Another former LSU Tiger has made his MLB debut. After more than five years in the minor leagues, pitcher Cam Sanders got the call up to the big leagues on Tuesday with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He made his debut in last night's contest against the San Francisco Giants, working two scoreless innings and collecting a pair of strikeouts in relief.
Sanders came to Baton Rouge in 2018 after two seasons at Northwest Florida State College. In that 2018 season, he posted a 5.09 ERA over 38.2 innings while collecting 48 strikeouts for the Tigers.
He worked a combined 8.1 shutout innings in the 2018 SEC Tournament, striking out 12 without issuing a single walk. He also got the starting nod for the Tigers in their NCAA Regional win over Northwestern State. The Thibodaux, LA native tossed five innings, allowing three runs on five hits with four strikeouts in LSU's 9-5 victory.
The LSU product was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 12th round of the 2018 MLB Draft. He was in Chicago's minor league system through the 2024 season, when he elected free agency and signed with the Pirates prior to the 2025 campaign.
Sanders' debut adds to LSU's impressive MLB pipeline
Before getting the call up, the 28-year-old right-hander posted a 1.90 ERA over 23.2 innings with the Double-A Altoona Curve and a 1.93 ERA through 18.2 innings with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians. With the Pirates, Sanders joins a roster that is headlined by LSU legend Paul Skenes.
LSU has one of the most illustrious groups of professional alumni in all of Major League Baseball. Sanders is the 91st LSU Tiger to make it to the big leagues. In addition, LSU has had at least one former player make his MLB debut in 31 of the past 35 seasons. More could be on the way soon, as nine Tigers were drafted in the 2025 MLB Draft.
Sanders is the fourth LSU alum to debut in the big leagues this season. He joins fellow pitchers Cole Henry (Washington Nationals), Grant Taylor (Chicago White Sox), and Paul Gervase (Tampa Bay Rays).