2015 Hamilton High School graduate Grant Wolfram has taken the next big step in his baseball career, signing a major league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. The 6-foot-8 left-handed pitcher, who was previously in the Texas Rangers organization, joins the Brewers’ 40-man roster as he prepares for the next chapter of his professional journey.
Wolfram’s passion for sports began early. “Ever since I was in 1st or 2nd grade, I knew I wanted to play professional sports but didn’t know which one. Baseball gradually took over.” His time at Hamilton helped shape him into the competitor he is today.
“I have a lot of memories from my time at Hamilton,” Wolfram recalled. “We won a lot of games when we were there, won the conference my junior year, won a district my senior year, came up short in the regional championship. I loved Hamilton, I loved playing with those guys and I keep in touch with Brian Grabinski, Ken DeGood, Tom Burton, Matt Bierschbach, a lot of the coaches.”
Among those who played a key role in his development was his coach, Ken DeGood. “I knew he wasn’t going to let me get complacent, he held a standard for me and the team. There were multiple times he pulled me to the side and told me I need to lead this way or set an example.”
After a standout career at Hamilton, Wolfram passed up being drafted by the Detroit Tigers out of high school and opted to play collegiately at Central Michigan University before transferring to Davenport University. In the 2018 MLB Draft, he was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 18th round. Over the past several seasons, he worked his way up through the Rangers’ minor league system with impressive numbers. In 2024, he split time between Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock, finishing with a 4-1 record, 3.13 ERA, and six saves over 60.1 innings.
Following the 2024 season, Wolfram became a free agent and weighed multiple offers before ultimately choosing the Brewers. “I was torn between the San Francisco Giants and the Milwaukee Brewers, and the location definitely played a factor. My wife can drive with our newborn baby and be home in four hours.”
The Hamilton community has shown overwhelming support for Wolfram, something he deeply appreciates. “It’s amazing. I love reading the comments and having all of the support in Hamilton. I am closer to home now, so hopefully, I’ll be able to see some familiar faces at the ballpark in the coming years.”
Looking ahead, Wolfram is determined to make an impact at the major league level. “The hard work is not over. I want to play ten years in the big leagues, that’s the goal as well as winning some World Series, we’ll see if that can happen.” As he prepares for spring training, he remains focused. “It would be hard to say it’s just another spring training when it’s not because I’ll be on the 40-man roster at this point, but I am going to try to approach it like another spring training. This will be my seventh one now, I think, and second big league camp. I feel really good about where I’m at, just going to go in there and try to compete for a spot.”
A key part of his preparation includes mental visualization. “I do this visualization every night before I go to bed, and a lot of it recently has been trying to envision myself in big league stadiums and different scenarios. I know the first series is in New York City, so I’ve kind of had that ‘okay, who are the lefties in their lineup’ kind of visualization and what it’s like pitching in Yankee Stadium.”
Despite his professional success, Wolfram remains grateful for his roots in Hamilton. “I enjoyed my time at Hamilton. A lot of great people, hard working people. In fourth grade, I had Mr. Reinstra, and Mr. Bosma stands out in middle school—he’s followed me throughout my career. He’s fun to talk to about baseball. There are so many people that stand out and keep in touch, so many great, great teachers. I’d send my kids to Hamilton. I loved it.”
As Wolfram embarks on this exciting new opportunity, the Hamilton community will be cheering him on, awaiting the moment he takes the mound for his Major League debut.
