RHS grad signs with Nationals

Former Russellville High School and Auburn University baseball standout Cody Greenhill has signed a free agent deal with the Washington Nationals.

Greenhill, who just finished up his senior season as a pitcher for the Auburn Tigers, keeps his dream of playing Major League Baseball alive and well with the free agent contract after not being selected in this year’s MLB Draft. The Tiger will now take his talents to the minors, looking to climb the ladder to the big leagues.

The 6-foot-4 right-hander joins 2021 AU teammates Ryan Bliss, Richard Fitts, Tyler Miller, Steven Williams and Jack Owen as players who have joined MLB organizations so far this July. Williams will also be in the Washington organization after being selected in Round 18 by the Nats. Fellow pitcher Owen went the free agent route and has joined the Oakland A’s organization.

Greenhill was a key member of three-straight Class 5A state championship teams as a Golden Tiger under Russellville head coach Chris Heaps. As a senior at RHS he had an ERA of 0.74 and went 12-2.

Greenhill was also tremendous with the bat that year, hitting .336 and setting the single-season school record for home runs with 16. He was a slick-fielding third baseman along with dominating on the mound.

“The Bull,” as he is affectionately known at Auburn, finished his career on the Plains tied for fourth in school history with 20 saves. He had an overall 11-6 record and finished with a 2.78 ERA.

A top moment came in 2019 when Greenhill helped lead the Tigers to the College World Series in Omaha under head coach Butch Thompson. That season, he was tied for second in the SEC with 12 saves.

Greenhill was off to flawless start in 2020 with four scoreless appearances before the season ended early because of the pandemic.

This year, Greenhill began the season back in the starter’s role that he flourished in at Russellville High School. He made eight starts, including a win on opening day, before the injury bug made a return to the bullpen necessary.

After the restructuring of Minor League Baseball that went into effect this season, the Washington Nationals have the Florida Complex League Nationals in West Palm Beach, Fla., the Fredericksburg Nationals in Low-A, Wilmington Blue Rocks in High-A, Harrisburg Senators in Double-A and Rochester Red Wings in Triple-A as professional affiliates.