The Arizona Diamondbacks have recently found something that they liked in another Demon Deacon. This time it was Justin Van Grouw, who recently graduated from Wake Forest in May of 2013. Just one month ago, he was receiving his diploma in Health and Exercise Science, and now he is putting his knowledge to the test as a professional baseball player.

Photo courtesy of balloonridesphoenix.com

On June 15, the Arizona Diamondbacks organization signed the right handed pitcher to a minor league contract, but he is still waiting an assigned team within the Dbacks’ minor league system. He may just encounter some fellow Demon Deacons in the minor leagues.
Recently, two other Deacon graduates were picked by MLB clubs in the MLB First Year Player Draft, which brought Niko Spezial to the Washington Nationals’ organization and Pat Blair to the Tampa Bay Rays’ organization.

Spezial and Blair will be playing in the New-York Penn League (Class A Short Season), with Blair playing on the Auburn Doubledays, which is where Carlos Lopez (’12) spent last season. This now puts a tally at five former Wake Forest players in the NYPL over the last two seasons with Brian Holmes and Tim Cooney also playing for NYPL teams. Cooney was even in all-star in the league.

Van Grouw hopes to be an all-star too. The Oakland, N.J. native will be bringing his skills that earned him a 4.16 ERA, while starting for the Deacons. He was a workhorse for Wake, leading the team with over 70 innings pitched.

The Diamondbacks hope he can keep up his endurance, and possibly make his way to the Major Leagues.