When Greyson Barrett joined the Welland Jackfish he realized early on he was going to have to earn his playing time.

The 23-year-old native of Bakersfield, Calif., has an impressive resume that includes a .356 batting average with 43 home runs and 180 runs batted in over three over three college seasons at Texas Wesleyan.

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound first baseman/outfielder compiled a .415 batting average with 20 home runs, 88 RBI in 200 collegiate at-bats in 2023 and was named the 2023 Sooner Athletic Conference Player of the Year while also earning a conference Gold Glove award for his defensive play in left field.

Yet, despite those lofty achievements, Barrett didn’t expect to be handed a job.

“I like to play left field and first as well, but coming here I knew it would be different,” Barrett said. “It won’t be like in college where I played every day. I knew I had to grind for a spot. I told myself I don’t care if I play centre field or catch or DH or come off the bench. Just want to help the team wherever they need help.”

Just over a month into his first season in the Intercounty Baseball League and Barrett has been impressed with the talent level across the board.

“One of the biggest thing is everybody’s good. All these guys from everywhere are good and I understood that early in the first two weeks or so instead of trying to figure it out in the middle of the year,” he said. “The level of play here is better, not just the starting nine, but off the bench and everyone has deep bullpens arms.”

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