In 2015 the New York Yankee selected infielder Donny Sands with the 243 overall pick in the eighth round of the First-Year-Player Draft out of Salpointe Catholic High School in Arizona. Sands, 19, went on to sign with the Bronx Bombers on June 12 and immediately reported to Tampa to begin his professional career.
On June 22, 2015 Sands made his professional debut in a Gulf Coast League game between the GCL Yankees 1 and the GCL Phillies at the Yankees complex, in that game he went 1-for-4 with 1 RBI. He went on to become one of the Yankees top hitters in the league hitting .309 in 48 games. Of his 50 hits, 9 were doubles, and he also drove in 26 runs while walking 24 times and striking out just 15 times in the GCL.
Though neither of the GCL Yankees qualified for the post-season Donny’s season did not end there. He earned a late-season promotion to the South Atlantic League where he appeared in 7 games for the Charleston RiverDogs. With the RiverDogs he hit .310 in 29 at bats with 1 double, 4 RBIs and 1 walk.
During his high school career Donny played mostly shortstop but the Yankees felt he has the tools and the ability to play the hot corner as professional. Prior to the draft he worked out privately for the Yankees at Steinbrenner Field where scouts raved about his work ethic, competitiveness and mentality. He has smooth feet and soft hands on the field, allowing him to field the ball easily. At the plate he possesses a line drive swing with some pop that projects to continue to serve him well at the Hot Corner.
Sands will likely return to the RiverDogs to open the 2016 season but if he continues to excel a mid-season promotion to the Tampa Yankees should not be out of the question.
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