Inside Grant Wolfram's rise to becoming one of the Rangers' hottest relief prospects
Wolfram was named the Texas Rangers minor league reliever of the month in April and has already been called up to Triple-A.
Grant Wolfram was in a rare rough spot. The southpaw reliever had allowed two baserunners to get in scoring position with just one out in a close game on May 9 against the Wichita Wind Surge.
His approach didn’t change. Wolfram managed to strike out his next batter and force a groundout.
According to the 26-year-old, an escape like that was not a guarantee for him until recently.
“Last year — in that situation — I think it would have been a different result,” Wolfram told JR Sports TX. “This year just shows all the hard work I've put in, not giving in and trusting my stuff, continuing to stick to the plan that's been working for me. I stuck to it and it ended up working out and getting out of that was huge for me.”
Wolfram has become one of the hottest relief pitchers in the Texas Rangers’ minor league system. It’s a change in his approach off the field that has led to Wolfram turning heads in what is becoming a reliever-needy organization.
A big piece for Wolfram’s ascent has been visualizing himself as a major league player.
“I'm in Double-A physically, but mentally I’m showing up and thinking, what do I look like as a big leaguer?” said Wolfram. “How do I act? How do I walk? How do I talk? What do I look like on the mound?”
“I try to take that to the clubhouse every day and I think that's worked out a lot for me. It's been great to add to my game.”
While the former Davenport standout began his season with Double-A Frisco, it only took him a month to get his call up to Triple-A Round Rock.
The move came shortly after it was announced Wolfram was named minor league reliever of the month in the Rangers’ organization. In April, Wolfram threw 9 ⅓ shutout innings in six appearances for the RoughRiders.
“[I’m] just super honored to have got the award,” Wolfram said. “Over the past full year, I was starting to really focus on things off the field as far as mental stuff and preparation. That's been a huge component to my game. That's really helped me go to the next level.”
The 6-foot-6 is in his fifth season as a pro player and his numbers are night and day to past seasons. His 1.56 ERA is besting his previous low of 3.38, while he’s forcing batters to hit just .103 against him (previous low was .232).
Crucially he’s also cut down on big-time hits (.172 SLG% against Wolfram) and unnecessary walks.
“I try not to give into the hitters or even into the old thoughts that I used to have when I walked someone,” said Wolfram. “Having the confidence and letting it rip and just being able to attack the hitters is something that's big.”
A lot of that confidence has come along with the development of Wolfram’s pre-game preparation. He said that it can be easy to fall into the habit of going through everything unfocused.
Wolfram avoids just going through the motions when he shows up to the stadium.
“I got my own little routine in the morning and then in the afternoon to make sure I get dressed, get sleep, eat well and not lounge around all day,” Wolfram said. “Checking in with yourself mentally throughout the day, I think, has been big for me.”
After Wolfram got out of that situation back on May 9, he said that he got a text from his wife — Abby — saying he did a good job. The pair just got married at the beginning of the year.
While a kind text from a spouse isn’t strange, it means a lot for Wolfram with how important Abby has been to his change in mental approach. She is a nurse practitioner and has been a crucial part of developing his mental health and lifestyle.
“She's always looking for ways to help me out and improve my lifestyle and you know, that's awesome to have,” Wolfram said. “It's something that I haven't had before and she's just an awesome support system.”
Wolfram now sits one level away from the big leagues. And with the struggles the major league roster’s bullpen has gone through to start the year, another call-up is not out of the picture before the end of the season.