Two-way Opportunity At UConn Excites Greger

BRISTOL, Ct. - There were a number of big-time schools that had interest in Gavin Greger. But the 55th-rated 2022 in New England found what he was looking for not far from home.

“UConn was the only one to offer me as a two-way,” explained the Avon Old Farms senior. “I’m blessed to have (head) coach (Jim) Penders offer me to do both. I’m not sure what I want to be, a left-handed pitcher or an outfielder. I love to hit and steal bases. It’s special that coach Penders gave me an opportunity to be a two-way player.”

A recruiting process that began the summer heading into freshman school year moved quickly at the end.

“It was crazy to me,” related Greger, who was also considering Auburn, Oklahoma State and Minnnesota. “It happened so fast. It came out of nowhere. When Uconn offered I was super excited. I couldn’t wait.”

Improvement proved beneficial in making a connection with the Big East Conference school located less than an hour from home.

“I’ve been getting faster, getting stronger and working on my swing,” Greger said. “I just kept thinking what can I do to keep getting better, what can I do to start my freshman year. I just kept working on my craft.”

UConn was impressed with what the 6-0 186-pounder showed.

“They like that I can pitch and that I was a speedy outfielder that hits from the left side and can steal bases,” Greger noted. “I was more of a gap-to-gap guy until the summer of my junior year and then power started to play into my game.”

It helped make the desire to play at the next level start becoming more of a reality.

“Since I was young I’ve wanted to be a pro player,” Greger reflected. “I have a cousin who played with the Angels and I followed him. He got to AA ball and I wanted to do that.

“But I never really thought about it really happening until after eighth grade. That’s when I started looking into playing at the next level. By freshman year college coaches were calling my coach. That’s when I knew I could play at the next level.”

Now the opportunity is there at the university located in Storrs, Ct.

“I just want to help out the team as much as I can,” Greger said. “If I’m able to do both, I hope to bring them some innings on the mound and to get on base and steal bases.”

Help in making a commitment to a D-I school a possibility came from a number of people, including coaches Steve Baldwin, Rob Dowling, Mike Porzio, Matt Burns, Kevin Putkonen, TK Kiernan, Anthony Ruglio and Kevin Rival.

“Since I was a little kid I’ve wanted to play baseball forever,” Greger said. “My parents have helped make it happen more than anyone.”

A 3.8 student planning on a business major, the seventh-rated 2022 outfielder in New England remembers the feeling once a commitment was made.

“It didn’t even seem real,” Greger related. “My goal and dream has been to play Division I baseball at a really good school and it felt bizarre that the dream was coming true. But there’s still a lot of work ahead.

“I can’t wait for the grind of workouts every day. I look forward to traveling, getting to know all the guys on the team and having fun with my teammates. I’m ready to go to work.”