Eric Wagaman

Eric Wagaman's Biography

Born on August 14, 1997, Eric Wagaman is an acclaimed American professional infielder and outfielder who has fashioned a successful career in Major League Baseball (MLB), currently playing for the Los Angeles Angels. His journey into professional baseball was triggered by his drafting into the New York Yankees in the 13th round, where he stood as the 392nd pick in the 2017 Major League Baseball draft. Following his induction into the New York Yankees, Wagaman made his professional debut with the Pulaski Yankees, a rookie-level team.

Wagaman’s 2018 season was spent playing for the Low-A Staten Island Yankees. During his stint with the team, he made his mark in 64 games, recording a .194/.244/.333 rate with a tally of five home runs and 18 RBIs. His career took an upward swing in 2019, when he was divided between the Gulf Coast League Yankees and Single-A Charleston RiverDogs, playing a total of 88 games. His performance during the period was remarkable, scoring a .233/.293/.342 slashing rate, hitting seven home runs, and notching up 41 RBIs.

However, the progression of his career was stalled in 2020 when the entire minor league season was called off due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Wagaman nonetheless returned to form in 2021, playing for the Single-A Tampa Tarpons and High-A Hudson Valley Renegades. Over 78 games with the two affiliates, he slashed .220/.315/.364 and marked six home runs and 34 RBIs.

Continuing with the Hudson Valley in 2022, Wagaman also played for the Double-A Somerset Patriots. Over 69 games, he recorded a significant upswing in his performance by batch hitting a .258/.346/.468 and earning a career-high 13 home runs and 32 RBIs. His momentum continued into the 2023 season as well where he played for Somerset, appearing in 35 games and recording a commanding .320/.382/.500 batting line with five home runs, 16 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases.

The pinnacle of his career came towards the end of 2023 when the Los Angeles Angels selected Wagaman in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft. His performance thereafter included a distribution of 121 games split between the Double-A Rocket City Trash Pandas and Triple-A Salt Lake Bees. He proved his mettle during the period by slashing .274/.339/.469 and clocking 17 home runs, 60 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases. On September 10, 2024, Wagaman’s illustrious career earned him a promotion to the major leagues for the first time, with his selection in the 40-man roster.

Magnifying a dynamic career that spanned across various leagues and teams, Wagaman has consistently demonstrated his commitment to the game, contributing significantly to every team he has been a part of. Despite the setback of the 2020 season, his comeback and steady performance reveal a player of resilience and intense professionalism. Eric Wagaman remains a name to remember in Major League Baseball.