Greg Weissert on His Successful 2016 Season

Photo Credit: Fordham University Athletics

(Editor’s Note: Greg is a 2013 graduate of Bay Shore HS. He was selected by the New York Yankees in the 18th round of the MLB Draft out of Fordham University.)

by Greg Weissert

My last season at Fordham was the spring of 2016, and it was one that I will never forget.

Although at times it was extremely stressful–with the thought of the draft never far from my mind–I tried not to let that take away from the fun and competiveness that came with playing with my teammates, maybe for the last time.

Playing with the draft process in full effect was a new experience for me. I had to focus on my game, working to prepare for every start and keeping my emotions in check. It was fun and exciting, but at the same time, it was absolutely nerve wracking.

Going to a school like Fordham, and having played for a competitive club team, meant I had a few friends that had gone through the same process in recent years, so it was tremendously helpful to have them to turn to for information and encouragement. I was most nervous to talk with the scouts, because, after all, this was my lifelong dream. I started to get very uptight until one of my friends told me to just be myself and everything will go great. That was one of the greatest pieces of advice I could get early on in the process, and it helped tremendously with everything moving forward.

Our season was the best we’ve had in my three seasons at Fordham, going 29-29. This record put us into the playoffs for the third straight year.The end of our season was bittersweet for me, because with the draft only weeks away, I didn’t have much time to feel bad that my college career might be ending.

And then, finally, it was draft day.

Draft day was incredible for my family and me. Day one and two passed without a call, so on the third day I woke up pretty anxious. The third day of the draft is rounds 11-40, so they are calling names left and right, and for what felt like forever I was sitting in my kitchen at the counter, with my parents, my girlfriend and my brother, listening to all of these names being called. Finally, I went outside to just get some fresh air, checking the MLB Draft Tracker on Twitter every so often. I asked my brother (a freshman at Fordham this year) if he wanted to have a catch with me just to pass some of the time. After throwing for about ten minutes, I told to him to wait a minute while I checked the tracker one more time. Sure enough, the tracker read, “NY Yankees select Fordham RHP Greg Weissert.” My parents were listening live in the kitchen, and as I checked it they heard the announcement, everyone running outside to congratulate me. A lot of my family lives locally, so we had a bunch of people over that night to celebrate, with my aunt and uncle picking up every piece of Yankees merchandise they could find and bringing it all over!

My experience in the minor leagues has been amazing up to this point. Since that day in June when I saw my name pop up on the MLB Draft Tracker, I’ve progressed as a player, both mentally and physically, and I’m excited to keep working toward my potential. I started off in rookie level ball with the Pulaski Yankees (Virginia), but after about a month or so I got bumped up to the Yankees full season A-ball affiliate, the Charleston Riverdogs (South Carolina). I finished out the season there. I think one of the best parts about the minor leagues is the traveling, having an opportunity to see places that I’ve never seen before. Another thing that makes it special is the people you meet (and you meet a lot of people). In just the three or four months I played professional baseball, I’ve made great friends that I still talk to all the time.

Right now in the offseason, I am finishing up a semester at Fordham in order to get my degree. That will end before Christmas, so I will have the time before spring training begins to really focus and devote myself to baseball. It’s great to have accomplished my goal of getting drafted, but now I want more. I’m working hard every day: lifting, running, throwing. Every day, I try to push myself harder so that I can better prepare for this upcoming season. I’ve worked hard for this, and I know it will be a lot more hard work if I want to make it to the major leagues. But, I don’t want to forget to enjoy it, too. I really am living the dream.

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