TORONTO, ONT. — On Friday, the Toronto Blue Jays officially announced the signing of former Niagara Baseball student-athlete Wynton Bernard who was a member of the Purple Eagle program from 2009-2012.
Last season, Bernard was the subject of multiple national storylines after his call-up to the Colorado Rockies after spending 10 seasons in minor league baseball. On Aug. 12, 2022, the Poway, California native made his MLB debut, in that game against the Arizona Diamondbacks he notched his first big league hit on an infield single.
He played in 12 games with the Rockies and had a .286 average with three stolen bases and three RBI. In the field he played each of the three outfield positions and made 25 putouts and had an assist.
During his time with the Purple Eagles he appeared in 140 games over his four years and had a .279 batting average, 138 hits, and 68 RBI while swiping 72 bases and scoring 75 runs. Following his collegiate career, he was drafted in the 35th round of the 2012 MLB First-Year Player Draft by the San Diego Padres.
Bernard’s contract with the Blue Jays is a minor league contract but has been invited to Blue Jays spring training. Toronto’s AAA affiliate is the Buffalo Bisons of the International League. He has played 884 games in the minors and has a .289 batting average and .350 on base percentage. Of the 884 games, 438 have came at the AAA level where he had a .273 batting average along with 93 stolen bases and 232 runs.
Bernard and fellow former Niagara pitcher Matt Brash who both be at big league spring training as Brash is a member of the Seattle Mariners.
On Feb. 4, Bernard will be the keynote speaker at the 7th Annual Niagara Baseball First Pitch Dinner at the Niagara Riverside Resort, registration is still open for the event and you can register by clicking HERE.Stay connected with Niagara Baseball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Follow Niagara Athletics all year long on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and purpleeagles.com
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