Grady Emerson is not known as a home run hitter -- which is only because scouts rave about his all-around game. One of the youngest players on Team USA's 18U National Team roster last fall, the young infielder earned All-Tournament honors in the WBSC World Cup Americas qualifier, was Perfect Game's No. 1 ranked player in the 2026 prep class, and there's rumors he could go first overall at next year's Amateur Draft.
But when Emerson, committed to Texas University next year, stepped into the box at Truist Park on Saturday for the High School HR Derby, Emerson had no issue blasting baseball after baseball into the stands. Emerson hit 26 long balls, putting himself into Monday's head-to-head final against Beau Peterson.
"I kind of stepped out of my element there for a little bit," Emerson told MLB.com after his round. "Usually when I take batting practice, it's usually just singles up the middle, working on backspinning baseballs."
This time, though, the goal was homers. Emerson obliged.
"That was probably the most swinging I've taken in two and a half minutes in my life," Emerson said with a laugh. "But going out there, hitting on that field with all the people around me, all the Futures Game guys -- I know Slade Caldwell, who I played with previously -- seeing people I knew, being around kids that I love, and then getting to hit on an MLB ballpark, it was one of the coolest experiences I've ever had."
Emerson will soon get to show off that home run swing again soon: It was announced on Monday ahead of the HS HR Derby finals that Emerson will be playing at Home Run Derby X: Round Rock on July 26. Emerson will look to use the skills he learned in Saturday's high school tournament when taking part in the 3-on-3 co-ed derby.
"I'm gonna use [that experience] to try to pace myself," Emerson said. "Obviously, you do the two and a half minutes timer. I learned that's a long time. In your brain, when you first hear it, you're like, 'Oh, two and a half minutes, that's gonna go by like that.' No, my legs were dying with a minute left."
Drew Anderson, a co-founder and owner of the Pro5 Baseball Academy and one of Emerson's coaches on the Canes elite travel ball team, has no concerns about what the youngster will do against big league competition.
"He's obviously a fantastic player," Anderson said. "He's got all five tools. That's what I love about him. The guy can hit for power, hit for average. He can run fantastic, has an amazing arm. He's everything that you'd want, but on top of that is his character and just the ability to show up every day and want to win. He's a competitor, and that's why I'm so excited to see him on the [HRDX] stage. I think he's going to help us score some points."
Emerson will be lining up alongside Adrián Gonzalez at Round Rock, as the two will represent the Dodgers at the event.
"He was a little before my time, but I've seen a lot of great highlights of him and his swing," Emerson said. "He's another one of those big guys, he just mashes. I'm really excited to get to watch him. I'm on his team, so that'll be really cool. I'll get to pick his brain a little bit, hit with him and just enjoy the environment with him."
While Gonzalez started his career in Texas, he and Emerson will be representing the Dodgers. That means Emerson will need to face off against his beloved Rangers, the team that made the Argyle, Tex., native fall in love with the game.
"My start in baseball was going to Rangers games, probably from the ages of three to four," Emerson said. "Me and my family, that's how we bonded. We'd all go to Rangers games. We'd all pick our favorite players. I could easily recite the Rangers lineup when I was that age. I was, like, the biggest Rangers fan ever."
Growing up, his favorite player was Ian Kinsler, though these days there's another Rangers infielder who he thinks has a game similar to his own: Corey Seager.
"I love his swing. I love his work ethic," Emerson said. "I love the fact that he's a quiet guy on the field. I love being around my teammates. I'll be your hype man when I'm in in the dugout. I'll be the first one to high-five you. I'll be the first one to scream for you when you hit a home run. But on the field, when I'm actually at shortstop, I try to stay as calm as I possibly can because when my energy goes up, I just get out of control."
Emerson spent Sunday night at the MLB Draft in Atlanta, getting a peek at what may await him next year.
"That's just motivation for me," Emerson said. "I don't like to brag. I'm a very humble kid. I don't like to let people know that I'm a really high rated player."
Instead, he'd much rather be like Seager, quiet on the field until it's time to launch a massive home run in the World Series.
"I just can't imagine hitting it, knowing it's going out, being able to scream," Emerson said. "To look around and just see thousands of people in there clapping their hands, cheering. I hope one day I get to experience something even close to that."