From D3 to the ACC to the Washington Nationals | Grant Manning

In this episode, we sit down with Grant Manning, a Washington Nationals signee out of the 2026 Tread Pro Day, to tell his underdog story. Grant started his career as a skinny 6'6" freshman throwing 84 MPH at Division III Chapman University. Through years of gradual development, relentless work, and one perfectly timed email, he earned a spot at Virginia Tech in the ACC.We trace the full journey from his early days at Chapman where he first learned about his mechanics, to competing in a top 25 ACC program against future MLB draft picks, to transitioning into a closer role in the MLB Draft League after going undrafted, to finally earning his shot at Tread Pro Day and getting the call from the Washington Nationals while stranded in a Nashville snowstorm.Grant breaks down his complete arsenal, including his fastball that touches 95, his hard gyro slider, and the "Ghost Pitch" changeup that generates 60 to 65% whiff rates and left Virginia Tech hitters completely baffled.This is a story about what happens when you refuse to let your ceiling be defined by where you started.