Grichuk adds pop, stability to a Rockies lineup missing homer run production after Arenado and Story departures

When GM Bill Schmidt signed Kris Bryant to a seven-year, $182 million deal on March 18, he addressed Colorado’s desire for power in the outfield, not to mention the growing need for a marquee name in the wake of recent exits by Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story.

A week later, Schmidt acquired his second power hitter – Randal Grichuk – when trading Raimel Tapia and prospect Adrian Pinto to the Toronto Blue Jays.

“When he steps in the batter’s box, there’s danger with power,” Bud Black said of the club’s latest addition. “Pitchers are always worried about guys with power. That’s the thing that sticks out to me (about Grichuk) is the power.”

The Rockies have another explosive bat in the middle of the order with Grichuk in addition to someone who can log regular innings in center field.

With more than half his starts in center over the past three seasons with Toronto, Colorado has upgraded their defense while allowing Black to mix and match on the diamond, especially with the advent of the universal designated hitter.

The team plans to rotate the DH spot to allow for players to get off their feet while staying in the lineup. It could even mean the team’s best defensive center fielder, Yonathan Daza, allows for Grichuk to move to right field should Charlie Blackmon need nine-innings of rest.

Regardless of where the 30-year-old is deployed on the field, he’ll need to get up to speed quickly about playing at altitude.

“I was talking to Blackmon a little bit this morning about it,” Grichuk shared. “I feel like I’m probably going to talk to the training staff and the strength staff a little bit more about taking care of my body differently to withstand a full season playing out there. I know it’s not easy. There’s guys here that have done it and done it for years, so I’ll definitely lean on them to help me out.”

The trio of Arenado (165), Story (158) and Blackmon (146) are the only Rockies to have hit more than 61 home runs for the franchise since the start of the 2016 season. Ryan McMahon has exactly that number and Carlos González, who hasn’t suited up in purple for the last three years, is next with 55 dingers.

Grichuk has hit more than 20 every year since becoming a regular in 2016 and was on pace for more than 30 homers during the pandemic-shortened 2020. His 136 long balls during that time are 17th most for an outfielder and only one behind Kyle Schwarber and five behind Bryant, two players who signed this offseason for a combined $261 million.

At less than $11 million over the next two season – thanks for $9.7 million paid by the Blue Jays – Grichuk is a relative bargain for a player of his production.

“If you look at him statistically, I would like to think that there’s an RBI component in there as well. Couple years ago he had 80+ RBI,” Black offered about Grichuk’s potential. “The thing that stands out the most is that when he steps in the box, the pitcher knows he can hit the ball out of the ballpark. And if there’s guys on base, even better.”

The Rosenberg, TX native is now a resident of Arizona feels a familiarity in the clubhouse already after having spent some time working out this offseason with the likes of Ryan Rolison, Austin Gomber, Dom Nuñez and Garrett Hampson. He’s somewhat acquainted with Bryant from their days as part of the Cubs-Cardinals rivalry, not to mention experience with several others Rockies from over the years.

Toronto benefited from having Grichuk in their lineup over the past four seasons as their young corps debuted and began to gain experience in the challenging American League East. Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Bo Bichette, Teoscar Hernández and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. are just a few who benefitted from having Grichuk in the middle of the Jays’ order. 

“There were definitely things that we were doing in Toronto that I think elevated some of those hitters these last couple years,” he shared of his previous club’s success. “Hopefully I can bring some of that over here. See how they work and how they go about their business and kind of mold the two together and do what’s best for everyone.”

After working with Rockies’ great Dante Bichette, who served as a Special Assistant to the GM with the Blue Jays following a stint as a coach with the club, Grichuk improved upon his approach at the plate. 

It showed in 2020 with an increase in batting average and on-base percentage, not to mention a decrease in strikeouts. And it appeared to work well at the start of 2021 before Toronto’s roster was about to undergo a significant change.

“(George) Springer was coming back and I kind of kept looking over my shoulder about when he’s coming back and what’s going to happen. So it didn’t end the way I wanted to, but it started the way I wanted to. I learned from it and now know more about myself going into this season.”

Tuesday: 8-2, vs. Angels, Loss

In his 2022 Cactus League debut, Rockies starting pitcher Antonio Senzatela allowed five runs on four hits over four innings.

The right-hander walked three and struck out three. Assuming he’ll have four days of rest before his next start on April 3, Senza looks in line to start Opening Day for the Rockies. Manager Bud Black has yet to make the announcement. 

Carlos Estévez, Daniel Bard and Robert Stephenson pitched a scoreless inning with each reliever striking out two.

Grichuk continues to play well, going 2-for-2 with a double and a walk against the organization that originally drafted him in 2009, one pick before Mike Trout. Between his with Toronto and Colorado, Grichuk is now batting .429 this spring.

Elias Díaz also chipped in with two hits, both singles.

Wednesday: 9-2 vs. Diamondbacks, Loss

Before the game, the Rockies reassigned OF Bret Boswell, IF Kyle Holder, IF/OF Tim Lopes and OF Scott Schebler to minor league camp. Three non-roster players (LHP Ty Blach, C Carlos Pérez, C Brian Serven) remain among the 37 in big league camp. Should any of the trio make the Opening Day 28-man roster, Colorado would need to make a move on the 40-man roster as there is currently no available space. 

Germán Márquez was sharp in the early going until back-to-back doubles by Josh Rojas and Carson Kelly put Arizona on the board in the fourth. He wouldn’t finishing the inning and ended his day after 3.2 innings pitched. He gave up four hits, all doubles, one run and struck out six while walking none. Two K’s came via fastball while the other four were on breaking pitches.

Despite a final score that suggests a blowout, the DBacks entered the ninth inning with only a 3-2 lead. Jordan Sheffield had a rough outing that included two home runs, two walks and a wild pitch. He recorded only one out before Logan Cozart came on for the final two.

Ty Blach impressed once again with a scoreless inning that stranded two runners. In four appearances with the Rockies, he’s posted a 2.57 ERA with eight hits allowed, no walks and five strikeouts.

Ryan McMahon broke out with a 2-for-3 performance for his second multi-hit game this month. He’s now 6-for-14 (.429) with two doubles and two RBI over the past five games since going 0-for-9 to begin Cactus League play.

C.J. Cron extended his hit streak to five games with a single in three at-bats to raise his Spring Training batting average to .421 (8-for-19).