Naperville Central senior Grant Umbright brings a calm demeanor that instills confidence in his teammates. Whether pitching, playing third base, batting, or running, his presence is reassuring.
“Grant is amazing,” stated Naperville Central junior outfielder Jermaine Kenady. “We believe in Grant. He gives us courage, and when he’s pitching, we know it’s time to go.”
Umbright’s exceptional performance earned him the 2026 Naperville Sun Baseball Player of the Year title. Committed to John A. Logan, Umbright led the pitching staff with an impressive 9-1 record. His stats include a 2.03 ERA, 31 hits allowed, and 71 strikeouts over 48 1/3 innings.
Batting third, he had a .324 average, leading the team with four triples, four home runs, 30 RBIs, and 36 runs scored. His leadership went beyond statistics, propelling the Redhawks (31-10) to win 15 consecutive games, reaching the Class 4A state semifinals and securing a state trophy for the third time in the program’s history.
During a critical moment against Hinsdale Central, Kenady lost a ball in the lights, but Umbright’s calm response was, “It’s fine. I got it. Just go hit.” This attitude helped his teammates navigate pressure with composure.
Naperville Central coach Mike Stock reflected on Umbright’s growth, saying, “He had challenges last year but never let them affect his performance. This year, he commanded the field, uplifting the team.” Umbright’s progress became evident during a spring break trip to Florida.
The team, lacking Division I commits and postseason experience, wasn’t expected to advance so far. Umbright, the youngest of three brothers in the program, led with distinction.
“Grant’s been a blast,” Stock shared. “His teammates respect and enjoy being with him. Watching him get comfortable and elevate his play was exciting. It became about the team’s success.” The Redhawks transformed into a tight-knit group.
“This year has been my favorite,” Umbright said. “We had the best teammates possible. Their hard work and support carried us all season.” Naperville Central senior catcher Ashton Feldott learned to adjust to Umbright’s 94 mph fastball, enjoying the challenge.
“Initially, it was tough,” Feldott admitted. “Now it’s enjoyable because he consistently hits his spots.” Umbright’s unpredictability and change-up kept hitters off balance.
He excelled against top-tier pitchers, going 3-for-3 against Minooka’s Zane Caves, a Michigan State recruit, and winning the supersectional game 4-2.
While Umbright expects to focus on pitching at John A. Logan, he remains committed to improving. “I have a long way to go,” he acknowledged. “Getting bigger and stronger is essential, which I’m working on. They will help further my development.”
Reporter Matt Le Cren contributed this piece.