Trent Grisham is a player who has shown glimpses of greatness on the baseball field. However, his inconsistency has left some wondering if he can maintain his performance and truly be considered a valuable asset to his team.
In this analysis, we will explore Grisham’s recent performance and assess whether or not he is a “good” player in the eyes of baseball analysts and fans alike.
Productive 2022 Season
Trent Grisham, a former draft pick of the Milwaukee Brewers, had a productive 2022 season despite not being able to replicate his performance from 2020. He is still a valuable addition to any team because of his ability to hit for power and produce runs.
Grisham’s 2022 stats
In 2022, Trent Grisham batted .243 with 17 home runs, 57 RBIs, and 74 runs scored in 609 plate appearances. He also stole 17 bases and walked 70 times, resulting in an OBP of .357. His OPS was .805, and he had a WAR of 3.1.
Analysis of his 17 home runs and 19.9 xHR
Grisham’s 17 home runs and 19.9 xHR show that he still has the power to produce runs. His xHR, or expected home runs, give an estimate of how many home runs he should have hit based on the quality of contact he made.
Despite hitting fewer actual home runs than in 2020, his xHR shows that he was still making good contact with the ball.
Comparison to other players’ stats
When compared to other players in the league, Grisham’s stats were above average. His OPS ranked 77th among qualified hitters in the league, and his OBP ranked 48th. His HR total was tied for 69th in the league, while his SB total ranked 19th.
However, it’s important to note that Grisham missed some time due to injury, so his counting stats may have been lower than those of other players who played more games.
Overall, Trent Grisham had a productive 2022 season despite not replicating his performance from 2020. His 17 home runs and 19.9 xHR show that he still has the potential to hit for power and produce runs.
While his stats may not have stood out when compared to other players in the league, he was still an above-average hitter and a valuable contributor to his team.
Barrels Rate Improvement
Barrels rate is a relatively new statistical metric that measures the percentage of batted balls that are hit with an optimal combination of exit velocity and launch angle.
A barrel is a batted ball that is expected to produce a batting average of at least .500 and a slugging percentage of at least 1.500 based on similar batted balls.
Thus, a higher barrels rate indicates a higher quality of contact and an increased likelihood of extra-base hits.
In 2020, Trent Grisham had a barrel rate of only 5.2%, which was below average. However, in 2021, his barrel rate climbed back up to 8.1%, which is a significant improvement.
Compared to other major league players, this rate is above average and ranks in the top third of all hitters. For context, players such as Juan Soto and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. posted barrel rates above 13% in 2021, while the average barrels rate for all hitters was around 6.5%.
The impact of Grisham’s improved barrel rate on his performance is crucial since it shows that he wasn’t just hitting more homers by chance, but that he was making better contact overall.
As aforementioned, Grisham still hit 17 home runs in 2021, which is a feared statistic, implying that he still has tremendous power. His improved barrel rate simply indicates that he was also hitting more balls hard, more consistently.
Overall, Grisham’s improved barrel rate indicates that he has the potential to be a productive hitter in the future. While it’s unlikely that he’ll continue to produce at his 2020 level, he has a better chance of remaining a useful player than if his contact quality remained poor.
The barrels rate metric is a useful tool in evaluating players’ power and can provide valuable insights into their overall offensive performance.
Former Brewers Draft Pick
Keone Kela is a right-handed relief pitcher who last played for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He is a former second-round draft pick of the Texas Rangers, where he made his MLB debut in 2015.
Kela has a career 3.24 ERA in 241 innings pitched, with 320 strikeouts and 100 walks. He has proven himself as a reliable late-inning option throughout his career, recording 28 saves and 25 holds in 294 MLB appearances.
In 2020, Kela was limited to just two appearances due to various injuries. However, prior to that, he had been one of the more consistent relievers in the league.
From 2016-2019, Kela posted a 2.74 ERA in 175 innings pitched, with 249 strikeouts and 67 walks. He was traded from the Rangers to the Pirates in July 2018, where he continued to perform well in 2019.
While Kela’s recent injury history is certainly a concern, he has the potential to be a dominant reliever when healthy. His fastball averages around 95 mph, and he also has a devastating curveball that he uses to generate strikeouts.
In fact, his 34.9% career strikeout rate is among the highest in the league for relievers with at least 200 innings pitched. Overall, Kela would be a solid addition to any team’s bullpen, assuming he can stay healthy.
His past success and strikeout ability make him a valuable late-inning option, and his relatively low career walk rate (3.7 BB/9) suggests that he can limit damage even when he isn’t striking batters out.
Potential for Continued Success
Factors that could impact Grisham’s future performance
There are several factors that could impact Grisham’s future performance. Firstly, injuries can always be a factor in a player’s performance. Grisham has had some injury struggles in the past, and if they persist, they could limit his playing time and affect his level of play.
Additionally, Grisham’s ability to adjust to pitchers’ game plans will always have an impact on his success. As pitchers adjust to his approach at the plate, he will need to adapt and continue to improve his game.
Finally, team dynamics and potential changes in the Padres’ roster could have an impact on Grisham’s role and performance.
Current projections for his performance
According to various projection systems, Grisham’s performance is expected to be solid but not exceptional in 2022. The Steamer projection system has him hitting .242 with 17 homers, 60 RBIs, and a 2.5 WAR over 138 games.
Fangraphs’ Depth Charts has him hitting .252 with 18 homers, 62 RBIs, and a 2.8 WAR over 137 games. These projections suggest that Grisham will continue to provide value for his team but should not be expected to be a superstar.
Potential for improvement in his game
Despite the projections suggesting modest performance, there is potential for Grisham to improve his game. As mentioned, his barrel rate increased in 2021, which is a positive sign. Additionally, Grisham has shown strong plate discipline, with a career walk rate of 13.4%.
If he can continue to improve his contact skills, he could become a more well-rounded player. Moreover, Grisham has shown the potential to be a dynamic defender, so he could improve his value with continued development in the outfield.
In conclusion, Grisham is a solid player with the potential to improve his game. While there are some factors that could impact his performance, his recent history suggests that he can be a productive hitter who provides value on both offense and defense.
The projections for 2022 suggest that he will continue to be a valuable asset to the Padres but should not be expected to be a superstar. Ultimately, Grisham’s success will depend on his ability to continue developing his skills and adapt to changes in the league.
Why Did Trent Grisham Change His Name?
Family Ties:
Trent Grisham changed his last name to his mother’s, acknowledging his roots in the family.
Personal Identity:
The change in name helped Trent Grisham define himself and create his own identity.
Connection to Heritage:
By taking his mother’s last name, Trent Grisham connected with his family’s heritage.
Distance from Father:
Trent Grisham’s decision to change his name could have also been influenced by the desire to distance himself from his father.
Simplification:
The name change from Trenton Marcus Clark to Trent Grisham could have been a move to simplify his name for professional career purposes.
In 2017, Trent Grisham, a Major League Baseball outfielder, changed his last name from Clark to Grisham. The change was not abrupt as he kept his first name. Trent wanted to acknowledge his roots in the family and sound an ode to his mother’s last name.
He believed that the new name had a more solid ring to it. Trent’s decision to change his name was a personal one, as he saw it as creating his own identity.
It was an opportunity to celebrate the family to which he belonged. The change allowed him to connect more deeply with his heritage and to celebrate it openly.
Trent’s decision might have also been influenced by his relationship with his father. He might have felt the need to distance himself from him since the family had issues. By taking his mother’s last name, Trent felt severing the link with his father.
Trent also might have changed his name to simplify his name’s spelling and pronunciation for professional career purposes. The new name was easier to pronounce and spell than Clark. The minor adjustment made it easier for people to remember his name and develop a connection with him.
In conclusion, Trent Grisham changed his name to acknowledge the roots of his family, connect with his heritage, simplify his name, and distance himself from his father.
The change of the name took place based on Trent’s personal reasons and is a reflection of his identity. Although it may seem like a small difference, the new name marked a new beginning in his life and helped him become the individual he is today.
How Much Does Trent Grisham Make?
Trent Grisham makes $3,175,000 guaranteed in his current contract with the San Diego Padres. The contract is for one year only. The annual average salary for Grisham is $3,175,000. Grisham’s base salary for 2023 is also $3,175,000.
He will earn this amount regardless of how many games he plays. Grisham’s previous contract was for $545,000. He is a center fielder and left-handed batter. Grisham was drafted in the first round of the 2015 MLB draft by the Milwaukee Brewers.
He made his MLB debut in 2019 with the Brewers. Grisham was traded to the Padres in July 2020.
To Recap
While it’s true that Trent Grisham’s performance in recent years has been marred by inconsistency, there’s no denying that he has the potential to be a valuable player on any team who gives him a chance.
His power and hitting ability are still evident, and his barrel rate shows that he is making solid contact with the ball. While it remains to be seen if he can maintain his current level of performance, the evidence suggests that Trent Grisham is, indeed, a good ballplayer.
