Randal Grichuk was ranked seventh when our 2015 St. Louis Cardinals’ top prospects list was published in March of that year. The 22-year-old outfielder was acquired by NL Central Club 16 months ago and was selected 24 by the Los Angeles Angels from a high school in Los Angeles in 2009. Grichuk was the back-to-back Angels draft pick that summer, and the second was Mike Trout.
Grichuk has lasted a good career. Now in his 13th major league season, finishing second with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the second time, hitting the racer with a right-handed push to push 203 home runs while recording 102 WRC+. Additionally, none of the 23 players drafted in front of him (admittedly pitcher first round) had multiple home runs, nor had they recorded so many hits. AJ Pollock is the only player with a higher position.
What is Grichuk's 2015 scout report like? Also, ten years later, how did he view it? To find out, I shared something written by Kiley McDaniel, the then leading prospect analyst, and asked Grichuk to respond.
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“Grichuk was the Angels’ first round, and they led the Mike Trout in 2009, although Grichuk itself has become a solid prospect.”
“That's accurate,” Gricooke replied. “Before the Trout, I was selected as a draft pick, and I was good enough in the minor league to be seen as a prospect.”
“They basically inexplicably got Grichuk in the Peter Bourjos-David Freese deal in 2013 and now Grichuk is knocking on the door.”
“I guess they felt their depth was enough to get rid of their best draft picks,” Grichuk said. “It was definitely a surprise. Obviously, it was obviously my first time being traded and I really didn't hear any rumors. Suddenly, I learned that we had traded Peter Bourjos to the Cardinals, and I'll talk about it later.
“These tools are daily quality with above average bat speed and raw power to maintain average arm strength and edge speed, which is better.”
“I would say it's accurate,” Gricook agreed. “I have the ability to push the ball onto the outfielder's head. I'm quick, quick enough to get the job done on defense.
“I don't know any one will inevitably get better,” Grichuk said with a smile. “Not now, with my age. But yeah, it was accurate back then. I know where they came from.”
“He can be aggressive and chase the area, but his last three levels are still young, and although his strikeout rate has improved in every level, he has spanned 65 home runs in that.”
“I would say it's very accurate,” the veteran outfielder replied. “It wasn't until late in my career that I really learned how to hit the slider or break the ball. So there were a lot of swinging mistakes, a lot of jumpers trying to hit the heater without much seeing the ball. It wasn't until 2020 that I probably learned to get my body into the breaking ball position so that I could hit the breaking ball to understand where I needed to start and finish.”
“Grichuk can play in pinch, but it’s suitable for the right area.”
“It's also accurate,” he replied. “I can play – I'm probably average – but at that moment of my career I felt like I was doing well in the right areas. I could jump better on the ball. Overall, I felt more comfortable.”
“The question is how much he will play, how much raw power he will get in the game.”
“There were so many swings and missing back then,” Gricook reiterated. “I was the gunman on the heater at the time and, like I said, I really didn't know how to hit the ball.
“He's ready.”
“I'm ready,” Grichuk said. “I don't think I'm the player I'm today – mentally, physically or mechanically – but I do feel like I'm ready.” I just don't have the preparations I am now. ”
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Previous “Old Scout Report Revisit” interviews can be found through these links: Cody Bellinger, Matthew Boyd, Dylan Cease, Matt Chapman, Erick Fedde, Ian Happ, Jeff Hoffman, Matthew Liberatore.
