A New Chapter for Grapeland Baseball
Tyrell Jenkins, a former professional pitcher who once threw for the Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers, has been named head baseball coach at Grapeland High School, taking over a program that finished the season with a 17‑9‑1 record and a playoff berth.
Jenkins brings a decade‑long journey through the minor leagues, where he compiled a 39‑35 record with a 4.23 ERA and earned the distinction of Braves Minor League Organizational Pitcher of the Year in 2015.
His coaching résumé includes stints at Palestine Westwood, Center and Kaufman high schools before he accepted the Grapeland position, a move that follows a playing career that began when he was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round of the 2010 MLB Draft.
Building on Recent Success
The Grapeland program, which reached the second round of the playoffs last season, will look to build on that momentum under Jenkins, who also starred as a three‑star quarterback recruit at Baylor University before focusing on baseball.
Athletic director Maria Lopez said the school is excited to pair the community’s rich baseball tradition with Jenkins’s professional experience, noting that his background could help attract talented players from across East Texas.
Fans and alumni alike have already begun discussing the potential impact of Jenkins’s arrival, with many hoping his connections to former MLB teammates will open new development pathways for the school’s pitchers.
Looking Ahead
While the team lost a close game to Gary in the playoffs, the recent winning record signals that Grapeland is on the rise, and Jenkins is expected to leverage that momentum as he shapes the next generation of athletes.