FanPost

Robbie Grossman


When the Pirates drafted Robbie Grossman and then signed him to $1m signing bonus I was very happy. I thought he was a steal in the 6th round and loved the Pirates aggresviness in getting him. Needless to say up until this year I was pretty disappointed. The Pirates moved him along quickly playing in West Virginia in his first full pro season at 19 years old.

I attributed his 164 strikeouts in 2009 to being too young. But he struck out 118 times last year with only four home runs. So between West Virginia and Bradenton he had 921 at bats, 9 home runs and 282 strikeouts. He did walk 141 times but when you are striking out that much it doesn't mean much.

This year he had a resurgence of sort. While repeating High A he is hitting .284/.414/.399 with 59 strikeouts and 61 walks. While the strikeouts are still too high he has cut down to only 13 strikeouts in 86 at bats in June. Not to mention he has 26 walks in the month. I think he has started to put it all together. He isn't ever going to hit a ton of home runs but he is start to resemble a very, very good leadoff hitter.

He may get a taste of AA towards the end of the year but I really wouldn't rush him. I think that Grossman has worked his way back into the Top 10 Prospects category for the Buccos.

BTW, he is 1 for 1 tonight with a home run and 3 walks.

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