Pirates Top 30 Prospects No. 9: Slick-Fielding Wyatt Sanford Provides More Than Just Defense
This is one in a series of stories breaking down PBN’s Top 30 Pittsburgh Pirates prospects.
Wyatt Sanford entered the Pirates organization as a second-round pick out of Independence High School in 2024 with a reputation as a strong defender at shortstop.
After not appearing in an affiliated game after he was drafted, Sanford began his professional career in the system this past season and lived up to what was expected of him defensively.
The 19-year-old appeared in 34 games at shortstop, where he owned a .984 fielding percentage. After a midseason promotion from the Florida Complex League to Low-A Bradenton, Sanford did not commit an error across 186.2 innings.
Sanford also posted a .990 fielding percentage (one error in 104 chances) in 27 games at second base and was not tested in a lone game at the hot corner.
While Sanford provided the Pirates with what they expected from him defensively, he paired his strong glove work with a solid performance at the plate.
The left-handed hitter got off to a strong start in the FCL. In 20 games to start the season, Sanford slashed .259/.487/.370 with just as many walks (15) as strikeouts. He was also hit by a pitch nine times, adding to his exceptionally strong on-base percentage. Additionally, Sanford went 13 for 14 in stolen base attempts.
Sanford then appeared in 44 games after getting bumped to Bradenton. In 44 games with the Marauders, he owned a .238/.342/.378 batting line with seven doubles, two triples, four home runs, 19 RBI and 21 stolen bases.
A plus-defender with a solid arm and plus-speed, Sanford showed more at the plate than expected in his first full season.
Sanford has big-league bloodlines. His father, Chance, was twice drafted by the Pirates and played 14 games with Pittsburgh during the 1998 season. Wyatt will try and become the second member of his family to wear the black and gold. And if he continues at his current trajectory, he could one day become an impact player for the Pirates.
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