The K Zone

November 7th 2016

Updated on December 9th 2017

Grant Dyer

Interviewed By Mike Duffy

Mike Duffy: With a good era and whip do you think your a prime example of someone who’s talent is not seen in in wins and losses?

Grant Dyer: Yeah I mean it’s tough for any reliever to be judged on their wins/loss record since they mostly pitch later in the game.

Mike Duffy: What was it like being the first guy from ucla to get drafted?

Grant Dyer: Coming from a school like UCLA we always expect to have a decent amount of guys drafted since they’ve built a strong legacy of baseball at that school. So to be fortunate enough to be the first one drafted from the team was an awesome experience.

Mike Duffy: Besides your hard work who else do you dedicate your success too?

Grant Dyer: I dedicate any success I have to my parents and a family friends that have been supportive. I wouldn’t be here without them.

Mike Duffy: What is it like knowing that the team your on is a rebuilding team but the farm is competitive?

Grant Dyer: The Phillies are without a doubt one of the best minor league systems in baseball, if not the best.

Mike Duffy: How hard is it to earn the saver spot?

Grant Dyer: Any important role required hard work. But to be the closer you have to be mentally tough and competitive every day.

Mike Duffy: What do you have to work on the most this off season?

Grant Dyer: I just need to get stronger and mature as a pitcher.

Mike Duffy: One word to describe the lakewood blue claws? Williamsport cross cutters?

Grant Dyer: Blueclaws: competitive and Crosscutters: fun

Mike Duffy: What is your favorite stadium to play at?

Grant Dyer: I love playing at home in Lakewood. The field/fans are the best!

Mike Duffy: What was your favorite team growing up?

Grant Dyer: I grew up an angels fan, but now I’m all out Phillies fan.

Mike Duffy: Who is your favorite batter to face?

Grant Dyer: I love facing any hitter that I personally know or have played with before. It adds a little extra edge.

Mike Duffy: I was wondering when you go from high school to college to the minor leagues, what was the biggest challenge when you reach each stage?

Grant Dyer: Each level comes with more responsibility, so learning how to handle that can be a challenge at times. In college it was dealing with school during the day and baseball in the early mornings/afternoons/weekends, and keeping your grades up too. In pro ball it’s dealing with more freedom and learning how to take care of yourself to stay healthy and mentally focused for a 142 game season.

Mike Duffy: What is your favorite hobby besides baseball?

Grant Dyer: Hobbies would be mostly surfing and fishing.

Mike Duffy: Who was your favorite baseball player growing up?

Grant Dyer: My favorite player is Mariano Rivera. As a relief pitcher there’s nobody better to look up to.

Mike Duffy: Goals for this offseason?

Grant Dyer: Goal for this offseason is to just get as strong as possible, so when my arm is healthy again I’ll be able to hit the ground running and get my career back on track.

Mike Duffy: What is your favorite Movie?

Grant Dyer: My favorite movie is Forrest Gump.

Mike Duffy: Do you have a motto or a thing to do to get you out of a rough time?

Grant Dyer: I have a few sayings that I like to keep fresh in my head all the time, especially during any hard times.

Mike Duffy: When did you know you wanted to play professional baseball?

Grant Dyer: I knew I wanted to play pro ball as soon as I went to a game for the first time, I was 4 years old and just started playing T-ball. Been my dream/goal ever since.

Mike Duffy: What is your favorite baseball memory?

Grant Dyer: My favorite baseball memory is a tie between a few…winning the Pac12 championship in college, getting drafted by the Phillies in 2016, and clinching playoffs in my first pro ball season.