SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Summer and baseball have always seemed to fit together perfectly. For fans of the game, summer is a time to enjoy the sights, sounds and atmosphere of America's pastime. For college baseball players, it is a time for development. In summer 2015, 15 Santa Clara baseball players are competing for 12 different teams from the Bay Area to New England. The "All Summer Long" series, in its fifth season, chronicles these Broncos as they play in various summer leagues nationwide.
Grant Meylan was the only Bronco to start and appear in all 54 games during the 2015 season. The Concord, Calif. native drew 35 walks to lead the team, finished second with 33 runs scored and third with 51 hits while leading off in all 54 games.
Meylan is spending his summer north of the border with the Kelowna Falcons of the West Coast League. Through August 6, Meylan has played in 35 games and is hitting .283 with 14 RBIs and 14 walks. Kelowna clinched the WCL East Division on August 4 and will begin postseason play on August 11. SantaClaraBroncos.com caught up with Meylan to chat about the summer campaign and life in Canada.
Grant Meylan – Kelowna Falcons – Kelowna, BC, Canada
SantaClaraBroncos.com (SCB): Stats show you're having a solid, balanced season at the plate. How would you assess your offensive performance thus far this summer?
Grant Meylan (GM): I've been very, very relaxed at the plate lately, waiting for better pitches to come and not worrying about hitting with two strikes. I've also made a few mechanical adjustments that are helping me be on time for everything. Getting bigger, faster and stronger has helped me hit the ball harder and beat out more infield hits.
SCB: Where have you played in the outfield and how has your defensive play come along this summer?
GM: I've been playing mostly center field this summer, but I've gotten some starts in right and a few innings here and there in left. I've been doing the throwing routine that the coaches gave us and it has really improved my arm strength. Lifting has improved my range in the outfield and overall speed. Working on a 27-out focus has been my mental goal and I'm improving every day.
SCB: How is the transition from the end of the college baseball season into the start of summer season?
GM: Summer baseball is like college baseball minus the school, so the transition has not been too overwhelming. You get wake up every day and play the game that we, as players, fell in love with as little kids. Lifting, throwing, hitting and hanging out with the guys is what baseball is all about — and that's what summer ball exemplifies.
SCB: What has been your favorite thing to do in British Columbia away from the baseball diamond?
GM: Kelowna is a beautiful summer town right on the Okanagan Lake. On our off days, we as a team are usually at a popular beach called Gyro Beach, but have been on a few hikes to some small cliffs to jump in and hang out.
SCB: What has surprised you the most about summer ball in your first season?
GM: The thing that has surprised me the most is the amount of games that we play. Playing nearly every day has been amazing and exhausting at the same time. Days off here are few and far between so they are spent relaxing. However, playing games all the time is a great way to get better and have fun.
All Summer Long 2015
Grant Meylan
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