San Diego Padres outfielder Trent Grisham certainly had an interesting year.
The regular season saw him struggle with the bat, posting a career-low 83 wRC+ (league-average is 100) after hitting .184/.284/.341 in 524 plate appearances.
However, he was much more productive in the playoffs, hitting three home runs and taking his wRC+ to 106.
What really makes Grisham an up-and-coming star, however, is his game-changing glove.
This week, he won his second career Gold Glove in center field, and he is now in a pretty good company in franchise history.
“Trent Grisham is a two-time Gold Glover. He joins Tony Gwynn, Dave Winfield and Steve Finley as Padres outfielders with multiple Gold Gloves. (And he picked up this one on his 26th birthday, no less.),” Parent insider AJ Cassavell tweeted.
Trent Grisham is a two-time Gold Glover. He joins Tony Gwynn, Dave Winfield and Steve Finley as Padres outfielders with multiple Gold Gloves. (And he picked up this one on his 26th birthday, no less.)
— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) November 1, 2022
Grisham’s defense has been the main reason why he has been able to post Wins Above Replacement (WAR) finishes over 2.0 for the last three seasons.
His Offense Needs To Improve For Him To Enter Superstardom
For him to become a real, consistent star, however, he needs to take his offense to 2020 levels.
That year, he slashed .251/.352/.456 with 10 homers, 10 stolen bases, and a 122 wRC+.
He was a true force that season.
Many of his offensive struggles stem from the fact he doesn’t make consistent contact.
This campaign, he struck out in 28.6 percent of his plate appearances.
He had eight Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and an incredible 13 Outs Above Average (OAA) in the outfield this year, though.
He is a truly gifted defensive outfielder, and because of that, he will keep getting all the playing time he can handle.
That gives him an opportunity to improve his offense.
If that happens, I might fully break out.
