Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 60 | Overall: 45

Chance Sanford was a late-round Draft pick of the Pirates in the early 1990s who played in parts of two big league seasons with the Buccos and the Dodgers. His son, Wyatt, beat his Draft status by 25 rounds when the Pirates went back to the Sanford well in the second round of the 2024 Draft. The Texas high schooler received an over-slot bonus of $2.5 million to forego his commitment to Texas A&M and he showed signs of a solid all-around game, playing his way from the Rookie-level Florida Complex League to Single-A Bradenton before a groin injury ended his season at the beginning of August.

While Sanford entered pro ball with strong tools across the board, the Pirates kept him back in the complex longer so he could work on recognizing spin. There’s still work to be done there as he registered 38 percent miss and 32 percent chase rates on breaking stuff once he got to full-season ball last year. He made strides in understanding how to stay on time for the fastball and give himself enough time to adjust to breaking balls, giving confidence that will keep improving as he gets more reps. He’ll always be a hit-over-power type but there is impact to come, at least in the form of gap-to-gap extra-base pop.

A plus runner who finished fourth in the organization with 34 steals last year, Sanford likes to wreak havoc on the basepaths. The Pirates feel he has a very good chance to stick at shortstop with excellent actions, good range and an above-average arm. Everything plays up because of those strong instincts and grinder mentality.

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
	03/05/2026	SS Wyatt Sanford assigned to Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects.
	02/22/2026	SS Wyatt Sanford roster status changed by Pittsburgh Pirates.
	02/22/2026	SS Wyatt Sanford assigned to Pittsburgh Pirates.
	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	TSA North activated SS Wyatt Sanford.
	07/21/2023	SS Wyatt Sanford assigned to TSA North.