Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45 

Scouts loved Sanders' projectability when he was a Georgia high schooler, but the shortened 2020 season eliminated his opportunity to make an impression that spring. He went undrafted and headed to South Carolina, where he has added 20 pounds to his 6-foot-6 frame and his stuff has gotten stronger as well. An inconsistent junior season ruined his chances of going in the first round, and his stock took another hit when he missed the final three weeks of the regular season as well as the Southeastern Conference tournament with an apparent foot injury. 

Sanders' difficulties have stemmed largely from his inability to miss bats with his fastball, which sits at 92-94 mph and peaks at 96 but catches too much of the plate and lacks life when he doesn't command it up in the zone. His secondary pitches are all solid, including a mid-80s changeup that tumbles and fades and keeps left-handers at bay. He favors his low-80s curveball over his mid-80s slider, both of which have depth, and he can land both for strikes. 

Sanders' size helps him create extension and angle that make life more difficult for hitters. Despite his long limbs, he keeps his mechanics in sync and provides a reliable amount of strikes, though his control has slipped a bit in 2023. He still can gain more strength but his biggest need is to improve the movement and command with his fastball. 

Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40

Sanders exuded projectability as a Georgia high schooler, but the shortened 2020 season didn't allow him to make much of an impression as a senior, so he went undrafted and headed to South Carolina. His body and stuff got stronger in college, and he entered 2023 as a projected first-round pick, only to drop to the fourth round after an inconsistent spring and a foot injury. The Cubs sent him to High-A this April to make his pro debut.

Sanders biggest problem as a Gamecocks junior was an inability to miss bats with his fastballs, as his two-seamer dipped to 89-92 mph and his four-seamer sat at 92-94 and topped out at 96 mph but lacked life. He became overly dependent on his solid mid-80s slider, throwing it nearly half the time as a reliever in the NCAA playoffs. His low-80s curveball and tumbling mid-80s changeup have similar promise.

With his 6-foot-6 build, Sanders creates extension and angle that provide deception. He generally does a good job of keeping his long limbs in sync in his delivery, though his control regressed last year and his command lags behind. He has the upside of a No. 3 starter, though he'll need to add life to his fastball and locate it better.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	09/24/2024	Tennessee Smokies activated RHP Will Sanders.
	09/16/2024	Tennessee Smokies transferred RHP Will Sanders to the Development List.
	09/15/2024	Tennessee Smokies activated RHP Will Sanders.
	09/09/2024	RHP Will Sanders assigned to Tennessee Smokies from South Bend Cubs.
	04/04/2024	RHP Will Sanders assigned to South Bend Cubs from ACL Cubs.
	07/19/2023	RHP Will Sanders assigned to ACL Cubs.
	07/19/2023	Chicago Cubs signed RHP Will Sanders.
	03/26/2023	RHP Will Sanders assigned to South Carolina Gamecocks.
	03/26/2023	South Carolina Gamecocks activated RHP Will Sanders.
	03/31/2022	RHP Will Sanders and assigned to South Carolina Gamecocks.
	08/08/2019	RHP Will Sanders assigned to PG East.
	08/08/2019	RHP Will Sanders assigned to PG East.
	07/20/2019	RHP Will Sanders assigned to UA American.