{"id":125868,"date":"2026-07-15T11:58:06","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T15:58:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=125868"},"modified":"2026-07-15T11:58:06","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T15:58:06","slug":"the-2026-mlb-draft-proved-baseball-is-still-a-family-game-bonds-thome-pettitte-and-sabathia-continue-legendary-legacies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/07\/15\/the-2026-mlb-draft-proved-baseball-is-still-a-family-game-bonds-thome-pettitte-and-sabathia-continue-legendary-legacies\/","title":{"rendered":"The 2026 MLB Draft Proved Baseball Is Still a Family Game: Bonds, Thome, Pettitte and Sabathia Continue Legendary Legacies"},"content":{"rendered":"

Unlike any other professional sport, baseball is woven through generations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Children grow up in clubhouses. They shag batting practice alongside Hall of Famers. They learn the game’s unwritten rules long before they ever put on a professional uniform. While talent still has to be earned, there is no question that growing up around the game provides a unique education<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The 2026 MLB Draft served as another reminder that baseball truly is a family business.<\/span><\/p>\n

Several of the draft’s most recognizable names belonged to players carrying famous last names, including <\/span>Peyton Bonds<\/a>, Landon Thome<\/a>, Luke Pettitte<\/a>, and Carsten Sabathia III<\/a>. Each begins his own professional journey with expectations that extend beyond his own talent, while hoping to build a legacy that stands on its own.<\/p>\n

Here’s a closer look at four of the most fascinating family connections from this year’s draft.<\/span><\/p>\n

Peyton Bonds: Carrying Baseball’s Most Famous Last Name<\/span><\/h2>\n

Few names in baseball history resonate like Bonds.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"The
23. Barry Bonds – 59.1 Syndication: USA TODAY<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The San Francisco Giants selected outfielder <\/span>Peyton Bonds in the third round (90th overall), bringing another member of one of baseball’s most iconic families into professional baseball. Peyton is the son of Bobby Bonds Jr., the grandson of Bobby Bonds<\/a>, and the nephew of Barry Bonds<\/a>, Major League Baseball’s all-time home run leader. Perhaps fittingly, the organization most associated with Barry Bonds is now giving Peyton his opportunity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Peyton isn’t simply relying on his last name. At Rutgers, he developed into one of the draft’s most intriguing athletes, earning praise for his plate discipline, defensive instincts in center field, and impressive physical tools. Scouts believe there’s untapped offensive upside if his power continues to develop, making him one of the more interesting long-term projects in this draft class.<\/span><\/p>\n

The comparisons to his legendary uncle will inevitably follow him, but Peyton’s game is already carving out its own identity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Landon Thome: Following a Hall of Fame Father<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Chicago White Sox added another familiar baseball name when they selected <\/span>Landon Thome with the 34th overall pick.<\/p>\n

The son of Hall of Famer Jim Thome<\/a>, Landon starred at Nazareth Academy in Illinois, where he established himself as one of the nation’s premier high school infielders. He earned Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year honors after posting eye-popping offensive numbers and showcasing a polished left-handed swing that scouts believe will translate well to professional baseball.<\/span><\/p>\n

While Jim Thome became one of baseball’s greatest power hitters, Landon profiles differently. Evaluators describe him as a more complete offensive player with advanced bat-to-ball skills, athleticism, and defensive versatility. Though he played shortstop in high school, many believe his long-term home will be second or third base.<\/span><\/p>\n

The White Sox hope the Thome name once again becomes synonymous with winning baseball on the South Side.<\/span><\/p>\n

Luke Pettitte: The Yankees Keep It in the Family<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Some draft selections simply feel right.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Yankees selecting <\/span>Luke Pettitte, the son of franchise legend Andy Pettitte<\/a>, was one of those moments.<\/span><\/p>\n

Taken in the eighth round, Luke arrives after starring at Dallas Baptist as a two-way player. While recovering from Tommy John surgery prevented him from pitching this season, he showcased his offensive ability by hitting 16 home runs in just 42 games as a designated hitter. His long-term future remains intriguing because he has legitimate potential both on the mound and at the plate.<\/span><\/p>\n

Andy Pettitte won 256 Major League games, captured five World Series championships, and became one of the defining pitchers of the Yankees’ dynasty years.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, his son begins writing the next chapter in pinstripes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Carsten Sabathia III: Following a Hall of Fame Ace<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Late in the draft, the Milwaukee Brewers selected first baseman <\/span>Carsten Sabathia III, the so<\/strong>n of Hall of Fame pitcher CC Sabathia.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

While his father dominated hitters from the mound for nearly two decades, Carsten has forged his own path as a position player. The Brewers saw enough offensive upside to invest a draft pick in him, giving the Sabathia family another opportunity to impact the major leagues\u2014this time from the batter’s box instead of the pitcher’s mound.<\/span><\/p>\n

For Carsten, the challenge will be familiar. Every accomplishment will naturally be compared to one of the greatest left-handed pitchers of his generation.<\/span><\/p>\n

But like the other legacy players in this class, he’ll have every opportunity to create his own story.<\/span><\/p>\n

Baseball’s Greatest Tradition<\/span><\/h2>\n

Every generation produces sons, nephews, grandsons, and brothers who dream of following their families into professional baseball.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some reach the majors.<\/span><\/p>\n

A select few become stars.<\/span><\/p>\n

An even smaller group builds Hall of Fame careers.<\/span><\/p>\n

The 2026 MLB Draft reminded everyone why baseball continues to produce these remarkable family stories. The game is passed down through backyard catch sessions, batting cages, Little League fields, and countless conversations between generations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Talent may open the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

But passion for the game is often inherited.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Last Word<\/span><\/h2>\n

Peyton Bonds.<\/span><\/p>\n

Landon Thome.<\/span><\/p>\n

Luke Pettitte.<\/span><\/p>\n

Carsten Sabathia III.<\/span><\/p>\n

Each carries one of baseball’s most recognizable names into professional baseball, but none will be judged solely by their family history.<\/span><\/p>\n

The next chapter now belongs to them.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Whether they become All-Stars, role players, or simply fulfill lifelong dreams by reaching the major leagues, they already represent something special about baseball.<\/span><\/p>\n

No sport celebrates family quite like America’s pastime, and the 2026 MLB Draft proved that baseball’s greatest legacy isn’t measured only in championships or Hall of Fame plaques.<\/span><\/p>\n

It’s measured in generations.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The 2026 MLB Draft showcased baseball’s greatest tradition as Peyton Bonds, Landon Thome, Luke Pettitte and Carsten Sabathia III were all selected. Here’s why baseball remains the ultimate family sport.<\/p>\n

The 2026 MLB Draft wasn’t just about the next generation of stars\u2014it was about the next generation of baseball families. From the Bonds and Thome names to the Pettittes and Sabathias, this year’s draft reminded fans that baseball’s greatest tradition is passing the game from one generation to the next.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5710,"featured_media":124015,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"894","footnotes":""},"categories":[4454,29142,2,1071,29143,1],"tags":[997,70,858,928,1290],"class_list":["post-125868","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-baseball-history","category-fan-culture","category-featured","category-mlb","category-mlb-draft","category-uncategorized","tag-andy-pettitte","tag-barry-bonds","tag-cc-sabathia","tag-jim-thome","tag-mlb-draft"],"modified_by":"Eddie Lennon, Staff Writer","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/125868","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5710"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=125868"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/125868\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":125909,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/125868\/revisions\/125909"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/124015"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=125868"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=125868"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=125868"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}