Anfernee Grier ‘speechless’ over D-backs picking him
Jun 10, 2016, 2:40 PM
Auburn’s Anfernee Grier (10) dives and catches a fly ball during the second inning of a game against LSU at the Southeastern Conference NCAA college baseball tournament at the Hoover Met, Wednesday, May 20, 2015, in Hoover, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
(AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Anfernee Grier will remember June 9, 2016 for the rest of his life.
It was the day the Arizona Diamondbacks selected him with the 37th overall pick in the MLB Amateur Draft.
Grier spoke with Bickley and Marotta on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Friday about his reaction to hearing his name called.
“I was speechless. Going into it I was nervous. I was sitting around with my family waiting, watching everybody else go,” Grier said. “I finally got a phone call saying the Diamondbacks were interested, but I wasn’t even sure they were going to take me.”
Grier is looking forward to the next step now, although he’s not certain where that will be just yet.
“I’m not sure where I’ll get placed as of now. I’m ready to get into a league and work hard to eventually get to the big leagues,” Grier said. “Signings should be quick, but I’m not sure how long it will draw out. Hopefully everything will go smooth.”
As a multi-tooled center fielder, Grier patterns his game to the likes of Andrew McCutchen and Adam Jones. He has watched a lot of video of the two all-star outfifelders and has applied their games to his style.
With Auburn, Grier earned First-Team All-American honors this season with a .336 batting average, 12 home runs, 41 RBI and 19 stolen bases.
Despite his collegiate accomplishments, Grier realizes that getting drafted is just step one and that improvement is still needed to reach the major leagues.
“I’m trying to take everything to the next level. I’m working on every part of my game.”
