Hand High Grad Makes The Big Leagues

Madison stepped up to the big leagues last week when Greg Nappo, a Hand High graduate, was drafted by the Florida Marlins.

Nappo, who pitched for Hand and UConn, was selected in the 18^th round on June 7, the second day of the draft, and is currently awaiting assignment to a minor league team. He thinks he’ll be sent to the Jamestown, NY Jammers and will meet with team officials this weekend.

Nappo graduated from UConn last year with a degree in English and stayed in school to pursue a second degree in political science. He pitched for the Huskies this season and recorded a 10-3 record with a 2.63 ERA. He pitched 95.2 innings and recorded 57 strike outs.

The Huskies had a great season, winning the Big East Tournament and recording a 45-20-1 record before losing to South Carolina in the NCAA championships. They lost two games to South Carolina with Nappo pitching the second game.

Nappo graduated from Hand in 2006 and pitched for the team his junior and senior years. He had a 7-1 record his senior year.

“Hand provided motivation for UConn,” he said. “I definitely came out of high school with confidence. I only played two years of varsity so I learned to work harder than everyone else. I wasn’t as talented as some people at the time, so my work ethic helped me succeed.”

The work ethic paid off at UConn and hopefully with the Marlins. “My goal is to play professional baseball and play at the minor league level this season,” he said. “The next step is to keep moving.”