B’s Preview 2026: Manning the Mound
Meet the Ballers’ New Pitcher, Grant Manning
By Chris Drue, B’s Beat Writer
The Oakland Ballers started their preparations for 2026 quickly, having signed MLB pitching prospect Grant Manning one day after celebrating their title in the streets of West Oakland.
Manning, a Dublin-native who graduated from Dublin High School in 2019, continues the B’s strong record of scouting and signing prospects from the Bay Area and Northern California, which includes—from the 2025 Championship squad alone—Christian Almanza (Stockton), James Colyer (Hayward), Brody Eglite (Martinez), Tyler Lozano (Stockton), Noah Millikan (Berkeley), Michael O’Hara (Danville), Esai Santos (Berkeley), Luke Short (San Jose), Connor Sullivan (Martinez), and Gabe Tanner (Danville). After graduating, Manning pitched for the Panthers at Chapman University in Orange, California, later transferring to Virginia Tech University to pursue a Master’s degree in Communications and continue his baseball career with the Hokies.
The Oakland Ballers will be Grant’s professional baseball debut. “It’s incredibly exciting to finally be able to play professional baseball and to advance my career. I look forward to meeting all the new guys, to play in a really fun atmosphere, and to be able to travel around and get to see different parts of the country while playing,” Manning shared with Dispatches.
When asked about why he chose to sign with the Ballers, Manning responded that it was the community: “I grew up a Bay Area kid [...], in a community that really supported their sports. In the midst of the loss of the Oakland Raiders and Oakland Athletics, I feel like there has been such a great community that has formed around the Oakland Ballers that has made it an excellent place to play.” Grant added he hopes to better his community in his time with the B’s while playing the game that he has loved his entire life in front of the people who have always been there for him.
At 6’6’’, Grant is a towering power righty, notably commanding a mid-90s fastball, changeup, 12-6 curveball, and a gyro-slider that he can throw for strikes. Manning’s scouting report notes that he has strikeout material, which he has certainly proved at Virginia Tech: in relief he fanned 72 batters over just 51.2 innings pitched. This strikeout material made him the most reliable weapon in Virginia Tech’s bullpen, where he registered a 3.79 ERA over 35.2 innings pitched over 12 appearances with a 11.86 K 9/IP.
Over this past summer, Manning played for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers in the MLB Draft League, where he was used exclusively out of the bullpen, going 3-1 in 15.2 IP and 14 appearances, posting a solid 3.45 ERA, 6 earned runs, 19 strikeouts, and 3 saves.
During the offseason, Grant noted to Dispatches that he’ll be hard at work training to gain even more velocity and improve his pitch arsenal.
Growing up, Manning’s favorite players were part of the San Francisco Giants’ early championship dynasty, with his idols being Tim Lincecum, Madison Bumgarner, and Matt Cain. Manning especially admired Cain’s consistency and work ethic – the ability to be able to “go out there and deliver, be a workhorse and be reliable.” Grant cites Tyler Glasnow, Jacob deGrom, and Max Scherzer as his current favorites and models for the pitcher that he wants to be, noting particularly their high energy and attitude on the mound.
On his off days, Grant loves to watch movies: “I am a movie nerd, a huge film buff [...] Every year when the Oscar nominations come out, I try to watch every movie that I can. I try to get in my nominations, my guesses on who is going to win.” After baseball, Manning hopes to work in the movie industry one day.
Grant’s interest in the arts doesn’t stop at movies, as sitting down with a good book is a key part of his pregame ritual. “I love reading to help get my mind off the game,” noting his favorites to be anything sci-fi, fantasy or with action. While he doesn’t have a go-to pregame meal, Manning noted that he is “always munching on really anything,” with his current favorite snack being the “very underrated” Uncrustable.
Let’s give Grant a warm welcome when he takes the bump in 2026 and helps write the next chapter in the Oakland Ballers’ story!
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.
Images used with permission from Grant Manning. Find Grant on Instagram.
