| Jason Grilli | |
|---|---|
 Grilli with the Texas Rangers in 2017 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1976-11-11)November 11, 1976 (age 49) Royal Oak, Michigan, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| May 11, 2000, for the Florida Marlins | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| October 1, 2017, for the Texas Rangers | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 34–47 |
| Earned run average | 4.22 |
| Strikeouts | 694 |
| Saves | 79 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Jason Michael Grilli (born November 11, 1976) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theFlorida Marlins,Chicago White Sox,Detroit Tigers,Colorado Rockies,Pittsburgh Pirates,Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim,Atlanta Braves,Toronto Blue Jays, andTexas Rangers. Taken as the fourth overall selection of the1997 MLB draft by theSan Francisco Giants, Grilli was one of the topstarting pitcher prospects in all ofMinor League Baseball, ranked 54th in 1998 and 44th in 1999. The Giants traded him to the Florida Marlins in 1999, for whom he debuted on May 11, 2000.
In 2011, Grilli's career took off as arelief pitcher with the Pittsburgh Pirates. That year, he carried a 2.48earned run average (ERA) and 10.2strikeouts per nine innings (K/9) rate in 32innings pitched (IP), and further improved in 2012, when his strikeout rate climbed to 13.8. In 2013, Grilli made his firstAll-Star team and became Pittsburgh'scloser at the age of 36. From 2011 to 2014, he compiled a 3.09 ERA with 11.9 K/9, 3.3 BB/9 and a 34.2 percent ground-ball rate in195+1⁄3 IP.[1]
Although born in Michigan, Grilli moved toCentral New York when his father,Steve, played for theSyracuse Chiefs beginning in 1978.[2] Following Grilli's high school career atCharles W. Baker High School inBaldwinsville, New York,[3] he was drafted in the 24th round of the1994 Major League Baseball draft by theNew York Yankees, but he chose not to sign. Instead, he opted to play college baseball atSeton Hall University, which he attended from 1995 to 1997.[4]
In his junior year, Grilli struck out 18 batters in a game to breakCharles Nagy'sBig East Conference record.[5] He pitched to a 6–4win–loss record and a 4.65earned run average (ERA) with 125strikeouts in81+1⁄3innings pitched.[6] In 1995, he playedcollegiate summer baseball with theCotuit Kettleers of theCape Cod Baseball League, and returned to the league in 1996 to play for theBrewster Whitecaps.[7]
TheSan Francisco Giants selected Grilli in the first round, fourth overall, of the1997 Major League Baseball draft.[6]
Grilli earned high reviews fromscouts before the draft, who noted his good delivery, size and bloodlines.Milwaukee Brewers scout Russ Bove wrote that Grilli reminded him ofJim Palmer.[8] As a high draft pick, Grilli was immediately considered to be a top prospect.Baseball America ranked him as the No. 54 prospect in 1998 and the No. 44 prospect in 1999.[9]
Grilli began his professional career in 1998 with the Double-AShreveport Captains of theTexas League and the Triple-AFresno Grizzlies of thePacific Coast League. In 21 games for the Captains, Grilli went 7–10 with a 3.79 ERA with 100 strikeouts in 1231⁄3innings pitched. With the Grizzlies Grilli went 2–3 with a 5.14 ERA in eight games, all starts.
Grilli was named aTexas League All-Star for the 1998 season.[10]
On July 25, 1999, the Giants traded Grilli andNate Bump to theFlorida Marlins to acquireLiván Hernández.[11]
Grilli made his major-league debut on May 11, 2000.
Grilli missed the entire 2002 minor-league season followingTommy John surgery on his pitching elbow.[12] He returned in 2003, pitching most of the season with the AAAAlbuquerque Isotopes.
Grilli was drafted by theChicago White Sox in the 2003Rule 5 draft.[13] He had previously been heavily scouted as an amateur by White Sox scout Doug Laumann.[14] He spent 2004 in the White Sox organization after being selected. In January 2005, after the White Sox signedTadahito Iguchi, Grilli wasdesignated for assignment and eventually released.[15]
In 2005, Grilli signed aminor league contract with the Detroit Tigers. Tigers scouts and GMDave Dombrowski were familiar with his abilities, having previously traded for him while running the Marlins in 1999. After helping the Triple-A affiliateToledo Mud Hens to theInternational League Championship (he clinched the deciding game), Grilli joined the parent club for a brief late-season audition.
Grilli pitched for Team Italy in the2006 World Baseball Classic. He also had a goodspring training and earned a spot in the Tigers bullpen as along reliever, leading to his first extended stint in the majors. During the 2006 season, Grilli went 2–3 with a 4.21 ERA. He helped the Tigers to the2006 World Series where they lost to theSt. Louis Cardinals.
In 2007, Grilli posted career highs in almost every category, including games (57), innings (792⁄3), strikeouts (62), wins (5), and holds (11). However, Grilli heard boos atComerica Park during the season, mostly due to his home ERA of 7.96. He was much more effective away from home, posting a 1.91 ERA in road games. Tigers managerJim Leyland defended Grilli: "I like Grilli because he's got a resilient arm. ... There's a lot to be said for that."[16][17]
It was during his time with the Tigers that Grilli decided to abandon his big-breakingcurveball in favor of aslider. The move coincided with a transition from starting games in the minor leagues to relief pitching in the major leagues. Tigers teammateJeremy Bonderman, known for throwing a very effective slider,[18] helped Grilli tweak his grip and delivery. "I knew I could throw a slider because it's just a minor adjustment on how you release the ball", Grilli said."[19]
On April 30, 2008, Grilli was traded to theColorado Rockies for minor-league relief pitcher Zachary Simons. This move was made to clear a roster spot for incoming relieverFrancisco Cruceta.[20]
In January 2009, Grilli announced that he would again pitch for Team Italy in the2009 World Baseball Classic.[21]
On June 5, 2009, Grilli wasdesignated for assignment by the Rockies.[22]
On June 9, 2009, Grilli was acquired by theTexas Rangers for cash considerations.[23] In October 2009, Grilli was granted free agency.
On December 2, 2009, Grilli signed a minor-league contract with theCleveland Indians with an invitation to spring training.[24] Grilli suffered a severe knee injury inspring training while runningsprints and would later undergo surgery for a tornquadriceps muscle.[25] The injury and rehabilitation caused him to miss the entire2010 season.[26] Grilli filed for free agency on November 6, 2010.
On January 30, 2011, Grilli signed a minor-league contract with thePhiladelphia Phillies.[27] He pitched for the Triple-ALehigh Valley IronPigs, posting a 1.93 ERA in 321⁄3 innings, before being released on July 20.[28]
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Grilli signed a minor-league contract with thePittsburgh Pirates on July 21, 2011,[29] and spent the rest of the season on the Pirates major-league roster. The signing reunited Grilli with Pirates managerClint Hurdle, who had been Grilli's manager with the Rockies several years earlier.[30]
Grilli played in 64 games for the Pirates in the2012 season, recording a 1–6 record and 2.91 ERA. His 32holds were second-best in the National League, and his 13.8 strikeouts per nine innings was the fourth-best among NL relievers with 40 or more innings pitched. Grilli's fastball averaged 93.6 mph that season, his top velocity since 2007.[31][32]
On December 12, 2012, the Pirates announced that they had re-signed Grilli to a two-year contract, the first multi-year deal of his career. Several sportswriters noted that Grilli turned down more lucrative offers from other teams to remain with the Pirates.[33] Just two weeks later, the Pirates made a major trade by sending incumbent closerJoel Hanrahan along with infielderBrock Holt to theBoston Red Sox for infielderIván DeJesús Jr., relief pitcherMark Melancon, relief pitcherStolmy Pimentel and outfielderJerry Sands. The move opened up the Pirates closer role for the upcoming season, with Grilli as the presumed favorite.
Grilli again pitched for Team Italy in the2013 World Baseball Classic.[34]
Grilli opened the 2013 season as the Pirates closer. Before 2013, he had accumulated five career saves spanning 10 seasons. After the end of April in the 2013 season, Grilli was named theDelivery Man of the Month. He finished April 2013 with 12 game appearances, a 0.82 ERA and 10 saves in 10 save opportunities through 11 innings of work. Grilli became just the second Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher to save 10 games in the month of April sinceMike Williams in 2002. Jason Grilli tiedJim Johnson of theBaltimore Orioles,Sergio Romo of the San Francisco Giants andMariano Rivera of theNew York Yankees for the most saves in the MLB that month.[35] Grilli again was named the Delivery Man of the Month for May 2013.[36]
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Grilli was named to the 2013 National League All-Star team, and pitched the ninth inning of the2013 MLB All-Star Game. After giving up a leadoff triple toPrince Fielder, he retired the next three batters for a scoreless inning.[37] On July 22, Grilli became the first Pirate since 1992 to be on the cover ofSports Illustrated; in that night's game, he injured his forearm and was placed on the 15-day DL, another victim of the magazine'scover jinx.[38] His replacement at the closer position wasMark Melancon. Grilli was activated from the DL on September 3, resuming his role as closer. He helped the Pirates to the 2013 playoffs, the team's first postseason appearance since 1992. Grilli pitched a scoreless ninth inning in the Pirates win over theCincinnati Reds in the2013 National League Wild Card Game. He appeared in three games in the Pirates series loss to theSt. Louis Cardinals in the2013 National League Division Series. Grilli has not had a run charged against him in nine career playoff appearances spanning 61⁄3 innings.[39] In his 54 appearances in 2013, Grilli went 0–2 with a 2.70 ERA going 33 for 35 in save opportunities, striking out 74 in 50 innings.
In 2014, Grilli struggled with effectiveness and anoblique muscle injury.[40] He lost the closer role to Melancon.[41]
On June 27, 2014, Grilli was traded to theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim in exchange for relief pitcherErnesto Frieri.[42][43] Grilli's performance improved following the trade.[44]
On December 23, 2014, Grilli signed a two-year contract with theAtlanta Braves.[45][46] Grilli's original intended role was to serve asCraig Kimbrel's setup man in the eighth inning of games.[47] However, when Kimbrel was traded to theSan Diego Padres on the day before opening day of the 2015 season, April 5, Grilli had to assume the closer's role.[48] He had done well, earning 24 saves for the Braves during the first half of the season.[49] On July 11, in a game against theColorado Rockies, Grilli was covering first base on a ground ball when he tripped and ruptured his left Achilles, causing him to miss the rest of the season.[50]
On May 31, 2016, the Braves traded Grilli to theToronto Blue Jays for Sean Ratcliffe.[51] Grilli earned his first save as a Blue Jay on June 12, closing out a 10–9 win over the Baltimore Orioles.[52] On July 2, he recorded his first win as a Blue Jay in a 9–6 victory over theCleveland Indians.[53] In 42 regular season innings with the Blue Jays, Grilli posted a 6–4 record, 3.64 ERA, and 58 strikeouts. He made five appearances in the postseason, and allowed one hit in 32⁄3 total innings.[54] On November 5, 2016, the Blue Jays picked up Grilli's $3 million option for the 2017 season.[55] In a June 3, 2017, game against theNew York Yankees, Grilli gave up four home runs in a single inning of relief, becoming the first Blue Jays reliever to do so.[56] On June 27, Grilli was designated for assignment.[57]
On July 2, 2017, Grilli was traded to the Texas Rangers for minor league outfielder Eduard Pinto.[58] He became a free agent following the season.
Grilli's nickname isGrilled Cheese.[59] He is the son of former major-league pitcherSteve Grilli,[60] who pitched for parts of four seasons in the late 1970s, including three with the Detroit Tigers. Jason was born in theDetroit suburb ofRoyal Oak after his father's second season with the Tigers. His father is also known for being the losing pitcher for theRochester Red Wings in thelongest professional baseball game on June 23, 1981. Jason wore number 49 during his time with the Tigers in honor of his father, and the two spoke after every game in which Jason appeared.[61]
Grilli and his wife, Danielle Hurt, had their first child in February 2008. Although the Pittsburgh Pirates traded him on June 27, 2014, Grilli and his wife decided to continue living in Pittsburgh all year round. In December that year, they purchased a home for $1.6 million in the suburb of Pine Township.[62] Nearly one year after the trade, Grilli made his first appearance back at PNC Park, as a member of the Atlanta Braves. There he revealed to the Pittsburgh media his intention to continue residing in Pittsburgh.[63]
