Earlier Than Anyone: How the Oakland Pipeline Sent Colyer and Manning to the Nationals

Bay Area Natives James Colyer and Grant Manning Reflect on their MLB Signings

By Chris Drue, Ballers Beat Writer

Graphics courtesy Hudson Ridley

Pitchers James Colyer and Grant Manning have taken the next step to the Show. 

Within days of each other, the two Bay Area natives had their contracts purchased by the Washington Nationals. While their departure is bittersweet for the fans at Raimondi Park, it serves as a powerful validation of a core organizational pillar for the Ballers—solidifying the team’s status as a key engine in the professional baseball ecosystem by providing a path for prospects to Major League Baseball that runs directly through the East Bay. 

The B’s have now seen six players take this leap in just two seasons of existence, following in the footsteps of Danny Kirwin (BOS), Tyler Davis (CWS), Elijah Pleasants (SF), and Carson Lambert (TOR). “For our players to get signed, it is a sign that our vision for the program is working,” B’s Assistant General Manager Tyler Petersen shared with Dispatches. Petersen views the club as a vital second chance—a place where players can make their case for themselves again: “As long as we provide this chance, we are fulfilling the goal of the program.” 

That mission is the result of a deliberate year-round grind. The front office speaks with over 100 players every offseason, with a specific emphasis on ensuring that a large part of the roster is made up of local prospects. With eight current players hailing from Northern California, Petersen emphasized that creating these local opportunities is a community aspect the team will "always beat the drum for."

Before they finished packing their bags for Spring Training, Colyer and Manning sat down with Dispatches to reflect on their time in Oakland and the next chapter of their professional careers.

James Colyer: From Oakland Tryouts to the Nation’s Capital

For Colyer, his road to the Washington Nationals started at open tryouts for the Oakland Ballers at Raimondi Park. Making the 2025 squad after impressing the B’s front office and coaching staff, Colyer and his unorthodox pitching delivery, which earned him the nickname “Big Dipper,” quickly became fan favorites. (His mother, Kristy, was also interviewed by Dispatches as part of the Ballers’ Fan-ily series.) Colyer would deliver a solid season in relief for the 2025 champs, going 3-0 with a 3.77 ERA, 55 K, 2 SV in 36 APP, 43 IP.

Now that his contract has been purchased by the Nationals, Colyer views this milestone as the definitive pinnacle of his baseball journey so far. "This is definitely number one on the career achievements list," Colyer shared, reflecting on the realization of his long-held goal to join an MLB organization. While the jump to a Major League system might seem daunting to some, Colyer remains grounded. To him, the challenges will change with each level, but what matters remains the same: "At the end of the day, it’s the same game and you’ve got to go out there and compete."

A Hayward native and Cal State East Bay alumnus, Colyer credits the Ballers’ coaching staff for elevating his understanding of the game and teaching him the nuances of being a professional in preparation for his MLB signing. He also points to his off-season regimen at Push Performance in Arizona as a catalyst, sharing that he was ready for this opportunity because of his hard work off of the field. 

“My mom was the first person I called after I got off the phone with my agent,” Colyer told Dispatches, describing a moment filled with high emotion and excitement. (Be sure to check out James on B’s Cast, where he shared more about his signing.) The next step for the righty is Spring Training, where his performance will dictate his placement within the Nationals’ affiliate system: “I’m excited to get to camp and get rolling.” 

Petersen noted that the Big Dipper’s signing is worthy of additional celebration after witnessing his journey firsthand this past season. “To see a guy work his butt off for a year and a half is really rewarding,” Petersen said. “When James called me [to tell me the news], I was probably as happy as he was.”

As for any player who hopes to follow a similar path to the big leagues by joining the Ballers, Colyer’s advice is to have a “go all in” mentality: “Put yourself around the right people you can trust and give yourself the best chance possible.” 

Grant Manning: Oakland Helped Bridge the Gap to MLB

Grant Manning’s path to the Nationals is a story of belief—both the belief he held in himself and the belief the B’s front office placed in him as their first 2025-2026 offseason signing after scouting him almost a year earlier (Dispatches also interviewed Manning shortly after he was signed). "This is my biggest dream come true," the Dublin-native shared, acknowledging that while the next goal is to be promoted, this move represents a "major leap" from his collegiate days.

Manning credits his signing with the Ballers as the bridge that gave him a renewed sense of purpose. "Signing with the Ballers really gave me the confidence to train hard because I knew that I’d at least be playing somewhere in the summer," Manning explained. Although Manning never officially took the mound at Raimondi Park, the commitment from the organization gave him the peace of mind to train at full throttle—betting on himself with the knowledge that he would enter 2026 as a significantly improved pitcher, whether in independent ball or the minor league system.

Manning understands that signing with an MLB organization is just the start of a journey, and his immediate focus is on the day-to-day work within the Nationals’ minor league system. "I’m not signing straight to the major leagues," Manning noted, "so for now, I’m figuring out what level they will put me at, and just try to play hard and get promoted."

For Petersen, seeing Manning move on is a testament to the club's role as a vital nexus for prospects— that when a player truly trusts in their ability, Oakland can be a launchpad to the next level. Petersen noted that Manning’s success stems from his focus and determination: “Grant trusted his own ability from the start. I love to see guys who are hungry enough to say, ‘My goal is to play in MLB, and I want to be signed.’”

Manning expressed deep gratitude to Oakland’s front office, who reached out to him multiple times to get him to sign with the organization last year: “Thank you to the Ballers’ organization for believing in me…They saw something in me earlier than anyone.”

All images and video used with permission from the Oakland Ballers, James Colyer and Grant Manning.

Chris Drue is an East Bay native who has loved baseball since visiting the Coliseum with his dad as a kid. His favorite combo at Raimondi Park is a Fieldwork Day Money and a veggie dog (in a helmet!). His favorite pitch is the eephus, with a Barry Zito 12-6 curveball (circa 2002) a very close second. Find him on Instagram.