Swinging for the fences: the story of TCU Baseball's Tommy Sacco Jr.

Tommy Sacco Jr. started playing baseball because it was his father’s sport, but somewhere along the way it became his passion. While having graduated from TCU in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, Tommy is fully focused on being one of, roughly, 1,000 players in Major League Baseball.

Leading the Horned Frogs in numerous offensive categories, Tommy capped off his senior year with TCU Baseball in style. He was named to the 2022 1st-team All-Big 12; finishing with a .355 batting average, 14 home runs, 58 runs batted in (RBI) and a 1.088 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS), all of which led the team.

While the switch-hitting shortstop provided an explosive bat at the plate, his stellar defense also made a tremendous impact as he posted a 0.975 fielding percentage, making only six errors. One of the top players and leaders on the team, Tommy became “one of two Horned Frogs to play in and start all 60 games during the season,” (TCU Baseball).

As a result of his extraordinary 2022 season, Tommy was drafted in the 14th round of the MLB Draft by the Houston Astros, and currently plays with Single-A affiliate Fayetteville Woodpeckers of the Carolina League.

Although Tommy racked up numerous career honors in his collegiate career and was drafted by the Astros, it came with an abundance of sacrifice and struggle, particularly in the 2021 season.

Tommy Sacco looks on after connecting with a pitch. (Photo courtesy of Tommy Sacco)
Tommy Sacco looks on after connecting with a pitch. (Photo courtesy of Tommy Sacco)

Tommy Sacco with his family after graduation. (Courtesy of Tommy Sacco)
Tommy Sacco with his family after graduation. (Courtesy of Tommy Sacco)

A boy from Gilbert, AZ

Tommy’s baseball journey began in his hometown of Gilbert, Arizona where he was coached by his father, Tom Sacco Sr. “who played college baseball at the University of Miami and was part of the Hurricanes’ 1982 national championship team,” (Drew Davison).

Playing tee-ball in his youth team, Tommy bonded with kids around a sport that had been played by many in his family. Tommy said, “My dad and my [grandfather] both coached my tee-ball team. That was a core group of kids and dads that we had for a while.”

While baseball had always been part of Tommy’s life, it was not until he was older that he fell in love with the game of baseball. Tom Sr. said, “When he started to play travel ball and he got with his coach Lou Frazier, it went from being something that Daddy wants me to do, to something that I really want to do.”

Tommy went on to play four years of varsity baseball at Perry High School, the home of the Pumas. But without receiving any Division I offers out of high school, Tommy looked to refine and display his talents at Yavapai College, a local community college in Prescott, Arizona.

Tommy Sacco playing for the Roughriders at Yavapai College. (Photo courtesy of Barbara Waltman)
Tommy Sacco playing for the Roughriders at Yavapai College. (Photo courtesy of Barbara Waltman)

After two seasons with the Yavapai Roughriders, Tommy transferred to TCU and played his first season as a Horned Frog in 2020. While the 2020 season was shortened due to COVID-19, Tommy put together quite the performance in just 15 games, posting 17 hits, 13 RBIs, and a .304 batting average.

Despite an impressive and encouraging start to his collegiate career, the 2021 season proved equally difficult for Tommy. Playing 59 games, Tommy posted a mere .231 batting average with 1 home run and 27 RBIs.

Tommy said, “That 2021 year was probably the biggest obstacle that I’ve not really faced in baseball, but also life in general. I was kind of lost at the end of the year–I didn’t know what I was going to do.”

Being a gifted athlete, struggle was rare for Tommy. “What was different was that he had never had those hardships before. He never had to deal with failure,” Tom Sr. said. “Seeing him struggle was gut-wrenching. We’ve only seen Tommy be Tommy–we never saw that side of him.”

While athletes encounter challenges every day, the perspective of a parent is extremely tangible and material but is rarely considered and brought to light. Barbara Waltman, Tommy’s mother, constantly grappled with her emotions throughout that 2021 season.

“In his mind, he is always identified as a baseball player, and when he struggled, it was like if I can’t be a baseball player then who am I?” Barbara said.

Parents go through a wide range of emotions, whether that’s watching their child encounter roadblocks in academics, athletics, or life in general. In Tom Sr. and Barbara’s case, being present and knowing what their child put into his dream every single day and seeing him struggle was truly difficult. Barbara said, “He gave up a lot to be where he is, and it isn’t always as easy as people think–it’s a lot of doubt and questioning.”

One message that both parents consistently preached was self-value and the importance of never losing touch with who you are. Barbara said, “We had to reassure him that you’re still our same, wonderful son that you were before, and that you just play baseball–it’s not who you are.”

Tommy received an abundance of support from his parents, two sisters, Kathryn and Jennifer, along with his girlfriend Jenna. It is undoubted the Sacco’s support provided strongholds for him when he dealt with the significant setback in 2021.

Tommy Sacco with his family. (Photo courtesy of Barbara Waltman)

Tommy Sacco with the 2022 Big 12 Champion trophy. (Photo courtesy of Barbara Waltman)

Tommy Sacco and his girlfriend Jenna (left). (Photo courtesy of Barbara Waltman)

Tommy Sacco with his family and friends before a TCU baseball game. (Photo courtesy of Barbara Waltman)

Given his father’s experience playing collegiate and minor league baseball, Tom Sr. had a significant role in helping his son when it came to the baseball side of things. On an emotional level, “Once you leave the baseball field, it’s got to be over,” said Tom Sr. “It’s back to being Tommy-kid–watching TV, baseball games, video games. And having been his coach for a while, it was very difficult for me to do.”

During the 2021 season, Tom Sr. and Barbara were unsure if he wanted to continue playing. They had never seen their son face hardship in such a way before, and for a period, the thought of continuing was in question. For Tom Sr., he knew his son had it in him because “The talent doesn’t just go away… it just needed rekindling.”

But it was in the offseason following the 2021 campaign that Tommy reinvented himself as a ballplayer. The key for Tommy was that “He went back to basics. He devoted a lot of time to it, making the changes, and really worked hard,” Tom Sr. said.

Tommy Sacco ranges across and makes a diving play (Photo courtesy of Barbara Waltman)
Tommy Sacco ranges across and makes a diving play (Photo courtesy of Barbara Waltman)

This particular offseason rejuvenated Tommy to be ready for his senior season as a Horned Frog. Despite winning the Big 12 in 2021 Tommy said, “I feel like I didn’t earn it. I felt like everyone earned it for me.”

Looking back on the 2022 season, Tommy said, “I came back after that 2021 season and felt like I wasn’t done… and being able to win the Big 12 again, having the year I did was like I earned this ring, which is really special to me.”

Following a stellar season, Tommy made a case for himself and could not be overlooked by major league scouts leading up to the 2022 MLB Draft.

The prospect of being drafted can be very exciting, but it was filled with anxiety and stress for Tommy and his family.

Day One: July 17. No call.

Day Two: July 18. No call.

Reflecting on the final day of the draft, Barbara said, “It was terrible. It was high anxiety and emotional because with every tick of the clock, with every pick that passed, I could see his dream going away.”

As a distraction, Tommy and his family turned to playing poker to redirect their stress. Therefore, Tom Sr. described the process as mind-numbing–one that entails a rollercoaster of emotions and is the ultimate waiting game.

And then came the call.

Round: 14, Overall Pick: 433

Dreams become reality

With that phone call, Tommy Sacco Jr. officially became the newest member of the Houston Astros. The first feeling that he experienced? Relief.

“This is something I’ve been waiting for over the past six years,” Tommy said. “The whole process of it was up and down because there was so much uncertainty about what was actually going to happen,” he said.

While persisting through the draft process, Tommy was reminded of what his parents ingrained in him from an early age–control what you can control. Despite being in a draft class with four other shortstops, Tommy’s experience playing at an elite level and dealing with adversity sets him apart from the rest.

“I think the best part for me is that I have endured struggles that have set back my career already. I know how to handle it and I have shown I know how to do it,” Tommy said. “My baseball mindset and skills have taken on a whole new level, and learning how to really deal with failure, I feel ready for pro ball more than ever.”

As an educator, Barbara understands the importance of working hard and inspiring children to persevere. “What you want kids to see is that the bumps are bumps in the road, how you get through them and how you pick yourself up, that’s what is going to lead you into life,” she said. “I am incredibly proud of him for the person he is and he happens to play baseball.”

For Tom Sr., a coach, and more importantly a father, this was a special moment as his son would be able to continue living his dream. “He’s an incredible human being, he’s respectful, considerate, thoughtful, and very loyal. He’s just a really good person,” Tom Sr. said.

Next Stop: West Palm, FL

After being drafted, Tommy and the rest of the Astros’ draft class made their way to West Palm, Florida to complete physicals and sign contracts. Following the brief period in West Palm, Tommy went to North Carolina where he played for the Fayetteville Woodpeckers.

In his short time with the Woodpeckers, Tommy is continuing his adjustment to professional baseball life.

Despite the change in pace, Tommy said, “TCU prepared me for the high level of competition around you, not just playing against you, but on your own team.” Regarding the skill level of players, Tommy recognizes that minor leaguers are much more refined in their abilities, on both the pitching and hitting fronts.

When it comes to camaraderie, Tommy and the rest of his Astros draft class have grown incredibly close over the last few months. He said, “We’re all going through the same thing, we’re all starting our professional careers whether you got drafted in the 1st or the 20th [round]... We're all pulling for each other.”

While Tommy is incredibly excited to continue this new chapter of his life and career, he is optimistic for the future. “Ideally, a year from now, I don’t want to be starting on the same team,” he said. “I don’t want to be the same person or player that I am today.”

As Tommy looks back on his early career, he has always felt that baseball was his calling. “I started at such a young age and it was one of those things that I always did and loved to do,” he said. For someone that has played baseball his entire life, Tommy remains a student of the game–never taking anything for granted and always looking to learn from his coaches and teammates.