Trib HSSN baseball player of the week for April 6, 2025

By: Don Rebel
Sunday, April 6, 2025 | 10:28 PM

Trib HSSN baseball player of the week – Eli Graff

School – Thomas Jefferson

Class – Sophomore

Position – First base, outfielder

#Earned – Thomas Jefferson started the week sitting at 2-2 as it began its Section 4-5A schedule with back-to-back games against Baldwin. On Tuesday, Eli Graff was 2 for 4 with two runs scored, three RBIs and a home run that broke a tie and led the Jaguars to a win at Baldwin, 7-2. The next day, Graff was sticking it again, finishing 2 for 2 with two runs scored and two RBIs as Thomas Jefferson plated eight runs in the third inning and led by 10 before holding on to finish the sweep of the Highlanders and claim first place in the section 10-5.

Background – Graff is making the most of his first chance to start on the varsity level. Graff said his varsity career got off to a tough start last spring when he finally got into his first game as a freshman and dropped a fly ball to right field. Prior to his home run last week, Graff said he may have only hit one other home run his entire baseball playing career. Graff played a lot of sports when he was younger, including basketball, hockey and wrestling at various times in his youth, but the two he hung on to into high school were baseball and football. He was a reserve quarterback on the Jaguars football team this past fall. He prefers watching college sports as opposed to pro sports, paying closer attention to college football and baseball. One of his favorite players is former Florida Gators first baseman, currently in the Kansas City minor leagues, Jac Caglianone. His favorite class at school is history, in which they are currently learning about World War II.

What coach says – “It was a tie ball game going into the fourth inning, and Eli’s home run was the beginning of breaking the game open,” Thomas Jefferson coach Tim Vickers said about Graff’s big hit Tuesday against Baldwin. “Then he pretty much sealed the win with the two-RBI single in the fifth inning.”

Vickers, on Wednesday’s game: “Just like the day before, Eli came up in clutch moments. His timely hitting contributed to two big innings to help the team win.

“Eli has been working relentlessly on swing mechanics, and it’s showing. What can go unnoticed is his attention to detail on the defensive side of the game. Eli playing first base should help our pitching situation as we move deeper into section play.”

When asked if Graff is earning a bigger role moving forward, the coach agreed.

“Yes, absolutely. His early success is a result of hard work, and I view Eli as the type of player that won’t stop. This first taste of success will only drive him to be better in all aspects of the game.”

A look back at the 2024 Trib HSSN Baseball Players of the Week

Week 11 – Ben Ryan, Indiana

Week 10 – Carson Franc, Avonworth

Week 9 – David Posey, North Allegheny

Week 8 – David Shields, Mt. Lebanon

Week 7 – Dylan Smith, Blackhawk

Week 6 – Brock Cornell, West Allegheny

Week 5 – A.J. Verdi, Mohawk

Week 4 – Jake Robinson, Montour

Week 3 – Gio LoNero, Seton LaSalle

Week 2 – Tommy Schafale, North Catholic

Week 1 – Ryan Petras, Bethel Park

Tags: Thomas Jefferson