Sanburn made his professional debut last season with two stops in the Texas Rangers minor league system. Over nine total appearances between short season Spokane and Class-A Hickory, the 23-year old went 0-2 with a 2.35 ERA, striking out 16 and allowing just 10 hits in 15.1 innings of work. The Kokomo, Ind., native originally began his collegiate career at the University of Arkansas, making 11 relief appearances for the Razorbacks as a freshman. Sanburn transferred to Indiana University but did not play, eventually finding his way to Des Moines Area Community College, where he pitched under the tutelage of DMACC pitching coach and former Wingnuts hurler Jason Van Skike.

When Sanburn wasn’t selected in the MLB Draft following his season at DMACC, he spent the summer pitching in the Northwoods League for the Lakeshore Chinooks. Over the course of 15 relief outings and 24.1 innings, Sanburn posted an eye-popping 0.37 ERA, striking out 48 while surrendering eight hits. His performance with the Chinooks caught the attention of the Rangers, who signed him as a minor league free agent on July 18 of last year.