Wynton Bernard
Bernard with the Rockies in 2022
Chicago White Sox
Outfielder
Born: (1990-09-24) September 24, 1990 (age 33)
San Diego, California, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 12, 2022, for the Colorado Rockies
MLB statistics
(through 2022 season)
Batting average.286
Home runs0
Runs batted in3
Teams

Wynton Allen Bernard (born September 24, 1990) is an American professional baseball outfielder in the Chicago White Sox organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Colorado Rockies.

Amateur career

Bernard attended Rancho Bernardo High School in Poway, California. He received an athletic scholarship to attend Niagara University and play college baseball for the Niagara Purple Eagles.[1] As a freshman, Bernard had a .293 batting average and led the team in stolen bases. He transferred to Riverside Community College after the season because his father had a stroke and he wanted to be closer to his family. Bernard's father died after his sophomore year, and he transferred back to Niagara for his junior year.[2] For Niagara, Bernard compiled a .279 average and 72 stolen bases in 140 games from 2009 to 2012.[3]

Professional career

San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres selected Bernard in the 35th round, with the 1,065th overall selection, of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft.[4] He made his professional debut with the rookie–level Arizona League Padres, hitting .232 across 23 games. In 2013, Bernard split the season between the AZL Padres, Low–A Eugene Emeralds, Single–A Fort Wayne TinCaps, and High–A Lake Elsinore Storm. In 51 total games, he accumulated a .251/.325/.331 batting line with 1 home run, 16 RBI, and 10 stolen bases.[5] On January 23, 2014, Bernard was released by the Padres organization.[6]

Detroit Tigers

On March 3, 2014, Bernard signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers organization.[7][8][9] He played for the Low-A West Michigan Whitecaps in 2014, and was named the Most Valuable Player of the Midwest League after hitting .324 with 6 home runs, 47 RBI, and 45 stolen bases across 131 contests. He additionally broke the teams single season hit record with 164.[10] On October 31, 2014, the Tigers added Bernard to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[11]

Bernard played for the Double-A Erie SeaWolves in 2015. In 135 games, he batted .302/.352/.408 with 4 home runs, 36 RBI, and 43 stolen bases.[12][13] Bernard was optioned to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens to begin the season.[14] On June 18, 2016, Bernard was designated for assignment by the Tigers following the promotion of Casey McGehee.[15] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Double–A on June 24. In 104 total games for Erie and Toledo, he batted .279/.345/.396 with a career–high 7 home runs, 33 RBI, and 23 stolen bases.[16] He became a free agent after the season on November 7.[17]

San Francisco Giants

On November 18, 2016, Bernard signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants organization.[18][19]

Bernard with the Sacramento River Cats in 2017

In 82 games for the Triple–A Sacramento River Cats, he hit .254/.303/.347 with 2 home runs, 14 RBI, and 13 stolen bases.[20] Bernard elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2017.[21]

Chicago Cubs

On January 29, 2018, Bernard signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs organization.[22] He split the season between the Double–A Tennessee Smokies and Triple–A Iowa Cubs, playing 98 total games and hitting .242/.293/.349 with 3 home runs, 22 RBI, and 25 stolen bases. Bernard elected free agency following the season on November 3.[23]

On November 22, 2018, Bernard re–signed with the Cubs on a minor league contract.[24] In 52 games for split between Tennessee and Iowa in 2019, he hit .278/.359/.444 with 2 home runs, 15 RBI, and 8 stolen bases.[25] Bernard was released by the Cubs organization on July 11, 2019.[26]

Sugar Land Skeeters

On July 15, 2019, Bernard signed with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[27] In 61 games, Bernard slashed .314/.353/.461 with 6 home runs, 36 RBI, and 32 stolen bases. On March 4, 2020, Bernard re–signed with the Skeeters for the 2020 season.[28]

After the 2020 Atlantic League season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[29] Bernard joined the Skeeters in the Constellation Energy League. In 23 games, he hit .270/.325/.378 with 2 home runs, 9 RBI, and 6 stolen bases.[30]

Colorado Rockies

On January 19, 2021, Bernard signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies organization. He spent the season with the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes, playing in 100 games and batting .254/.319/.395 with 7 home runs, 30 RBI, and 23 stolen bases.[31] He elected free agency following the season on November 7.[32] On February 1, 2022, Bernard re–signed with the Rockies on a new minor league contract.[33] In 108 games for Albuquerque, he hit .333/.387/.590 with career–highs in home runs (21) and RBI (92), as well as 30 stolen bases.[31]

On August 11, 2022, it was announced that Bernard would be promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[34] The following day, his contract was officially selected to the active roster.[35] He made his major-league debut against the Arizona Diamondbacks that evening, recording a hit, stolen base, and run scored.[36] After recording a base hit and a stolen base, he became the oldest player to do so in their major league debut since 1907.[37] In 12 major league games for Colorado, Bernard hit .286/.286/.310 with no home runs, 3 RBI, and 3 stolen bases.[38] On November 9, Bernard was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple–A.[39] He elected free agency the following day.[40]

Toronto Blue Jays

On January 24, 2023, Bernard signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays organization.[41] Bernard played in 60 games for the Triple–A Buffalo Bisons, hitting .271/.360/.393 with 3 home runs, 31 RBI, and 15 stolen bases. He was released by Toronto on June 28.[42]

Colorado Rockies (second stint)

On June 29, 2023, Bernard signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies organization.[43] In 66 games for the Triple–A Albuquerque Isotopes, he hit .329/.388/.484 with 8 home runs, 34 RBI, and 26 stolen bases. Bernard elected free agency following the season on November 6.[44]

Chicago White Sox

On November 28, 2023, Bernard signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox.[45]

International career

In addition to playing for various minor-league teams in the United States, Bernard has also played professionally in Mexico, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, and Australia.[25]

Personal life

Bernard has two older brothers: Walter played for the New Mexico Lobos in college and in the National Football League, and Wayne played professional basketball in Europe.[7]

Bernard appeared on the TV game show Family Feud alongside his brother Walter in 2011.

References

  1. ^ Harrington, Mike (August 24, 2022). "For Niagara coach Rob McCoy, seeing Wynton Bernard's MLB debut was a real treat". The Buffalo News. Archived from the original on August 24, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  2. ^ "ALUMNI REPORT: Bernard stands tall at Niagra". San Diego Union-Tribune. April 17, 2012.
  3. ^ "Bernard Called Up By Colorado Rockies". purpleeagles.com. August 12, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  4. ^ "Rancho Bernardo High grad Wynton Bernard closing in on MLB dream". Pomerado News. August 4, 2017.
  5. ^ "Wynton Bernard - Stats - Batting". fangraphs.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  6. ^ "Wynton Bernard Stats & Scouting Report". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Tigers prospect watch: Wynton Bernard runs onto 40-man". Freep.com. Retrieved 2022-08-14.
  8. ^ "Wynton Bernard thankful for opportunity with Tigers". Freep.com. 2015-01-24. Retrieved 2022-08-14.
  9. ^ "Whitecaps' Wynton Bernard races onto All-Star team". Hollandsentinel.com. Retrieved 2022-08-14.
  10. ^ "Wynton Bernard breaks single-season hits record but West Michigan Whitecaps lose in extras". MLive.com. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
  11. ^ "Who is Wynton Bernard?". blessyouboys.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  12. ^ Staff Reporter. "Erie SeaWolves outfielder Bernard boosted by faith". Erie Times-News.
  13. ^ "Tigers' Wynton Bernard continues to surprise everyone during ascent through minors". blessyouboys.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  14. ^ "Detroit Tigers Option Wynton Bernard— What it Means". motorcitybengals.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  15. ^ "Tigers' Wynton Bernard: DFA'd by Tigers on Saturday". cbssports.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  16. ^ Gleason, Bucky (May 17, 2016). "Niagara University product Bernard making a run toward the majors". Buffalo News. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  17. ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2016". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  18. ^ "The most interesting Giants non-roster invitees". mccoveychronicles.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  19. ^ Orsatti, Joe (November 22, 2016). "Minor League Signings Roundup — Edition 4". scout.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  20. ^ "Giants 'so happy' for ex-Sacramento teammate Wynton Bernard, MLB's most inspiring story". sfchronicle.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  21. ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2017". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  22. ^ "Cubs' Wynton Bernard: Signs with Cubs". cbssports.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  23. ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2018". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  24. ^ "Cubs re-signed OF Wynton Bernard to a minor league contract". nbcsports.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  25. ^ a b "Wynton Bernard College, Minor, Winter & Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  26. ^ "Wynton Bernard Player Card". baseballprospectus.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  27. ^ "Wynton Bernard Stats, Fantasy & News". milb.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  28. ^ "Skeeters Re-Sign OF Wynton Bernard". atlanticleague.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  29. ^ "Atlantic League cancels season; York, Lancaster explore options". abc27.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  30. ^ "M-SABR Interviews: Wynton Bernard Is Finally A Big Leaguer". msabr.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  31. ^ a b "Wynton Bernard Stats, Fantasy & News". MiLB.com. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  32. ^ "2021-22 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  33. ^ "Rockies' Wynton Bernard: Signs MiLB deal with Rockies". cbssports.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  34. ^ Harding, Thomas (August 12, 2022). "Mom's reaction to son's long-awaited callup is priceless". MLB.com. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  35. ^ "Rockies Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. Colorado Rockies. August 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  36. ^ "Wynton Bernard makes emotional debut after 11-year journey to the majors". washingtonpost.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  37. ^ Smith, Kevin (15 August 2022). "Rockies' Wynton Bernard makes debut in MLB after playing in minor leagues". ATS.io. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  38. ^ "Wynton Bernard was the feel-good story of 2022". purplerow.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  39. ^ "Rockies' Wynton Bernard: Loses spot on 40-man roster". cbssports.com. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  40. ^ "2022-23 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  41. ^ "Blue Jays' Wynton Bernard: Signs deal with Blue Jays". cbssports.com. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
  42. ^ "Blue Jays release two players: veteran outfielder Wynton Bernard and prospect Kyle Johnston (from the Daniel Hudson trade)". bluejaysnation.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  43. ^ https://www.milb.com/transactions/2023-06-29/p-3
  44. ^ "2023 MiLB Free Agents". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  45. ^ "White Sox's Wynton Bernard: Inks MiLB deal with White Sox". cbssports.com. Retrieved November 30, 2023.

External links

Midwest League Most Valuable Player
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