Grindle Ready For The Challenges Ahead At Pitt

MANSFIELD, Ma. - While many feel a bit stressed out at times during the recruiting process, Cameron Grindle is used to being in pressure situations. He has excelled at it on the mound. It is also what attracted Pittsburgh to the 13th-rated 2023 right-handed pitcher in New England and now Grindle is a commit to the Atlantic Coast Conference school.

“They like my pitching, especially the tail on my fastball and my velocity,” Grindle pointed out. “Another point they made is when they saw me in person, when I pitched from behind I didn’t lose focus and was able to battle back in those situations. That was something they really liked.”

The fifth-ranked junior right-handed pitcher from Massachusetts believes that is a commodity he can provide to a Pitt program that last made the NCAA Tournament in 1995.

“I see myself bringing a lot of wins,” the 11th-grader at Xaverian Brothers High School said. “I see myself as a pure competitor. Even when I get down I’m always able to battle back and not lose focus. That’s one thing I can bring to the table, the ability to pitch in pressure situations.”

With schools like Northeastern, Boston College, Harvard, Brown, Columbia, Bryant, Kentucky and Maine showing an interest in the 18th-ranked junior from Massachusetts, recruitment had its fair share of anxious moments.

“My main goal since Little League has been to play college baseball,” Grindle reflected. “Last year is when my skill set picked up and it’s even greater this year. I knew what I wanted to do and I’ve worked toward it.

“Early this spring I started reaching out to colleges and letting them know who I was,” Grindle continued. “In the summer I reached out and gave coaches my schedule and started texting with more colleges. I went to a PBR in Connecticut and got more recognition. After that it picked up a bunch more.”

Recent improvements have also been beneficial, according to the 32md-rated 2023 in New England.

“One of the main aspects has been hitting the weight room,” pointed out Grindle, who turned 17 on Nov. 28. “I really hadn’t hit that, but since last winter I’ve seen a huge jump in velo, from 81 in the spring to 86 this fall.”

NEB coaches Mike Abraham and Scott Patterson along with pitching coaches Gardy O’Flynn and John DeRouin are among those that have been influential in the eyes of Grindle, who carries an unweighted 3.97 GPA and is looking to major in a medical field or business at Pittsburgh.

“I’m really looking forward to traveling with the team, getting to know all my teammates and playing my best baseball,” Grindle said. “I like the city atmosphere and as soon as I went there I fell in love with the city.

“The coaches were really welcoming, my favorite coaches I talked to by far,” Grindle added. “I also feel the Pitt program is kind of turning it around and I can see getting there and competing for the top of the ACC.”

A one-hour flight or 10-hour drive from home is no concern for Grindle, who is pleased to have the recruiting process over.

“It’s exciting and really relieving,” admitted Grindle, who this coming spring is hoping to help Xaverian Brothers to another Division I state baseball championship. “This has been my main focus the past year and it’s been stressful. Knowing I found the right fit for me is really exciting.”