Rutgers shortstop Josh Kuroda-Grauer, from Franklin, a bright spot in 2024
While the Rutgers baseball team’s performance has decreased since he arrived two seasons ago, Josh Kuroda-Grauer’s has only improved.
The Rutgers season ends Saturday against Ohio State, as it failed to qualify for the Big Ten Tournament. Two years ago RU was 44-15 and lost in the Big 10 championship game. Last year the Scarlet Knights qualified for the conference tournament but were eliminated early with a pair of two-run losses; giving Nebraska a six-run seventh inning and then Michigan State two runs in the eighth.
The Scarlet Knights were 27-25 entering the finale.
Kuroda-Graver, a junior out of Franklin Township High School, went into Saturday hitting .432, with 53 runs scored, 45 RBI, 25 extra base hits and 23 stolen bases.
Over his three seasons his batting average going into the weekend was .343, with 143 runs scored, 116 RBI, 16 home runs, 42 doubles and 6 triples. He also walked 70 times and stole 39 bases.
Impressive, but as a team player, disappointing.
“Obviously we’re real disappointed,’’ he said in a phone interview. “I think because we all felt we had a talented roster, especially coming from last year. But the big thing for me was just the camaraderie, the family aspect on the team. So we definitely under-achieved on what our goals were before the season.”
Not so for the 21-year-old.
“I was definitely pleased with my season,’’ he said. “I put in a lot of work in the off-season just to get my game to where I think it could be. And I think all the things my coaches have done for me and just the work I put in, I think it’s helped me have a pretty good season.”
If taken in the Major League draft in July, he said he mostly likely will leave school.
“My goal is to play for as long as possible,” the shortstop said, “but I do know that when my time playing baseball comes to an end, I want to be involved in sports. Like sports management, or going into coaching one day.”
For now he fits the description of being a poster boy for scholar-athletes.
Last year he made Academic All-Big Ten. In high school, where he also excelled in basketball, he was an NJSIAA Student Advisory Council Representative and earned a spot in the National Society of High School Scholars.
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“Both my parents instilled in me that sports is going to take you so far in life, and they know how important academics are to me. I take a lot of pride in going about my academics,’’ he said. “I can say proudly I am not a procrastinator. I like to get things done and out of the way as fast as possible, which definitely helps me to get more time to go to work on my craft and go play baseball.”
More time to improve what has been an outstanding career for No. 44.
“My mom wore 22 when she played basketball,’’ her son said (he has an older sister Zay), “and I wore 22 in high school. So, 22 doubled.”
If he returns to campus, he’ll resume his course load (he has a 3.2 GPA majoring in Sports Management) and be back on the field for fall baseball. Back in both classrooms. Part of his schooling would include doing a Sports Marketing internship through Rutgers athletics.
“There’s probably no better place in the Northeast to get a great education and be coached by one of if not the best coaches in college baseball with coach (Steve) Owens. I can say coming in as a freshman and now my junior year, I’ve learned so much about the game of baseball and obviously becoming a man and how to handle stuff outside of it.
“If you want to come grow your game and grow as a person,” he said, “there is no better place to be.”
Growing up he watched the YES Network as Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira did their thing.
“Watching those guys, I mean, how could you not want to be a Big Leaguer?” he said.
And yet, he is a Phillies fan. Not a Yankees fan. And a Patriots fan in pro football.
What?
“I know. My friends don’t let me live it down,’’ he said with a laugh. “Trust me. I know.”
Looking down the road, Kuroda-Grauer envisions a long career in baseball.
Ten years from now?
“Hopefully I’m still playing professionally,” he said. “Honestly, it’s the only thing I can see myself doing. I’d love a career in baseball. A job in baseball would be amazing, but anything in sports, a job anywhere would be good for me.”
Even in the Bronx?
Said JKG, “Even in the Bronx.”
For now, he has a little more baseball to play.
Paul Franklin is a freelance reporter for MyCentralJersey.com.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Rutgers baseball: Josh Kuroda-Grauer a bright spot in 2024
