By PATRICK WALSH
When considering the climate of Upstate New York throughout the year, it doesn’t scream “baseball powerhouse” like California, Texas or Florida. Days are short. The Summer is shorter and the Winter is long. The odds aren’t necessarily in anyone’s favor.
Don’t tell that to Greg Cullen (McQuaid) or Reid VanScoter (Livonia).
Cullen, a McQuaid grad, played Division I baseball at Niagara, before being drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 15th round of the 2018 MLB Entry Draft. He was traded to the Baltimore Orioles in 2020 and reached AAA Norfolk in the last two seasons.
“I took a little time off hitting and throwing, but stayed consistent in the weight room,” said Cullen. “Ernie (Clement) and I ramped it up around Thanksgiving, and I’m on my way to Florida to train there for a month.
Clement is another professional baseball player who came from the Rochester area. A Brighton grad, Clement and Cullen had their fair share of matchups during their high school days.
“Ernie (Clement) and I have been friends for a long time, so I’m always pulling for him and he’s always pulling for me. It’s great having him back home and getting to see each other, hang out and pick each other’s brains a little bit.”
The two take pride in having found success coming from the Rochester area, having shared the same challenges that becoming a professional from the area brings.
“Where we’re from, we don’t take that for granted,” said Cullen. “We try to keep that perspective as much as we can, but we are there for a reason. It’s not the easiest path coming from Upstate New York, but it’s kind of cool that we can give a path right from Rochester, New York.”
Cullen spent extra time during his development up north, having played at Niagara. Nevertheless, the infielder still put in the work to take his game to the next level every year. His coach, Rob McCoy, helped instill a culture that still sticks with him to this day.
Cullen also noted how important a routine has been to him.
“Just developing a routine that gets yourself ready for the game. Trying to make sure you’ve done everything you can so once 6:35 rolls around, you’re good to go.”
In high school, Cullen helped out at the local Bill Bowe Baseball Camp in Penfield. After graduating, Cullen stayed in touch with the coaches he worked with at the camp and recalls his misjudgment during his freshman year at Niagara. A decision those coaches still tell campers to this day.
“So the motto at Niagara, and I found this out the hard way, is if you’re not 15 minutes early, you’re late,” said Cullen. “So I showed up two minutes late and in my head I’m like, ‘Oh I’m 13 minutes early I’m chilling.’ But no, I had to do a little running.”
Cullen played 47 games with AA Bowie in 2023, batting .272 with 20 RBI, eight doubles and three home runs.
Reid VanScoter was drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 MLB Entry Draft by the Seattle Mariners. In his first season, VanScoter went 10-6 with a 3.27 ERA over 25 starts in High-A Everett. The southpaw was named Northwest League Pitcher of the Year, as well as Pitcher of the Year for the Seattle Mariners organization.
“They (Mariners organization) were very motivating to just keep doing what I’m doing and just hone in on a few things and stay myself,” said VanScoter. “I’m very confident going into next season after not having a ton of success at the collegiate level until my fifth year.”
Even with the success he found, VanScoter still put in the work in preparation for this upcoming season.
“I’ve been training down in West Palm Beach at Cressey Sports Performance and getting on a schedule down there and trying to move better. Just doing the same stuff every day and trying to get better every day.
The southpaw also prioritized his mental preparation for each start.
“It’s really about grounding myself. I’m very faith-based and just try to prioritize that first and foremost, then take every opportunity I can every day and just stay in the moment.”
In high school, VanScoter compiled a record of 31-1 with an ERA of 0.40 and struck out 396 batters over 210.2 innings. During his senior year, the former Livonia Bulldog had a perfect 11-0 record in 12 starts and an ERA of 0.50. Of his 12 starts, nine were complete games and three shutouts, leading to 2017 New York State Class B Player of the Year honors.
VanScoter began his collegiate career at Binghamton University. After having Tommy John surgery during his sophomore year, VanScoter transferred to Coastal Carolina and found success. Nevertheless, both schools were pivotal to the southpaw’s development.
“I thought I needed a fresh start after my sophomore year, having Tommy John, and knowing I probably was going to miss my junior year as well. Both schools gave me places to grow and to figure out what I was good at as a pitcher.”
Playing for Gary Gilmore at Coastal Carolina, head coach during the Chanticleers’ 2016 College World Series championship team, VanScoter flourished during his final year. The fifth-year senior went 9-4 with a 3.65 ERA on the season, firing 88.2 innings of work over 16 starts and striking out 85.
Like the others before him, VanScoter takes pride in being a Rochester, New York native.
“I think it just goes to show that you can do it from anywhere. I never really doubted myself growing up and I feel that was the biggest part. My dad, he wasn’t the guy where he jammed it down my throat, and instead told me that if I wanted it bad enough, it had to come from me in the end.”
Both VanScoter and Cullen can advise the younger players that were in their shoes once.
“Make sure you slow yourself down and take it one day at a time because it is so easy to try and predict the future,” said VanScoter. “Always envision yourself in the future, but just take it one day at a time and really try to get better every day. I know it sounds cliche, but once I honed in on how to do that, my career’s really taken off.”
“I always try to stress work hard, have fun and compete,” said Cullen. “If you can keep those things at the forefront, everything else will fall into place. It’s hard when you’re 15, 16 or 17, you want to showcase what you’ve got, but if you can focus on getting a little bit better each day, that’s the perspective.
VanScoter will look to build on his Pitcher of the Year honors in 2024.
Cullen, VanScoter and Clement are among the former Section V standouts in professional baseball. A group that also includes Tanner Cooper (Canandaigua), Ben Cowles (Newark), Danny Mendick (Pittsford Mendon/Monroe CC) and Adam Scott (Canandaigua).
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