Tyler Gregg Earns All-State Honors

FARMINGTON HURLER WAS HANDY WITH BAT

FARMINGTON — During his senior season, Farmington ace Tyler Gregg was named All-State in baseball, and selected to the All-Tournament State 5A Baseball team.

Gregg was frequently replaced by courtesy runners when he pitched. His slot scored 28 times. Gregg’s pitching record was 7-3 with 4 no decisions and a 2.478 ERA. Gregg had 99 strikeouts and 38 walks.

In the batter’s box, Gregg hit .418 with 11 home runs, 41 RBIs, and 14 doubles.

Gregg’s ability was showcased when Cardinal baseball coach Jay Harper persuaded Gregg to pace himself and throw a complete game as the Cardinals beat 5A West rival Alma, 6-0, to improve Farmington to 17-8 overall and 8-2 late in conference play.

Gregg complied with the game-plan and went the distance, pitching a shutout against Alma. With two outs in the second, Gregg hit Alma starter Parker Edwards with a pitch, then gave up a single into center field. The runners advanced on a wild pitch, but Gregg ended the threat with a strike-out when he caught Lane Caldwell looking.

“Tyler loves to strike people out, what we’re trying to do is to get Tyler to let the defense play,” Harper said. “Today they hit some flyballs but we caught them. He kept his pitch-count down and was able to get into the seventh inning. When he goes, we go. He did an outstanding job today.”

Gregg helped his cause by stroking a double off a 3-1 pitch that plated Ryan Larkin for a 2-0 Farmington edge. In the fourth, Gregg struck out Zac Henson in 4 pitches, then got help from Cardinal center fielder Trenton McChristian, who made a catch diving face first onto the grass. Gregg induced a ground-out to end the inning.

Gregg retired the Airedales in order in the top of the fifth and a Farmington run scored in the sixth when Gregg reached on an error. In the top of the seventh, Gregg induced a fly-out, then struck out a pair of Airdales swinging, sandwiched around a walk.

Gregg learned he needed Tommy Johns’ Surgery as a 16-year-old, during his sophomore baseball season.

Gregg said, “No pitcher ever wants to hear that he needs Tommy Johns’ Surgery,” during a Nov. 18 ceremony signing a national letter of intent to play college baseball for Crowder College, of Neosho, Mo.

“I was pretty down when I first got it (the diagnosis), cause I was so young,” Gregg said.

Harper described Gregg’s journey, saying, “Tyler came into the program as a ninthgrader and showed a lot of promise. He has overcome Tommy Johns’ Surgery. For those of you, who don’t know what that is - Tommy John’s Surgery is the worst nightmare for a pitcher in our sport. He worked as hard as he could, he’s rehabilitated as hard as he could. He’s come back better than ever.”

None of that happened by accident. Gregg’s perspective changed because of the injury, as did his career goals.

“Tommy Johns’ Surgery made me look at the game a different way, I’m a lot more grateful now,” Gregg said. “I’m blessed to be able to overcome something like that. Before I just went out there and played the game of baseball. Now, I know it can be taken away from me in just one pitch. I try to be a better leader than I ever have been.”

Gregg plans to pursue a degree in Kinesiology and become a physical therapist.

“Tyler loves to strike people out, what we’re trying to do is to get Tyler to let the defense play. Today they hit some flyballs but we caught them. He kept his pitch-count down and was able to get into the seventh inning. When he goes, we go. He did an outstanding job today.”

Jay Harper Farmington Baseball Coach

MARK HUMPHREY ENTERPRISE-LEADER Farmington’s Tyler Gregg pitched a complete game to lead the Cardinals past Alma, 6-0, during 5A West Conference play in April. Gregg became an All-State selection as a senior and was named to the 5A State tournament All-Tournament team. He will play...