The Pittsburgh Pirates have announced the signing of prep shortstop Wyatt Sanford, their second round pick from the 2024 MLB Draft. Sanford was drafted 47th overall, and was rated 42nd overall by Baseball America and 35th overall by MLB Pipeline.
According to Jim Callis, Sanford signed for $2.5 million, which is above the $1,984,800 slot price.
The Pirates drafted three prep shortstops with their first five picks. That group was led by first rounder Konnor Griffin, who is the only player in the top ten rounds of the Pirates’ draft who has yet to sign. They also added fourth rounder Eddie Rynders. Sanford grades as one of the best defensive shortstops from the 2024 draft.
Defensively, Sanford profiles as a plus defender at shortstop, projecting to stick at the position into the majors with positive value. He moves well in all directions, with good hands, glove work, and an above-average arm. He’s also a plus runner, who is a threat on the bases.
The Pirates will need to develop the hit tool for Sanford. He’s got a contact approach, and doesn’t project for a lot of power. He controls the strike zone well, with good swing decisions, and a gap-to-gap approach that could lead to average contact grades in the future. The power grades as below-to-fringe-average, with a chance for double-digit homers every year. He has increased his bat speed and gotten stronger in the last year.
Sanford’s upside is a starter, with positive defense at short, average contact and gap power at the plate, and plus speed on the bases. The Pirates will try to develop up the bat, while getting the most out of his defense.
The Pirates have now signed 16 of their first 21 picks. With Sanford signing over-slot, the Pirates are now $364,600 over their total bonus pool, with only first rounder Konnor Griffin remaining. The slot price for Griffin is a little over $6.2 million.
If the Pirates sign Griffin for slot, they’ll be taxed 5% on the overage. They could go over-slot on Griffin by another $335,425 without losing any future draft picks. This would put him around a maximum bonus of $6.5 million for the ninth overall pick, without the Pirates losing future picks.
