Nick Howard Sandlin Bio
Nick Howard Sandlin is an American professional baseball pitcher who currently plays in the Detroit Tigers organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians / Guardians, Toronto Blue Jays, and Los Angeles Angels. Sandlin is known for his sidearm style pitching and enjoyed a successful college career at the University of Southern Mississippi, where he won multiple prestigious awards in his junior year. Since making his MLB debut in 2021, Sandlin has established himself as a reliable bullpen arm, compiling a 19-11 record with a 3.51 ERA and 245 strikeouts across his major league career.
Early Life and Background
Nick Howard Sandlin was born on January 10, 1997, in Evans, Georgia. He attended Greenbrier High School in Evans, Georgia, where he developed his skills as a baseball pitcher. His older brother, Jake Sandlin, also played baseball at Greenbrier and went on to play at the University of Southern Mississippi, continuing a family tradition in the sport.
Path to Professional Baseball
After high school, Sandlin enrolled at the University of Southern Mississippi, where he played college baseball for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. In the summer of 2017, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Hyannis Harbor Hawks of the Cape Cod Baseball League, one of the premier summer collegiate baseball leagues in the United States. The experience helped develop his sidearm pitching style against high-level competition.
In 2018, during his junior season at Southern Miss, Sandlin emerged as one of the top pitchers in college baseball. He won the C Spire Ferriss Trophy, awarded annually to the best collegiate baseball player in Mississippi. He was also named Conference USA Baseball Pitcher of the Year and received the National Pitcher of the Year Award from Perfect Game/Rawlings. These accolades made him one of the most sought-after pitching prospects heading into the 2018 MLB Draft.
Nick Howard Sandlin Career
Amateur Career and Draft (2018)
The Cleveland Indians selected Sandlin in the second round of the 2018 MLB Draft with the 67th overall selection. He signed with Cleveland shortly after being drafted, receiving a $750,000 signing bonus. Sandlin spent his first professional season progressing through four minor league levels, appearing for the rookie-level Arizona League Indians, Single-A Lake County Captains, High-A Lynchburg Hillcats, and Double-A Akron RubberDucks. He compiled a combined 2-0 record with a 3.00 ERA and 36 strikeouts across 24 relief innings during the 2018 season.
Cleveland Indians / Guardians Breakthrough (2021–2024)
Sandlin continued his minor league development in 2019 with Akron and the Triple-A Columbus Clippers, going a combined 1-0 with a 2.39 ERA over 26 and one-third innings. However, he was placed on the injured list on July 1, 2019, due to a right forearm strain and missed the remainder of the season. He did not play in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Minor League Baseball season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
On April 30, 2021, Sandlin was promoted to the major leagues for the first time. He made his MLB debut on May 1, 2021, against the Chicago White Sox and struck out White Sox outfielder Adam Eaton for his first major league strikeout. Sandlin made 34 relief appearances during his rookie season, posting a 2.94 ERA with 48 strikeouts across 33 and two-thirds innings pitched.
Sandlin emerged as a key member of the Cleveland bullpen over the following seasons. In 2022, he pitched in 46 games out of the bullpen, compiling a 5-2 record with a 2.25 ERA and 41 strikeouts over 44 innings of work. In 2023, he made 61 appearances, logging a 5-5 record and 3.75 ERA with 66 strikeouts over 60 innings of work. In 2024, his final season with Cleveland, Sandlin made 68 appearances and registered an 8-0 record with a 3.75 ERA, 68 strikeouts, and 1 save across 57 and two-thirds innings pitched. Across his four seasons with the organization, he went 19-11 with a 3.51 ERA and 223 strikeouts in approximately 195 and one-third innings.
Toronto Blue Jays (2025)
On December 10, 2024, Sandlin was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Spencer Horwitz and Nick Mitchell. He made 19 appearances for Toronto, logging an 0-2 record and 2.20 ERA with 16 strikeouts and 1 save across 16 and one-third innings pitched. On July 8, 2025, Sandlin was placed on the injured list due to right elbow inflammation. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list on September 1. Sandlin was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons on November 15. He elected to become a free agent two days later.
Los Angeles Angels (2026)
On January 26, 2026, Sandlin signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels. He was assigned to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees to begin the season, where he recorded a 1.42 ERA across five appearances. On April 12, the Angels selected Sandlin’s contract, adding him to their active roster. He made eight appearances for Los Angeles but struggled, posting an 0-1 record and 11.42 ERA with six strikeouts over 8 and two-thirds innings pitched. On May 4, Sandlin was designated for assignment by the Angels. He elected free agency after clearing waivers on May 6.
Detroit Tigers (2026–Present)
On May 10, 2026, Sandlin signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers, joining another organization in his ongoing major league career. The move provided him with an opportunity to work his way back to the major leagues with a new club.
Driving Style and Strengths
Sandlin employs a sidearm delivery that creates a deceptive angle for hitters, making him particularly effective against both left-handed and right-handed batters. His ability to generate ground-ball contact has made him a valuable bullpen piece capable of recording multiple outs per appearance. His experience working with various managers and coaching staffs throughout his career has helped him adapt his approach to different game situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Sandlin’s career has been marked by several significant achievements. His MLB debut on May 1, 2021, resulted in his first major league strikeout of Adam Eaton. The 2024 season with Cleveland represented one of his strongest campaigns, as he posted an undefeated 8-0 record across 68 appearances. His college career culminated in a standout 2018 season that saw him earn the C Spire Ferriss Trophy, Conference USA Baseball Pitcher of the Year honors, and the National Pitcher of the Year Award from Perfect Game/Rawlings.
Nick Howard Sandlin Career Wins
Across his MLB career spanning from 2021 through the 2026 season, Sandlin has compiled a 19-11 win-loss record with a 3.51 ERA and 245 total strikeouts. He has appeared in over 200 major league games, primarily as a relief pitcher.
Cleveland Guardians Highlights
Sandlin’s most extensive major league experience came with the Cleveland Guardians organization. Across four seasons from 2021 to 2024, he went 19-11 with a 3.51 ERA and 223 strikeouts in approximately 195 and one-third innings pitched. His undefeated 8-0 record in 2024 highlighted his reliability out of the bullpen, and he recorded his first career save that season. His rookie campaign in 2021 saw him post a 2.94 ERA in 34 appearances, establishing himself as an immediate contributor.
Other MLB Teams
With the Toronto Blue Jays in 2025, Sandlin appeared in 19 games and recorded 1 save while posting a 2.20 ERA. His time with the Los Angeles Angels in 2026 was brief, as he appeared in 8 games before being designated for assignment. Throughout his career, he has logged 1 career save with Toronto and 1 save with Cleveland.
| Team | Years | W-L Record | ERA | Strikeouts | Appearances |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Indians / Guardians | 2021–2024 | 19-11 | 3.51 | 223 | 216 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | 2025 | 0-2 | 2.20 | 16 | 19 |
| Los Angeles Angels | 2026 | 0-1 | 11.42 | 6 | 8 |
Family
Family Background
Sandlin comes from a baseball family. His older brother, Jake Sandlin, also pursued a career in baseball, playing at both Greenbrier High School and the University of Southern Mississippi. Having a sibling who followed a similar path through high school and college baseball provided Nick with a familiar support system and competitive drive throughout his development as a pitcher.
Personal Life
Sandlin graduated from Greenbrier High School in Evans, Georgia, before continuing his academic and athletic career at the University of Southern Mississippi. His journey from Evans to becoming a professional baseball player represents a successful pathway through Georgia high school baseball to the collegiate level and ultimately to professional baseball.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transition year for Sandlin after being acquired by the Toronto Blue Jays in a trade from Cleveland. He reported to spring training with a new organization and quickly became part of the Blue Jays bullpen. His early season performance was solid, as he posted a 2.20 ERA across 19 appearances while recording his second career save. The relationship with a new coaching staff required adjustments, and Sandlin worked to establish himself as a reliable option in high-leverage situations. However, the season took an unfortunate turn when he was placed on the injured list in July due to right elbow inflammation. The injury sidelined him for the remainder of the regular season and playoff push. After being sent outright to Triple-A Buffalo in November, Sandlin elected free agency, opening a new chapter in his professional career.