Reno Knights: Program Spotlight

March 3, 2021
Brett Harrison
Nevada Scouting Director

This year, in addition to the Scout Day Showcases, we are also going to spotlighting programs as a whole with an interview with each participating teams head coach providing insight into their expectations for Spring 2021, key players, incoming players, players expected to have breakout seasons, how they have navigated the past year and much more. The Reno Knights continues to produce talent with Oregon commit, Grayson Grinsell, leading the way the Underclass talent in the pipeline that could make an early impact this Spring.

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Reno Knights SPOTLIGHT
Head Coach, Pete Savage

WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR YOUR PROGRAM FOR THE 2021 SPRING SEASON?

We expect for our athletes to compete every day on the field and in the classroom. We expect to build a great team chemistry and commitment to excellence that has always been associated with the championship traditions of Reno High Baseball.

WHO ARE THE TOP RETURNING PLAYERS YOU HAVE COMING BACK THIS SPRING?

We are excited about our student athletes that have been working so hard in our program. Sam Smith and Grayson Grinsell are two of the athletes that will contribute to our team success. Smith has earned a scholarship to pitch at Santa Clara University and Grinsell has committed to being a two way players at the University of Oregon.

WHO ON YOUR ROSTER DO YOU EXPECT TO HAVE A BREAKOUT SEASON IN 2021?

2021 Joseph Simon and Sam Smith

2022 Mike Cruz, Garrison Geis, Grayson Grinsell, Eric Nachtsheim, Mason Rowe

2023 Gage Krakora, Jace Maples, Zach Mills, Nick Sankovich

2024 Jonas Frost, Jaydon Loose, Colton Ouellette, Jackson Sellers, Harvey Smerdon

HOW DOES YOUR PROGRAM DIFFERENTIATE FROM OTHERS? WHAT DOES YOUR PROGRAM DO IN THE SUMMER AND FALL SEASONS?

Our players are committed to building strength in the weight room. They also are committed to building team chemistry with the Reno Knights. The Knights have been in existence for over 37 years and have been instrumental in our player, team, and program development.

HOW ARE YOU PREPARING FOR SPRING?

We are committed to work hard each day in practice to continue our player development.

WHAT HAS YOUR PROGRAM DONE TO COMBAT THE RESTRICTED ABILITY TO PLAY BASEBALL OVER THE PAST YEAR?

We have played the game where it is possible and followed all safety protocols.

The student athletes deserve to play the game of baseball and to learn all the life lessons being a part of a team teaches all of us. Great learning environment for our athletes.

DO YOU HAVE ANY COLLEGE COMMITS WITHIN THE PROGRAM?

Sam Smith - Santa Clara

Grayson Grinsell - Oregon

BESIDES A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP, WHAT DO YOU TRY TO ACCOMPLISH WITHIN YOUR PROGRAM EVERY YEAR?

Our Mission Statement is to Teach Life Lessons Through the Game of Baseball to help Our Athletes Be Successful Later in Life. We concentrate on Personal Development more than Player Development.

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DIRECTOR NOTES
PBR Nevada Director of Scouting, Brett Harrison

The Reno baseball program is one of the most storied programs in the Silver State with a rich history in churning out Division 1 talent and they aren't slowing down with two talented prospects in Santa Clara recruit, Sam Smith, and Oregon commit, Grayson Grinsell. Smith is a long, lean right hander with a fastball running up into the low 90's and will be a major piece of the Reno pitching staff this Spring. Grinsell continued his positive progression with arguably the top performance of the Scout Day Season so far, highlighted by his 96 mph Outfield Velocity. Reno's 2022 class also includes shortstop, Mason Rowe, and two-way, two sport prospect, Eric Nachtsheim, who showed well on both the mound and in the batters box. This is a program that has been a staple in Northern Nevada and each year they seem to reload on talent with projectable athletes in the 2023 and 2024 classes. We expect this group to be present deep into the playoffs this Spring.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
Bishop Gorman Scout Day	NV	03/04	Heritage Park
The Meadows Scout Day	NV	03/07	The Meadows
Southern Nevada Open Scout Day	NV	03/13	Faith Lutheran High School
Bases Loaded Elite Scout Day	NV	03/22	Doc Romeo Park
Rising Stars of Southern Nevada (2025/2026)	NV	04/10	Faith Lutheran High School
Rising Stars of Northern Nevada (2025-2026)	NV	04/24	TBD