June 10th was a regular Wednesday to most of us, but to Southington native Nick Greenwood, it was a life-changing afternoon.  The junior from the University of Rhode Island baseball team was drafted by the San Diego Padres in this year’s Major League Baseball draft and the last couple of weeks have been close to a blur for the lefthanded  pitcher.
“It has always been a life-long dream of mine and at first it was just such a rush,” Greenwood said. “Then the business part kicked in and since then it has been a little more stressful, but I’m just taking it all in and taking it one day at a time.”
Upon the congratulatory call from the Padres, Greenwood actually missed it when Jim Bretz, the Northeast Regional Scouting Director for the San Diego-based team picked up the phone and dialed the junior. However, Greenwood’s phone was working just fine later when his inbox was flooded with text messages.
“All my teammates sent me messages just supporting me and wishing me good luck and congrats,” Greenwood said. “I’m so fortunate because I couldn’t have been put in a better situation to possibly end up in San Diego someday, it couldn’t be a better location and is just so awesome to imagine being there down the road.”
The Southpaw was drafted in the 14th round, 414th overall and is the seventh Ram all-time to be drafted. Greenwood knows that life is going to change drastically from that of a college kid as he makes his way to not San Diego just yet, but Eugene, Oregon.
“Well, I never thought I’d be here (Eugene),” Greenwood said. “I think the biggest difference is it’s time for me to grow-up and act like a pro because this is a job and something I’m being paid for now.”
Sometimes the most thinking ahead an everyday 21-year-old does revolves around what frat party they plan on attending the coming weekend, but for Greenwood, it’s a little bit different than that.
“I’m excited to see the way pro ball works and what each day brings both on and off the field,” Greenwood said. “It will be fun to meet new people and more friends through this process that will carry on throughout my journey.”
The one-time Southington pitcher thinks the team facet is one of the things he is going to miss the most about college baseball.
“A lot of people say college has more of a team aspect about the game where every person is trying to achieve that particular goal of winning, where as sometimes the pros are a little more individualized,” Greenwood said. “I think also it’s going to be different playing against all players who have been drafted because in college not everyone you face up against is going to get drafted.”
As time has passed from draft-day, Greenwood has already received a great nugget of advice as he takes the next steps in his career.
“I was told to follow my heart and that I would just know what direction is best for me to go,” Greenwood said. “This is what I truly want and everyday I’m going to make sure I have no regrets.”