Nick Sandlin taking a detour to minor league camp is simply the perfect runway for an incredible major league return.
Seeing a proven reliever reassigned right before Opening Day always delivers a quick gut punch to the passionate fanbase.
We naturally want all our favorite veteran arms breaking camp with the big club to start the fresh season.
It feels like an unfair slight to a guy who has spent years getting top-tier hitters out in massive situations.
But we need to take a deep breath and examine the true reality of this specific pitching staff adjustment.
Sandlin (Drafted Round 2, 2018 by Cleveland) has always been a relentless fighter on the mound since his early prospect days.
He spent part of last year dealing with annoying elbow inflammation that unfortunately derailed a highly promising summer stretch.
Sandlin is building arm strength for a long run
Angels fans are absolutely starving for reliable pitching depth and this cautious move secures a fresh arm for the grueling months ahead.
When he was fully healthy last season, he dazzled the baseball world with a brilliant 2.20 ERA over 16.1 innings of work.
He consistently kept aggressive runners off the basepaths while generating weak contact and posting a rock-solid 1.16 WHIP.
That unique sidearm delivery remains an absolute nightmare for opposing right-handed batters trying to elevate the baseball into the gaps.
Getting sent to the minor league complex provides him the ultimate low-pressure environment to rediscover his sharpest command.
The front office fully realizes they cannot rush a valuable asset who could easily stabilize the late innings this summer.
Giving him extra time to fine-tune his sweeping slider ensures he will be totally electric when the real games begin.
It is a massive marathon of a season and every true contender heavily relies on reinforcements waiting in the wings.
Once he completely unleashes his nasty arsenal down in Salt Lake, a sudden promotion to Anaheim becomes entirely inevitable.
He will be striking out the best hitters in the game under the bright stadium lights very soon.
This temporary roster setback is just quietly planting the seeds for a highly triumphant return to the main stage.
Get ready to watch him become the ultimate secret weapon for the Halos bullpen in the heat of a playoff chase.
Will Nick Sandlin be the first reliever called up to the active roster this season?
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