Testimonial Tuesday: Garrett Chandler

Date: March 26, 2019
By: Eric Leary

As the general manager of the Dirtbags and a coach of one of the top club’s in the country, Trey Daly has had the opportunity to be around plenty of top-notch performers on the baseball field. But when it comes to the preparations put in by those players to ready themselves both mentally and physically, he says that Garrett Chandler, a 2020 outfielder of Davie County High School, perhaps stands above many of his contemporaries.  

According to Daly in describing the junior who hits and throws righty, “Dedication and passion is never a question with him.”

In speaking to Chandler about his work ethic recently, he responded bluntly, “I’m not normal – I don’t go to parties … I like to lift heavy stuff.”  

Perhaps his commitment to his training shines through best in a story told by Daly that takes place after a late finish at a tournament on a Sunday last summer at the University of South Carolina. Trey commented to Mrs. Chandler that getting back so late would make Monday a tough start for everyone.

She responded with a chuckle that he had no idea, as Garrett would be demanding to still make his 5:30 workout as he hadn’t missed one in 6 months. And if she refused he would surely ride his bike.

Yeah, that pretty much sums up commitment.

Rest assured, all this work isn’t just pumping weights. His past offseason was about daily work on his swing to get better production to the opposite field. Taking 50+ tee swings before extended cage sessions was just part of the plan to develop consistent results to the right side.

And his performance regimen has certainly produced results and opportunities prior to now. He committed to play with East Carolina in the summer of 2017 after his freshman year of high school.  

Of his plans to join the Pirates after graduating from high school, Trey Daly said, “The kid is a worker and will fit in with Coach Godwin’s philosophy great at ECU.”

And he’s not afraid to be all in to help his team either. In a conversation about his expectations for 2019, he initially focused on his high school team, the Davie County War Eagles. The hard work and a competitive drive have allowed him to help elevate a squad that was coming off back to back years of hanging at the .500 mark. Chandler and his teammates risen to the occasion and come out of the gate with a 9-1 mark playing some solid baseball.

Appropriately, Daly adds about the multi-sport athlete who runs the 4×200 and the 55m for his school’s winter track team, “He’s not afraid to work nor is he scared to compete.”

Having been with the Dirtbags for the last three years gives the 5’9” and 170 pound competitor reason to believe this summer with the organization may be something special.  He says he appreciates how being with the Dirtbags has brought out his best by allowing him to play hard and compete every day out on the diamond.

When asked about his expectations for the Dirtbags in 2019 – he simply responds it is to win a national championship. He is very impressed with the group that the Dirtbags brass has put together and the players have stayed in close contact over the off-season; ultimately pushing one another in their preparations for what they hope to be a memorable summer.

One area Chandler credits the Dirtbags in his own development is at the plate with his approach, saying that he has seen himself grow be more relaxed. Additionally, he recognizes an improvement in his baserunning, saying information from coaches and teammates has allowed him to see more tendencies in the game and to get a better lead and jump.

For an organization that has long held the maxim of Earned Success, it is easily recognized why a player of Garrett’s effort and caliber would say, “I have loved every minute of being with the Dirtbags; (being with) a bunch of guys competing hard and wanting to win each game.”

Those are strong words from a player who has many strengths.

 

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