Yasmani Grandal is emotional about draft selection

CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- The minutes before his team's most important game of the year certainly didn't call for many smiles. But Miami catcher Yasmani Grandal couldn't help being emotional when he was selected in Monday's major league draft.

Grandal learned that the Cincinnati Reds made him the 12th overall pick as the Hurricanes warmed up for a Coral Gables regional championship game against Texas A&M. Teammates and coaches hugged and congratulated Grandal.

The game was postponed because of rain and will be played Tuesday afternoon.

"In between my mom crying and all my friends congratulating me, it got to me," Grandal said. "My eyes got kind of watery."

The junior had declined to sign a professional contract out of Miami Springs High school after he was drafted in a lower round.

Grandal is hitting .412 with 14 home runs and 56 RBI this season and was named ACC Player of the Year. He plans to begin negotiations with the Reds after his college season ends.

"Obviously, pursuing a professional career has always been a dream," Grandal said. "I want to thank the Reds for drafting me.
Grandal was especially delighted with the reaction he received from his mother, who took him out of his native Cuba when he was nine.
In Spanish, she said, "I love you. You worked hard for it."


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(miamiherald.com)
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