The Pittsburgh Pirates are selling at the MLB’s trade deadline, which could, in theory, pave the way for a Thibodaux native to possibly make his MLB debut in the coming weeks.
The Pirates traded closer David Bednar to the Yankees today at the MLB Trade Deadline with the possibility of future moves coming before the 5 p.m. deadline.
With those moves and the Pirates likely now needing new arms coming into the MLB ranks, some reporters who cover the team are wondering if this could pave the way for the debut of Thibodaux native Cam Sanders.
An E.D. White and LSU graduate, Sanders is in Triple-A for Pittsburgh and is enjoying success.
At both the Double-A and Triple-A levels this season, Sanders has been dominant with a 3-1 record with a 2.02 ERA in 32 appearances. In 40.1 innings, Sanders has struck out 45 and opponents are hitting just .150 against him. Sanders has cut down on his walks and has issued just 19 this season, which has enabled him to be a guy that could be jump-starting his pro career.
In Triple-A, Sanders has shown that he could be MLB ready. With a step up in class, he has been just as good as ever. In 14 Triple-A appearances, Sanders is 1-1 with a 2.16 ERA with 6 holds and 2 saves. He has worked 16.2 innings and has struck out 19 with just 6 walks. Sanders has issued just 8 hits with opponents hitting .145 against him.
Sanders is 28 and has never yet made it to the MLB. But he has been tough to hit when in the strike zone. In his entire minor league career, opponents have hit just .201 against him and he has 545 career professional strikeouts in 464.2 innings.