Story by Gage Johnson, Staff Writer
Finding players that can make an immediate impact on a program is rare. However, every once in a while, a team finds a diamond in the rough.
Murray State has found that this season in freshman second baseman Grant Wood.
Wood is a second baseman from Jefferson City, Missouri. In his high school career, Wood received multiple accolades, including First Team All-State, Baseball Coaches Association First Team All-American and an American Baseball Coaches Association Third Team All-American.
Along with these achievements, Wood posted a stat line of a .495 batting average, 28 RBIs and three home runs, which earned him the Missouri Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year honor. Past players who have won this honor have gone on to play baseball professionally, such as outfielder Scott Van Slyke, relief pitcher Nick Tepesch, and starting pitcher Jacob Turner.
Wood went relatively unnoticed, but despite other offers ultimately chose to be a Racer after forming a solid relationship with Murray State Head Coach Kevin Moulder.
“He caught my eye,” Moulder said. “I’m from the St. Louis area, and he’s from Jefferson City Missouri, so I was familiar with his name. He’s done a great job and it’s been a big pick-me-up for us.”
Wood was happy to be able to form such a good relationship with Moulder while he was still only a junior and has jumped at the chance to prove himself as a crucial player at the college level.
“I didn’t really have many other Division I offers, so this was the best one and that’s one reason I came here,” Wood said. “Coach Moulder talked to me about how he wanted to me to play infield still and that I had a shot to play as a freshman. He said I just had to prove myself and that’s what I tried to do this fall.”
Wood has continued to prove himself early on in the spring. Wood is batting .370 on the season, to go with 20 RBIs, and an OVC leading OBP of .514. Wood has drawn the third most walks in the conference, a huge factor in his ability to get on base and make an impact on offense.
At times there can be a power struggle between players that have been in a system longer than a brand new player. However, Wood’s teammates instantly recognized his importance to the team and jumped on board.
“He keeps us all loose,” said junior shortstop Jaron Robinson. “He really knows how to play the game in a fun manner. Obviously with his talent and his ability he brings a lot to the table. With scoring runs, getting clutch plays, and big hits for us, it keeps our rallies going and keeps the energy in our dugout up.”
While most players use their early years to acclimate to the college game, Moulder said if you have the talent, you’ll get the minutes.
“I don’t care if you’re a senior, a freshman, or somewhere in between,” Moulder said. “The best players are going to go out and play. He’s a heck of a player and I’m glad we got him here.”