Grant's path to baseball success influenced by brother

Vauxhall Academy Jets INF Max Grant (Fredericton, N.B.) scoops up a ground ball in practice at Junior National Team camp on Friday. Photo: Abdul Ibrahim

March 17, 2020

By Abdul Ibrahim

Canadian Baseball Network

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Infielder Max Grant’s journey into baseball went through his brother Jack.

The younger Grant is a Canisius College commit who is eligible for the 2020 Major League draft. He played third base for the Canadian National Junior Team this spring.

He credits his brother for getting in, and staying in, the sport.

“Obviously a great amount,” Grant said, of his sibling’s influence. “If my brother probably wouldn’t have played baseball, I don’t know if I would have got into it.

“Especially being able to move away from home and go to an academy, which is also the next step. So, that’s obviously a big impact.”

Grant, 17, was a two-sport athlete growing up, playing both hockey and baseball, taking after his brother who also played both sports.

Despite his love for hockey back in Fredericton, N.B., it wasn’t much of a debate as to which he would like to solely pursue when the time came to make that decision.

“Baseball was always my true love,” Grant said, in the sun at the Baseball City junior training camp. “I love being in the locker room with the guys and hockey and stuff but when it came down to a decision, I had to pick baseball.”

It’s also the doors that the game has opened.

Grant moved from home out to Vauxhall Academy of Baseball in Vauxhall, Alberta for his Grade 11 year.

While the change was something to adjust to, the lessons and learning that have come out of it have been invaluable, he believes. Being a part of the National program and playing in three Tournament 12’s (the national scouting combine run by the Toronto Blue Jays each September) has also played a key part in his development.

In four games at the 2019 Tournament 12 for Team Green, Grant hit .444 avg. with two runs and three stolen bases in nine at-bats.

“I’ve been able to get a lot of great coaching, especially going to one of the top-end academies in the country instead of just staying home and playing with my buddies,” said Grant. “It’s obviously a lot better — that’s not a shot at anybody back home, but you just don’t get the coaching you do from former professionals, who’ve been at the highest level.

“Being only 18 years old and being able to travel across your country and to other countries just to play baseball really opens your eyes to see how other people do it.”