Jason Grilli
| IP | 684 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.224 |
| WHIP | 1.368 |
| BB/9 | 3.842 |
| SO/9 | 9.132 |
- Full name Jason Michael Grilli
- Born 11/11/1976 in Royal Oak, MI
- Profile Ht.: 6'5" / Wt.: 235 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Seton Hall
- Debut 05/11/2000
- Drafted in the 1st round (4th overall) by the San Francisco Giants in 1997 (signed for $1,875,000).
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
-
Grilli shocked everyone except perhaps himself when he won a spot in the Marlins rotation out of spring training last year. Just months removed from arthroscopic elbow surgery to repair a stress fracture, he showed a smooth delivery, good feel for his curveball and changeup and a 90-92 mph sinker that produced easy groundballs. He also displayed the self-confidence and moxie one might expect from the son of a former big league pitcher (Steve Grilli, now a Cardinals scout). Upon his demotion to Triple-A in early May, Grilli was inconsistent but had by far his best career success at that level. He suffered a setback with forearm tightness, and nerve and disc problems in his upper back ended a September callup and wiped out a trip to the Arizona Fall League. His availability for the start of spring training was in question. It's uncertain whether Grilli's health ever will allow him to live up to the $1.875 million signing bonus the Giants gave him back in 1997. -
Grilli won his big league debut last May 11, beating the mighty Braves. The gangly righthander showed flashes of the ability that earned him a $1.875 million bonus from the Giants in 1997 and later made him the key to the trade that sent Livan Hernandez to the Bay Area. But his victory over Atlanta was the aberration in a season bracketed by misery. Invited to spring training to audition for the fifth starter's spot, Grilli went 0-1, 11.17 in four outings and didn't get the part. Next came yet another round of Triple-A bashings, interrupted only by his night in the majors, then capped in late May by his first trip to the disabled list. He wouldn't pitch again, as a bout of elbow tendinitis led to arthroscopic surgery in August. A year ago Grilli was the organization's No. 8 prospect, but his stock has plummeted to the point where you wonder if he shouldn't just go by Grilli.com. In 43 career PCL starts over three seasons, he has gone 9-17, 6.16. In 225 innings, he has allowed 287 hits, 103 walks and struck out just 121. The more Grilli struggles, the worse things get. Overthrowing has been a persistent problem for the son of former big league pitcher Steve Grilli, now a Cardinals scout. He still has great sink on his two-seam fastball, which he throws in the low 90s. But his curve has flattened out and his changeup still needs work. Maybe the first health scare of his career will convince him that harder isn't always better. -
Background: Taken out of Seton Hall with the fourth overall pick in 1997, Grilli received a $1.875 million signing bonus from the Giants after a summer-long holdout. He quickly established himself as their top prospect but was traded east last July along with fellow minor league righthander Nate Bump in the Livan Hernandez deal. His father Steve is a former big league righthander and now scouts for the Cardinals. Strengths: Grilli's fastball tops out at 94 mph and shows late life and good sink. He has the makings of a plus curve and an average change. Weaknesses: The inexperienced Grilli has trouble at times keeping his delivery smooth, and his command in turn suffers. He still needs to learn how to subtract velocity to achieve his aims. The Future: Grilli made a solid showing in the Arizona Fall League after struggling all year in the Pacific Coast League. Most likely he'll return to Triple-A until he masters that level. -
Background: After being drafted with the No. 4 overall pick in 1997, Grilli held out too long and missed the season. He quickly made up for lost time that fall in instructional league and Hawaii Winter Baseball, where he was named the now-defunct league's last No. 1 prospect. He threw 163 innings last year between Double-A and Triple-A in his first full season and the Giants wisely kept him from any winter ball action. His father, Steve, is a former big league righthander and works as a scout with the Cardinals. Strengths: Grilli's strengths go beyond his raw stuff. He throws an above-average fastball that tops out at 94 mph and has excellent late-moving life. His changeup also is a plus pitch. But best of all, Grilli has the potential to have solid command of both pitches because a mechanically-sound, low-maintenance delivery enables him to consistently spot his pitches low in the strike zone. And Grilli's makeup may outstrip his stuff. Grilli grew up around big league clubhouses and the Giants say he has the mental toughness, poise and understanding of winning that good big leaguers have. Weaknesses: Scouts felt Grilli's top pitch in college was his knee-buckling curveball, but Grilli struggled at times last year to find his touch and control of the pitch. His lack of innings and a consistent breaking ball were exposed when Grilli was hit harder after his promotion to Triple-A. The Future: The one major flaw on the Giants roster last year was a reliance on veteran righthanders such as Danny Darwin, Mark Gardner and Orel Hershiser, who combined for 563 innings. The organization is counting heavily on Grilli to lead a group of strong-armed prospects into the rotation over the next two years. While Grilli probably won't start '99 in the majors, he should make his big league debut sometime this season.
