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Grant Wolfram, a 2015 Hamilton High School graduate and left-handed pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles, returned home during Major League Baseball’s All-Star break for a workout at Hamilton High School. After throwing with Coach Brian Grabinski, he reconnected with his former varsity baseball coach, Ken DeGood, for a conversation about his recent MLB success and his path through professional baseball.

Wolfram made his Major League debut with the Orioles in April at Comerica Park against the Detroit Tigers after spending seven years in the minor leagues. In just his second Major League appearance, Wolfram faced New York Mets superstars and MLB All-Stars Juan Soto and Pete Alonso and struck them both out, part of a four strikeout performance in which Wolfram notched his first career win.
 “How about that? Grant Wolfram just took down Juan Soto,” the Orioles broadcasters exclaimed after the big moment.

“I try to do what I know works. I know how I can get lefties out and how I can get righties out,” Wolfram said. “I can’t think about, ‘Oh it’s Juan Soto and the $700 million.’ Because then, to me, he’s already won. I have the ball—I’m in control. I’m going to shove it down your throat. It’s going to be in the zone, go hit it.”

Wolfram has received positive feedback from teammates and coaches within the Orioles organization.
 “Charlie Morton said ‘good job’—that was sweet. Dean Kremer, Gunnar Henderson, they all gave high fives,” Wolfram said. “Andrew Kittredge came up and gave me the final ball from the game, stamped and all. They even laminated my lineup card and sent it to my house.”

While walking around the Hamilton baseball field with Coach DeGood, Wolfram reflected on his early varsity experience.
 “I remember your very first game,” DeGood chuckled. “Yeah, we were playing Bay City John Glenn,” Wolframed recalled. “I gave up three runs early, and you came out to settle me down and said, ‘Hey man, welcome to varsity baseball.’ Everyone started laughing. I remember that.”

Wolfram and DeGood also recalled his 15-strikeout during a game at Davenport University during his sophomore-year.

Now with a few successful MLB outings under his belt, Wolfram said he reflects on his entire journey often:

 “Everything I’ve gone through in some aspect of my life helps me now, even things from third or fourth grade,” he said. “You take those events and apply them.”