Grant Geren is an all-around amazing athlete. In addition to setting the stolen bases record at Blue Springs South (2019) and being selected an All-Conference All-District, and All-State baseball player his senior year, he also runs a 4.3 40-yard dash in football. We sat down with the Maples Woods freshman to learn more about his experience playing baseball at Inside Edge.
You enjoyed a remarkable run at Blue Springs South. Can you share a little about the honors you earned?
Thank you. I really had fun playing both baseball and football in high school. I earned 3 letters in both sports and was honored to be selected All-Conference, All-District 1st Team, and All-State for baseball my senior year. I also played in the Missouri High School All-Star Game that year.
What would you say helped you reach that level of play.
I think there are a few things. First, I was blessed with natural talent, especially speed. But, I also put in countless hours of work. In addition to baseball and football practice, I lifted weights and did speed and agility workouts.
I also had great coaching. In addition to the IE coaches, I’ve had the great fortune to work with Royals Hall-of-Famer Frank White. He was my private hitting and fielding coach for many years. He taught me a ton about the game and we worked really well together. So much so, I consider him to be my second dad when it comes to baseball.
That’s amazing. Not many players have the fortune to work with a legend like Frank White.
Yeah, I’m blessed each day when I think about everything he taught me. I would encourage every player to find a coach that they connect with and use them as much as possible.
Do you still work with White?
I don’t work with him right now, but we still talk from time to time.
Outside of your high school honors, what is your greatest baseball memory?
It’s a no-doubter. I went to all 7 games of the 2002 World Series. I got to watch Barry Bonds and the Giants battle against the Angels. I still remember Bonds smoking a line-drive home run his first at-bat in game one. I don’t remember how many home runs he hit in the series, but it seemed like he knocked one out of the park every time he was up to bat. I loved the experience so much, Pac Bell Park and Angel Stadium are still my favorite parks.
You played with Inside Edge for 4 seasons. What did that experience mean to you?
It means everything to me. Playing here completely took me on a path that I never expected. When I broke my collarbone during my senior season, I truly believed that I would not get the chance to play college baseball. The work of God helped me to rise above that injury. I had the fortune to work with amazing coaches like Dave Mitchell, Dave Silvestri, and Todd Clausen, each of whom changed my life and got me where I am today. They truly cared about me and want me to succeed.
Wow. That’s incredible! You mentioned playing in college. Where are you playing?
I’m at Maple Woods Community College and play outfield.
Any plans to beat Albert Pujols home run record?
I wish, but no way. I hit more for average…I just want to get on base so I can steal bases.
How has college baseball differed from high school?
It’s still pretty early in the process, but so far, I think the biggest difference is the amount of focus and time that we get to give to the game. In high school, we had so much other stuff going on that made it difficult to focus on baseball. Now, I go to class and then spend the rest of the day working on baseball. I love it and can already tell how much better it will make all of us.
Everyone seems to comment on the time commitment of college baseball. Have you adjusted well to it?
Oh yeah. The first week was a bit tough, but I was fine once I settled into a routine.
In closing, what advice would you give to a young IE player?
Your time is incredibly valuable. Make certain to use 100% of it while you have it. I broke both of my collarbones in high school, which meant I was out for an entire summer season for IE. I lost a ton of strength and missed out on several recruiting opportunities. It took a lot of time to get back to performing at a high level, but I was focused and tried to use my time as wisely as possible. If you take it seriously now and use the coaches and facilities available to you, you can go anywhere in this game that you want.
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