Wynton Bernard

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

Wynton Bernard
Bernard with the Rockies in 2022
Toronto Blue Jays
Outfielder
Born: (1990-09-24) September 24, 1990
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

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
Bernard with the Sacramento River Cats in 2017

San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres selected Bernard in the 35th round of the 2012 MLB draft.[4] He played in the Padres' farm system during 2012 and 2013, advancing to the Class A-Advanced level.[5] The Padres released Bernard in February 2014. He signed with the Detroit Tigers in March 2014.[6][7][8] He played for the Low-A West Michigan Whitecaps in 2014, and was named the Most Valuable Player of the Midwest League. He played for the Double-A Erie SeaWolves in 2015[9] and the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens in 2016.[10]

Giants and Cubs organization

He later spent time in the San Francisco Giants organization during 2017, and the Chicago Cubs organization during 2018 and 2019.[5] He did not play in Minor League Baseball during 2020,[5] due to cancellation of the minor-league season.

Colorado Rockies

Bernard signed with the Colorado Rockies in January 2021, and spent the 2021 season with the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes.[11] He returned to Albuquerque for the 2022 season.[11] He was notified that he was being called up on August 11, 2022,[12] and was officially added to the Rockies' MLB roster on August 12.[13] He made his major-league debut that evening, recording a hit, stolen base, and run scored.[12] After recording a base hit and a stolen base, he became the oldest player to do so in their major league debut since 1907.[14] He elected free agency on November 10, 2022.

Toronto Blue Jays

On January 24, 2023, Bernard signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays organization.[15]

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.[5]

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.[6]

Bernard appeared on the TV game show Family Feud 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 College, Minor, Winter & Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  6. "Tigers prospect watch: Wynton Bernard runs onto 40-man". Freep.com. Retrieved 2022-08-14.
  7. "Wynton Bernard thankful for opportunity with Tigers". Freep.com. 2015-01-24. Retrieved 2022-08-14.
  8. "Whitecaps' Wynton Bernard races onto All-Star team". Hollandsentinel.com. Retrieved 2022-08-14.
  9. Staff Reporter. "Erie SeaWolves outfielder Bernard boosted by faith". Erie Times-News.
  10. Gleason, Bucky (January 1, 1970). "Niagara University product Bernard making a run toward the majors". Buffalo News. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  11. "Wynton Bernard Stats, Fantasy & News". MiLB.com. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  12. Harding, Thomas (August 12, 2022). "Mom's reaction to son's long-awaited callup is priceless". MLB.com. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  13. "Rockies Roster & Staff – Transactions". MLB.com. Colorado Rockies. August 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  14. Smith, Kevin (15 August 2022). "Rockies' Wynton Bernard makes debut in MLB after playing in minor leagues". ATS.io. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  15. "Blue Jays' Wynton Bernard: Signs deal with Blue Jays". cbssports.com. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
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