Naperville Central’s Grant Umbright: A Season of Success

Naperville Central senior Grant Umbright exudes a calm demeanor that reassures his teammates. Whether pitching, playing third base, batting, or running, his presence is noted. As Naperville Central junior outfielder Jermaine Kenady stated, “Grant is amazing. We believe in him. He gives us the courage to be aggressive.” Umbright, honored as the 2026 Naperville Sun Baseball Player of the Year, excelled in every aspect of the game.

Committed to John A. Logan, Umbright was the ace pitcher, boasting a 9-1 record with a 2.03 ERA. He allowed only 31 hits and struck out 71 in 48 1/3 innings. As the third hitter, he batted .324, leading in triples, home runs, RBIs, and runs scored. His leadership extended beyond his stats, driving the Redhawks to a historical 15-game winning streak and a state trophy.

A defining moment came in a semifinal against Hinsdale Central. Kenady, troubled by losing a ball in the lights, recalled Umbright’s response: “He said, ‘It’s fine. I got it.’ His calmness teaches us it’s okay to be nervous, but not to show it.”

Naperville Central coach Mike Stock noted Umbright’s progress. “He overcame challenges last year and showed command. His play elevated team performance.”

Umbright pointed to a spring break in Florida as pivotal, where they won four out of five games. “We built something there. It started in Florida,” he said.

The Redhawks, without any Division I commits or postseason experience, exceeded expectations under Umbright’s leadership. “Grant comes from a respectful family. It was fun watching his growth,” Stock said.

For Umbright, the team’s brotherhood was significant. “This last year on varsity was my favorite. Best group of guys, all hard workers,” he said.

Senior catcher Ashton Feldott adapted to Umbright’s fastball, which tops out at 94 mph. “Initially tough, but now it’s fun. He always hits his spots,” Feldott mentioned.

Umbright’s change-up, 17 mph slower than his fastball, confounded hitters. “They fall under pressure,” Feldott noted.

Umbright excelled against elite pitchers, going 3-for-3 against Minooka’s Zane Caves and earning a pitching win in a 4-2 supersectional victory. However, he anticipates being focused on pitching at John A. Logan. “I still have much to learn. Getting bigger and stronger is key. They’re going to help me develop,” he said.

Reporter Matt Le Cren contributed to this article.