Grant Umbright, a senior at Naperville Central, exudes calmness on the baseball field, providing reassurance to his teammates. This quality shines when he pitches, plays third base, bats, or runs the bases.
Grant is just amazing,
said Jermaine Kenady, a junior outfielder at Naperville Central. We believe in Grant. He gives us the courage to be aggressive, so any time he’s on the mound, we know that it’s time to go.
Umbright, who earned the title of 2026 Naperville Sun Baseball Player of the Year, excelled in every aspect of the game. The John A. Logan commit was the ace pitcher, achieving a 9-1 record with a 2.03 ERA, allowing 31 hits, and striking out 71 in 48 1/3 innings. Batting third, he hit .324 and led in triples, home runs, RBIs, and runs scored.
His leadership helped Naperville Central, with a record of 31-10, win 15 consecutive games and advance to the Class 4A state semifinals, earning a state trophy for only the third time in school history.
Umbright’s calm demeanor proved pivotal during a sectional semifinal against Hinsdale Central. Kenady recalled an instance where Umbright reassured his team after a fielding error: He said, ‘It’s fine. I got it. Just go hit.’ That showed us it’s OK to be nervous — just don’t show it.
Coach Mike Stock noted Umbright’s growth from the previous season: He struggled through some stuff last year on the mound but did not let it affect him at third base and at the plate last year. This year he got so much command.
This command was evident during a spring break trip to Florida, where the team won four out of five games, setting the stage for a strong season.
Naperville Central exceeded expectations with a roster lacking Division I commits or postseason winners. Umbright, the last of three brothers in the program, played a crucial role in the team’s success.
Umbright described his experience: Best group of guys you could ask for — all hard workers, all picked each other up. The morale has been the best the whole time, and I think that’s what carried us throughout this whole season.
Catcher Ashton Feldott adapted to Umbright’s fastball, which reached 94 mph. At the start of the year, it was tough to get used to, but now it’s just so fun because he always hits his spot.
Umbright’s pitching stood out with his change-up, thrown up to 17 mph slower than his fastball, baffling hitters under pressure.
He also showed prowess at bat, going 3-for-3 against Minooka’s Zane Caves, a Michigan State recruit, and securing a pitching win in the 4-2 supersectional victory.
Looking ahead, Umbright anticipates focusing exclusively on pitching at John A. Logan. I still have a long way to go. Still got to get bigger. Still got to get stronger,
he said, emphasizing ongoing development in the weight room.
Matt Le Cren contributed as a freelance reporter to this piece.
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