Wyatt Sanford
Before the Pirates drafted Ager in the sixth round, they took high school infielder Wyatt Sanford in the second round. Sanford was considered a top 50 draft prospect by both MLB Pipeline and Baseball America. Although Sanford is only going to be 19 for all of 2025, he should get the chance to receive a decent amount of plate appearances next year.
Sanford’s best tools are his speed and fielding. He’s a plus runner who has the potential to post consistent 20-stolen-base seasons. Not only should he stick at shortstop long-term, but he should excel at the position as well. The worst case scenario is that he becomes a super utility player, but he definitely has both the skills with the glove and the arm to play wherever.
Sanford projects to have an average to above-average hit tool. The infielder has a quick swing that facilitates decent contact. Sanford has seen an uptick in bat speed, which should help him add some pop. He may never be a huge home run hitter, but someone who could consistently give you 10-12 dingers a season with a .260-.270 batting average at his best is still valuable. Sanford has also displayed a good eye at the dish, punishing pitches inside the zone without trouble.
The Pirates aren’t unfamiliar with giving teenage position player prospects a look at Bradenton. The Marauders have three prospects that are 19 on their roster right now, each of whom will likely end the season with over 300 plate appearances between the FCL and Bradenton. 300-350 plate appearances is a large enough sample size to at least give a rough idea of what Sanford is potentially capable of.