Once a Wahoo, now a key component in the Salem Red Sox organization; Reed Gragnani not only brings elite collegiate experience to the diamond but he brings an unmatched work ethic evolved from constant competition and education. Gragnani, who was the number 663 overall pick in the 2013 MLB Draft by Boston, is a guy who has been molded into a class act through strict morals and high expectations.
Luckily for him and his family, Gragnani has played most of his home games within the state lines of Virginia. Starting at Mills Godwin High School in Richmond, Va. Gragnani then earned a spot in the Cavalier lineup in Charlottesville, Va. and now he finds himself as the hottest hitter in the clubhouse of the Boston Red Sox Advanced Class A Affiliate, the Salem Red Sox.
Though just six games into the 2014 season, Gragnani has been used to the spotlight and has no plans of getting out of it in today’s Insider Extra Special. I caught up with the former All-ACC infielder after a batting practice session over at LewisGale Field in Salem, Va.
Here’s what Gragnani had to say:
ON HIS EARLY SUCCESS:
“I think it comes from my family and I had some great people in my ear telling me to stay humble throughout. I think my parents, brother, and sister were great role models for me growing up and taught me to do things the right way and to never be content with having success early and I just think that was the biggest factor to stay even-keeled.”
ON HIS SIBLINGS (One brother, One sister):
“We used to play a little baseball game inside when we were younger and we would always be pretty competitive in that. We had a little bat and a little sponge ball that we used and all three of us were, you know, very competitive in that aspect. Growing up I just went to all my brothers games and followed VCU baseball and I wanted to be like him so, those two along with my parents had a great influence on me and really accelerated my maturity level at a young age.”
ON PLAYING PING-PONG:
“I’m pretty good, I’ll leave it at that, haha.”
ON HIS CAREER IN CHARLOTTESVILLE:
“The first thing I think of when I think of UVA is the team camaraderie we had and the relationships that I built with some of the players and coaches that I’ll never forget. Certainly there were some ups and downs on the field and I dealt with a lot of injuries there and coming back from those but, they shaped me into who I am today and I wouldn’t change a thing from that experience. I would say the most memorable experience would be making it to Omaha and then the lowest experience I had was missing my junior year when I had a complete tear in my quad muscle from top to bottom.”
ON JOE HARRIS (UVA Basketball Star):
“I’ve had some interaction with him. We’ve had a few times where we were out together. From what I’ve heard and what I’ve seen he’s a grounded guy, humble guy that, you know, likes to keep to himself. The basketball team is a class act and they have a bunch of great guys. I know Coach Bennett brings players and recruits to baseball games so we’re very supportive of all the programs there.”
ON HIS FAVORITE ALL-TIME MEMORY AS A WAHOO:
“Definitely the Irvine game in the Super Regional! I was on first base and Chris Taylor got the hit and hit second base and then we dog piled to go to Omaha and I don’t think it gets much better than that to be honest.”
ON HIS FAVORITE THING TO DO IN THE OFF SEASON:
“Cherish the moments, spend time with my family and soak it all in. That’s probably my number one thing I always do.”
ON HIS IDEAL VACATION SPOT:
“Probably Italy. I’m Italian so I’d really like to learn more about the culture there and stuff like that.”
ON MOVING UP IN THE RED SOX ORGANIZATION:
“You really need to take it one pitch at a time, one game at a time and understand that when you start putting the team before yourself that’s when success comes even at a developmental stage in the minor leagues. It has to be about the team and what can you do to help the team win and when you worry about that and control the things you can control, you see success follows you. So right now, we’ve only played six or so games and I just try to treat every day like it’s a new day, it’s an Opening Day, it’s a new opportunity so that’s been my approach.”
ON LEAGUE HISTORY BEING ON THE LINE AFTER JUST SIX GAMES:
“The streak is 50 or 60 years long so obviously it would be a very special thing for this city, for this town and for this team’s organization to have that record. But, we want to take care of business tonight, we want to win every single game and compete to the highest of our capabilities. I know the streak means more to the city and organization but we’ll do everything in our control to make it happen.”
ON ADVICE FOR YOUNG ATHLETES WHO DREAM TO BE A PRO ATHLETE:
“I just tell them to keep dreaming! Know that anything is possible and that they can control their own destiny. It doesn’t matter what environment they grew up with and who their friends are now, this and that, anything bad that has ever happened they can control their own thoughts and path. That’s the biggest advice is that everyone has something special inside of them so its up to you whether you use it or not.”
