Eastern Wayne Today

Wayne State University’s baseball program has announced the addition of two transfer position players for the 2026 season. Head coach Ryan Kelley, now in his 18th year leading the Warriors, confirmed that infielder Nick Sandiha, Jr. and outfielder Alfredo Velazquez will join the team.

Sandiha comes to Wayne State from Macomb Community College, where he played 44 games in 2025, starting in 40 of them. He posted a .401 batting average with 57 hits, 44 runs scored, nine doubles, one triple, and six home runs. Sandiha also drove in 44 runs and had a .606 slugging percentage. He recorded 19 stolen bases and achieved a .983 fielding percentage. His performance earned him selection to the NJCAA Region XII Division II All-Region Team as well as All-MCCAA recognition and First Team All-MCCAA Eastern Conference honors. In addition to his athletic achievements, Sandiha received Academic All-MCCAA honors.

In the previous year at Madonna University, Sandiha started all 29 games he played. He batted .406 with nine doubles, one triple, one home run, and drove in 25 runs while maintaining a .467 on-base percentage.

Sandiha is a graduate of Brother Rice High School in Michigan and plans to major in Marketing at Wayne State.

Velazquez transfers from the University of Michigan after appearing in seven games for the Wolverines during the 2025 season. He scored one run at Long Beach State and made appearances against Villanova and Ohio State. Velazquez was recognized with Academic All-Big Ten honors for Spring 2025.

In his earlier season with Michigan, Velazquez made 31 appearances including one start. He recorded two hits over 17 at bats and scored seven runs. On defense, he notched putouts against Villanova and Nebraska. Velazquez also made four pitching appearances for Michigan.

A three-year letterwinner at Brother Rice High School, Velazquez helped lead his team to state semifinals as a sophomore and earned Second Team Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association Division I All-State recognition twice. Off the field, he graduated with academic honors and was involved with the National Honor Society.

Velazquez also played summer baseball for the Traverse City Pit Spitters in the Northwoods League during their record-setting season in which they finished with a league-best record of 49-22.

"Full name -- Nicholas J. Sandiha, Jr. ... born on January 19, 2005, in West Bloomfield, Mich. ... son of Nick and Sandi Sandiha ... has two younger brothers, Lucas and Jacob ... plans to major in Marketing ... last name is pronounced SAN-di-ha."

"Full name -- Alfredo G. Velazquez ... born on November 27, 2004, in Melvindale, Mich. ... son of Rosie Velazquez and Rigo Velazquez ... has two sisters, Sofia and Olivia ... Olivia runs track at Detroit Mercy ... plans to major in Exercise Science."

The additions are expected to strengthen Wayne State’s roster ahead of next season as Coach Kelley continues preparations for his upcoming campaign.