EFFINGHAM —
Twin brothers Chase and Chad Green came back to Effingham over the holidays, preparing for their respective upcoming season. But there's a greater goal on the line for the Greens. They were working out together and focusing on their one goal: getting drafted to play Major League Baseball.
Both brothers are entering their junior year, Chad at the University of Louisville and Chase at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.
As they set their sights on the Show, working out over the last few weeks in Effingham has reminded them of what's brought them this far.
"We always have worked harder than everybody else. Carrying that into our college careers has helped us the most," Chase said. "Putting in more hours, more time, that's what counts the most."
Chad agreed, saying that mindset is paramount in collegiate ball, whether it be in the Big East or Ohio Valley conferences.
"If you don't do that in college baseball, you're not going to succeed or do well," Chad said.
Chad was drafted coming out of Effingham High School in the 37th round by the Toronto Blue Jays, but ultimately opted to play collegiately at Louisville.
In his sophomore campaign, Chad appeared in 22 games, starting six times. He put together a 5-0 record, had a 2.70 ERA in 46.2 innings, striking out 42 while walking nine.
"It was a great opportunity that I didn't think it was the right time to pursue my pro career," he said. "I was too young and didn't know really what I was doing. Going to college was the best decision I've ever made."
Louisville was tabbed as the preseason Big East favorite after reaching the NCAA regional tournament last year. Green is set for his junior year, and is eligible to be drafted again after the season.
"The goals I have are pretty much team goals, and I think individual goals will come off what the team does," Chad said. "If the team does better, each individual player will do better and get what they want out of it, whether it's the draft or going to Omaha (for the College World Series)."
Down in Edwardsville, Chase has started every game at shortstop since stepping on the team as a freshman, hitting .234 as a freshman in 2011 and .254 in his sophomore year. He had 147 assists last year, ninth all-time in Cougar history.
"It was a great decision, I've gotten to play every inning that I've been there since I was a freshman," Chase said. "That's tough to do as a position player. I can't imagine going anywhere else."
While he doesn't have the draft pedigree of his brother, Chase is working on improving his draft stock over the next two years, and he hit .336 playing 38 games of summer ball in Amsterdam, N.Y. last summer.
SIUE was 13-14 in the Ohio Valley Conference last year and Chase said he thinks the Cougars are among the top three teams in the OVC.
"(My goals are) ultimately (for) the team to do well," he said. "Getting drafted is the ultimate goal, it's the dream you've always had, so keep working toward that. Being more consistent is the main thing. The tools are there, keep working and fine-tuning is the main thing."
The two left to go back to their respective universities last weekend, but the time home was good on a baseball level and a personal level.
Chase and Chad worked out together in their time here, which served as family time as well.
"It's nice just to be back," Chad said. "We can relate to each other, we're both going to D-1 schools and doing the same thing."
SIU-Edwardsville opens up its campaign on Feb. 15 in Nashville, Tenn., for a three-game set against Lipscomb. Chad and the Cardinals begin the season in the Big East/Big Ten Challenge. They play Indiana on Feb. 15 in Dunedin, Fla., USF on Feb. 16 in Clearwater and Purdue on Feb. 17 in St. Petersburg.
Local News
Related Photos
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Chase and Chad Green pose together in a recent visit back to Effingham over the holidays. Ryan Czachorski
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Chase Green swings while Chad Green pitches during their time at Effingham High School. File photo
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Chase Green swings while Chad Green pitches during their time at Effingham High School. File photo
Discussion
January 10, 2013
Brothers spend holidays at home preparing for MLB draft
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