contributor in a setup role last season. He saw a significant improvement in his velocity (to 95.5 mph average fastball from 93.6 mph in 2023) and improved control (1.5 BB/9). He increased the use of his cutter which went from a below average pitch (-2 run value per Baseball Savant) to a weapon (+7 run value). He may have been a little lucky with a 7.4 HR/FB%, but he could find a steady role as a setup man even if his skill set takes a slight step back. He could be a sneaky source of holds as a result.
More Fantasy News
Remains in closer competition
Twins manager Derek Shelton said he has no idea who his closer will be this season, but Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports that Sands is still a possibility. "I'm still trying to figure it out. Sometimes, that's the answer where you're trying not to answer it," Shelton said. "I've probably done that before. But right now, I'm trying to figure it out. I don't think we have an idea of what's going to happen."
Analysis
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Avoids arbitration with Twins
The Twins and Sands avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.1 million contract Thursday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.
Analysis
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Earns save Tuesday
Sands tossed a perfect ninth frame to earn a save Tuesday over the Rangers.
Analysis
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Escapes with win in blown save
Sands (4-4) blew the save but came away with the win Friday against the Diamondbacks, striking one while allowing four runs on four hits in one inning.
Analysis
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Used in setup role Sunday
Sands threw a scoreless eighth inning, allowing a walk while striking out two to earn his ninth hold Sunday against Cleveland.
Analysis
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Will be developed as starter
Sands will be developed as a starter during spring training, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.
Analysis
Twins executive vice president Derek Falvey was asked if any starters will make the conversion to relief, and while he did mention Sands is the closest to an arm that would make that move, Sands will build up as a starter in the Grapefruit League. The 25-year-old appeared in 11 games for the Twins in 2022 -- three as a starter -- and struggled to a 5.87 ERA with a 1.57 WHIP in 30.2 innings. Sands may be worked as a starter, but he faces an uphill battle to make the Minnesota pitching staff out of spring training.
Twins executive vice president Derek Falvey was asked if any starters will make the conversion to relief, and while he did mention Sands is the closest to an arm that would make that move, Sands will build up as a starter in the Grapefruit League. The 25-year-old appeared in 11 games for the Twins in 2022 -- three as a starter -- and struggled to a 5.87 ERA with a 1.57 WHIP in 30.2 innings. Sands may be worked as a starter, but he faces an uphill battle to make the Minnesota pitching staff out of spring training.