Local set to begin pro career

Quit making excuses: For LSU baseball to be that "down" is unacceptable
June 13, 2018
Colonels selected to 2018 Preseason NIT
June 13, 2018
Quit making excuses: For LSU baseball to be that "down" is unacceptable
June 13, 2018
Colonels selected to 2018 Preseason NIT
June 13, 2018

A lifelong dream came true this weekend for a Thibodaux native.

E.D. White graduate and LSU junior Cam Sanders was selected in the 12th Round of the 2018 MLB Draft (368th overall) by the Chicago Cubs.


Sanders, the son of former MLB pitcher Scott Sanders, said he intends to sign with the Cubs and forego his final year of eligibility at LSU to begin his career at the pros.

A 6-foot, 2-inch right-handed pitcher, Sanders was also drafted in the 2017 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres, but he passed on that opportunity to enjoy a season with the Tigers.

He said he’s ready to start his journey to the Big Leagues with a Cubs farm system that has experience molding prospects to the best of their potential.


“I’m very excited,” Sanders said. “I’m ready to get my professional career started. It’s definitely a dream come true. I’ve been wanting to play pro ball ever since I can remember. Now, I have the opportunity to make that dream come true.”

Sanders lands in the professional ranks with a live arm and the ability to be either a starter or reliever – a valuable skill set to the Cubs.

Last season, Sanders had a 1-0 record with a 5.59 ERA in 18 appearances (4 starts) for the Tigers. But those numbers are not indicative of how good Sanders can be when he’s on his game.


Sanders struggled mightily with his control early in his career with LSU, which caused a few bad outings and drove up his early-season ERA. He had 24 walks, 6 hit batters and 5 wild pitches in his 38.2 innings in Baton Rouge.

Before signing with LSU, Sanders was regarded as one of the top junior-college arms in the country. He was regarded as one of the crowned jewels in the Tigers’ recruiting class.

Sanders started his collegiate career at Northwest Florida State Community College and he was a monster at that level, posting a 6-3 record with 59 strikeouts in 43 innings in the 2017 season and a 10-4 record for his career.


He earned his way to the next level by being one of the best pitchers in the storied history of E.D. White baseball. Sanders was 9-2 as a senior with a 1.07 ERA with 98 strikeouts in 72 innings of work.

Sanders was drafted by the Padres after his junior college career, but opted for LSU for the chance to play for what he called the best college baseball program in the country.

And while there were struggles early in Baton Rouge, Sanders found his stride and shot up the draft boards.


In the SEC Tournament, Sanders appeared 3 times and was flawless. He worked 8.1 innings, allowed 3 hits and struck out 12 batters – all without a walk.

Sanders followed up that performance in the NCAA Tournament, starting a game against Northwestern State and working 5 innings, while allowing 3 earned runs with 4 strikeouts and just 1 walk – a game LSU won.

Sanders said he enjoyed his year at LSU, adding that he said to himself before the start of the postseason that he was going to work as hard as he could to help his team.


“I enjoyed my year at LSU,” Sanders said. “It was up and down, but I’m glad I finished on a good note. I just went in to our conference tournament with the mindset that it is a new season and just let my confidence take over and I ended up being successful.”

But now, the focus is on going off to the next level and being as successful as can be.

Sanders said on Baton Rouge radio this week after being drafted that he hadn’t yet signed with the Cubs, but that he was “likely” to do so.


He confirmed the same to The Times over the weekend, adding that his next baseball outing will be at the professional level.

Sanders said he’s not sure where the Cubs will send him for rookie ball, but added that the team is getting a motivated pitcher who believes he has what it takes to make it to the highest levels of competition.

The right-handed pitcher said he’s going to continue to work hard in all phases to polish his craft while working toward the MLB ranks.


“I’m just going to continue to work on staying consistent,” Sanders said. “I’m also going to continue to work out, get bigger and stronger to be ready for the next level.”

Sanders said he’s been a baseball fan his whole life, but added that he never really has had a true favorite team.

But last week that changed and, obviously, the Sanders family’s hearts are in Chicago.


Scott Sanders pitched for the Cubs in his career and now son Cam hopes to do the same.

“I always enjoyed my favorite players instead of one select team,” Sanders said. “But now, the Cubs are my favorite team – no doubt.”

Cam Sanders


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