Wyatt Sanford’s baseball career is one you’ll want to keep an eye on.
When I sat down with Sanford last week, hours before the Bradenton Marauders were to host the Fort Myers Mussels at LECOM Park, I was instantly taken aback by how friendly and mature the rookie shortstop is. Arriving right on time, at an agreed-upon 1 p.m., the Pirates’ No. 2 selection in the 2024 MLB Draft seemed as anxious to talk baseball as I was.
As we shook hands and sat at a table under an umbrella not far from the team’s clubhouse, Sanford reminded me of another shortstop from the 1970s, a player I admired (and just so happens to live in Bradenton) - Bucky Dent. During the New York Yankees’ championships won in the 1970s, Dent was as popular with the fans (especially the ladies) as he was talented on the field.
The more I learn about Sanford, the more I can see a second coming of Dent. At 19 years old, as much as Sanford tells of acclimating to Southwest Florida, he is away from home for the first time, for an extended time. Home is Frisco, Texas; the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area.
Living roughly a 30-minute drive from Dallas, Sanford is eager to offer a quick review of what Frisco has to offer. He shares memories of “the Star”, the 91-acre property owned by the Dallas Cowboys where the team’s headquarters and training facility are.
“It’s growing rapidly, and it’s (Frisco) a really awesome, nice city,” declares Sanford, who earlier this season played in 20 games for the Florida Coast League Pirates and now has competed in 28 games with the Marauders.
Like most young athletes, Sanford is quick to praise his hometown. Surprisingly to me, Sanford makes it a point for me to know that, as big as sports are at his alma mater, Independence High School in Frisco, classroom work is equally taken to heart.
“There is a definite push in the classroom to prepare students for the real world.”
Keeping his eye on personal responsibilities, Sanford shares a quick story about the 2023 MLB season, recounting when the Texas Rangers won the World Series. Growing up a Rangers fan, and Frisco is the home of Texas’s Double-A affiliate – the RoughRiders, Sanford kept his priorities straight when it came to wanting to attend the team’s victory parade in Arlington.
“I rooted for them (Rangers) to win, and to see them win the Series was awesome. We had practiced the day of the parade. Our high school coach let us know that if we missed practice, whoever it was, you would not play in the next game.”
With the Marauders off to an impressive 10-5 record in the second half of the Florida State League, Sanford seems settled in. Living at Pirate City (Wyatt roomed with Konnor Griffin), Sanford offers a genuine “team spirit” attitude. He describes the Pirates’ 2024 draft class in Florida as “really good,” noting that a bond is forming among the players that Sanford assures will last long after this summer.
“We (players) cheer each other on when they are at bat or pitching. We are pulling for each other.”
As for the difference in the level of competition between playing in the FCL and FSL, in Sanford’s estimate, “it’s a pretty good size jump.” As a FCL Pirate, Sanford tells of being up by 7 a.m. to get in his pre-game workout. FCL games begin at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., and 6 p.m., whereas Marauders’ games usually begin at 6:30 p.m.
Being away from home for the first time, Sanford labels the change in location as “a little weird”. However, like many others finding their way through the minor leagues, Sanford had incredible family support. Every morning, Wyatt speaks with his mom, Wendy Sanford. In the evening, he talks with Dad, Chance Sanford.
“My mom isn’t quite ready emotionally for me to be away,” explains Sanford, who bats left and throws right. “My dad understands what I’m experiencing.”
Chance Sanford, drafted in the 27th round in 1992 by the Pirates, and spent several years experiencing spring training in the very same facility that his son Wyatt is now. It was in 1998 when Chance made his MLB debut for the Gene Lamont-led Buccos. He appeared in 14 games that season with Pittsburgh.
The following year, Chance suited up for the Los Angeles Dodgers for five games. The 19 MLB games that Chance appeared in are a subject his son is proud to relay. He also hopes to not only match the 19 games but well exceed it.
With all minor league clubs having Mondays off, when time allows, Sanford, with some of his teammates, could be found at University Town Center in Sarasota to do some shopping and just relax.
My main takeaway from my 20 minutes of talking with Sanford is just how important teamwork and camaraderie are to him. He is all about “us” as opposed to “me”. This is refreshing. I have a feeling that if the former Yankees’ World Series champion shortstop paid a visit to LECOM Park and watched Sanford in action, he surely would believe that he is seeing his double. They both are winners.
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