Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 60 | Overall: 45

There were four Texas high schoolers taken in the top three rounds of the 2024 Draft, with outfielder Braylon Payne and shortstop Theo Gillen going in the first round, left-hander Dasan Hill being taken in Competitive Balance Round B and Sanford coming off the board between them in Round 2. The son of former big leaguer Chance, Wyatt went to one of his dad’s teams, the Pirates, receiving an over-slot bonus of $2.5 million to begin his pro career. He didn’t get into an official game after signing, but did play in instructs.

The Pirates have already worked with Sanford on his setup at the plate, as the left-handed hitter had spread out with his legs too far during his senior year of high school, putting too much pressure on himself to make contact, while also trying to pull the ball more at times. He does have good bat-to-ball skills and still made a good amount of contact, but the focus is now on closing the spread, loading on his back hip and being on time for the fastball, which should also help him unlock some of his power. He’s also a plus runner who knows how to use that speed on the basepaths.

There are no questions about Sanford’s defensive ability. He was thought to be one of the best shortstops with the glove among prepsters in the 2024 class and he immediately showed why, with rangy and smooth actions to go along with plenty of arm and outstanding instincts. If the bat comes along, he has every chance to be a starting shortstop in the big leagues.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 60 | Overall: 50

Two Texas high school shortstops shot up Draft boards this spring, with Theo Gillen ranking ahead of Sanford because he has more offensive upside but the latter providing more speed and defense. Gillen went in the first round to the Rays and Sanford, who performed well at the World Wood Bat Association World Championship in October and helped his cause by adding strength during the offseason, went in the second round to the Pirates, one of the two teams his father, Chance, played for in the big leagues in the late 1990s. Sanford got an over-slot bonus of $2.5 million to sign him away from his commitment to Texas A&M.

One of the best defensive shortstops in the 2024 high school class, Sanford has range to both sides and solid-to-plus arm strength. There's no doubt he can stay at the position, but his athleticism and tools would enable him to play almost anywhere on the diamond in a utility role. He produces consistent plus run times and is an asset on the bases.

Though he has increased his bat speed from the left side of the plate as he has gotten stronger, there are some mixed reviews on Sanford's bat. He has a mature gap-to-gap approach and makes good swing decisions, but he has spread out more with his legs this spring in search of contact. He'll probably need to rework his setup in pro ball and may top out at 15 homers per season.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 60 | Overall: 50

Two Texas high school shortstops have shot up Draft boards this spring, with Theo Gillen ranking ahead of Sanford because he has more offensive upside but the latter providing more speed and defense. Sanford comes with big league bloodlines, as his father, Chance, was also an infielder who played 19 games with the Pirates and Dodgers in the late 1990s. He performed well at the World Wood Bat Association World Championship in October and helped his cause by adding strength during the offseason.

One of the best defensive shortstops in the 2024 high school class, Sanford has range to both sides and solid-to-plus arm strength. There's no doubt he can stay at the position, but his athleticism and tools would enable him to play almost anywhere on the diamond in a utility role. He produces consistent plus run times and is an asset on the bases.

Though he has increased his bat speed from the left side of the plate as he has gotten stronger, there are some mixed reviews on Sanford's bat. The Texas A&M recruit has a mature gap-to-gap approach and makes good swing decisions, but he has spread out more with his legs this spring in search of contact. He'll probably need to rework his setup in pro ball and may top out at 15 homers per season.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	09/24/2025	Bradenton Marauders activated SS Wyatt Sanford from the 7-day injured list.
	08/02/2025	Bradenton Marauders placed SS Wyatt Sanford on the 7-day injured list.
	06/03/2025	SS Wyatt Sanford assigned to Bradenton Marauders from FCL Pirates.
	03/06/2025	activated SS Wyatt Sanford.
	08/05/2024	SS Wyatt Sanford assigned to FCL Pirates.
	07/29/2024	Pittsburgh Pirates signed SS Wyatt Sanford.
	06/16/2024	College Workout activated SS Wyatt Sanford.
	05/15/2024	SS Wyatt Sanford assigned to College Workout.
	08/09/2023	SS Wyatt Sanford assigned to High School Workout.
	07/21/2023	SS Wyatt Sanford assigned to TSA North.
	07/21/2023	TSA North activated SS Wyatt Sanford.