Cam Sanders
Position: RHP
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 190 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 12/09/1996
College: Louisiana State University
Drafted: 12th round, 368th Overall, 2018 (Cubs)
How Acquired: Minor League Free Agent
Bonus: $125,000
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: Eligible
Minor League Free Agency: 2025
Options Left: 3
Overview
Sanders is a reliever with good stuff who’s been undermined so far by poor control. He throws two- and four-seam fastballs at 92-94 and 94-96 mph, respectively. He has an above average slider and curve, along with an average change, all of which have been good enough to produce high K rates. The control problems, though, have impacted him just about every year, with often very high walk rates and also a lot of hit batsmen. Sanders got to AA as a starter with the Cubs pretty quickly, but in parts of three seasons in AAA he’s collectively walked nearly a batter an inning. He moved to the bullpen after he got to AAA. The Pirates signed Sanders to a minor league deal for 2025.
2018-20
Sanders pitched in relief in short season ball in his draft year and fanned 22 in 16 innings, but he walked 14. In 2019, he pitched in the rotation in low A. He got good results, with a 2.94 ERA, and he kept the walks to 4.7 per nine innings. He didn’t pitch in the pandemic season.
2021-24
In 2021, Sanders made 18 starts in AA. His control wasn’t good, but at 4.4 BB/9 it was manageable, and he fanned 10.7 per nine. His one big problem was gopher balls, as he allowed one every five innings, leading to a 5.32 ERA.
From 2022 -24, Sanders bounced back and forth between AA and AAA. He pitched very well in six starts to open 2022, including a 4.1 BB/9 and 13.5 K/9, and that got him promoted to AAA. He had a tougher time there, with a 5.45 ERA and 5.9 BB/9, and he moved to the bullpen after 11 starts.
Sanders moved to the bullpen full-time in 2023 and was hard to hit while fanning 13.5 per nine innings, but he walked 9.6. In 2024, he continued to struggle with walks in AAA, so the Cubs moved him down to AA in early May. He pitched well there, fanning 27 and walking just six in 21.2 IP, and moved back up to AAA. The control problems continued; for his time in AAA, he walked 39 and struck out 50 in 32.1 IP. He also got hit a lot harder than previously.
Sanders became a minor league free agent after the 2024 season and signed with the Pirates.
Stats
Transactions
June 14, 2017: Drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 18th round, 528th overall pick.
June 6, 2018: Drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 12th round, 368th overall pick; signed June 21.
November 4, 2024: Became a free agent.
January 21, 2025: Signed as a minor league free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates.