Robbie Grossman
Grossman with the Braves in 2022
Free agent
Outfielder
Born: (1989-09-16) September 16, 1989
San Diego, California, U.S.
Bats: Switch
Throws: Left
MLB debut
April 24, 2013, for the Houston Astros
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Batting average.244
Home runs90
Runs batted in415
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Robert Edward Grossman (born September 16, 1989) is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros, Minnesota Twins, Oakland Athletics, Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves, and Texas Rangers. After attending high school in Texas, Grossman was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the sixth round in 2008. He made his MLB debut with the Astros in 2013. With the Rangers, he won the 2023 World Series over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Early life

Grossman was born in San Diego, California, but grew up in Cypress, Texas, where he played four seasons of varsity baseball at Cy-Fair High School between 2005 and 2008. He was a first-team all-district selection as a freshman. In his junior season, the team won the 5A state baseball championship. "He was fun to coach because he worked very hard at practice and looked like he was having the time of his life playing the game. We knew early on as a coaching staff that he was a special player," said a former high school coach, John Pope.[1]

Professional career

Minor leagues

Considered a possible first round pick, Grossman fell in the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft due to his commitment to attend the University of Texas. However, the Pirates selected Grossman in the sixth round of the draft and signed him for an above slot $1 million signing bonus.[2]

In 2010, Grossman played for the Bradenton Marauders of the High-A Florida State League (FSL). In 2011, again playing for the Marauders, Grossman became the first minor league player since Nick Swisher in 2004 to score 100 runs and walk 100 times in a season; he also became the first player in the FSL to do so since 1998.[3] He was named Minor League Player of the Year for the Pittsburgh organization.[4]

Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus ranked Grossman as the 76th best prospect in baseball before the 2012 season.[5] The Pirates invited Grossman to spring training in 2012. On July 24, 2012, the Pirates traded him to the Houston Astros along with Rudy Owens and Colton Cain for Wandy Rodríguez.[6] Between Pittsburgh's Double-A affiliate, the Altoona Curve of the Eastern League, and Houston's Double-A team, the Corpus Christi Hooks of the Texas League, Grossman hit .266 with 10 home runs in 131 games.[7]

Houston Astros

Grossman at spring training in 2015

The Astros promoted Grossman to the major leagues on April 24, 2013, he batted leadoff in his debut.[8] He split time that year between the Oklahoma City Redhawks of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League and the Astros.[7] At one point, Grossman hit safely in 13 consecutive games, a team high that year.[9]

Grossman played in 103 games for the Astros in 2014, hitting for a .233 batting average, six home runs and 37 runs batted in (RBI).[6]

After spending much of the 2015 season in the minors, he was released by the Astros after the 2015 season.[10]

Minnesota Twins

Grossman with the Twins in 2017

On December 11, 2015, Grossman signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians, receiving a non-roster invitation to spring training.[11] He opted out of his contract on May 16, 2016 and signed with the Minnesota Twins.[12] The Twins promoted him to the major leagues on May 19,[13][14] and he hit a home run in his first game with the Twins on May 20.[13] He split time among the outfield and DH. He appeared in 99 games for the Twins, setting career highs in home runs, average, walks and runs scored. In 2017, he established himself as a regular in the Twins’ lineup, playing in a career-high 119 games despite missing a few weeks with a thumb fracture, hitting .246 with 9 HR and 45 RBI.

In 2018, Grossman began the season as the Twins' designated hitter. He played in a career-high 129 games, hitting .273 with 5 home runs and 48 RBIs. On November 30, 2018, the Twins non-tendered him and he became a free agent.[15]

Oakland Athletics

On February 15, 2019, Grossman signed a one-year deal with the Oakland Athletics.[16] Grossman did not perform as he did the previous season, as he hit just .240 with 6 home runs and 38 RBI in 138 games.

Detroit Tigers

On January 5, 2021, Grossman signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Detroit Tigers.[17] On May 28, Grossman hit his first career walk-off home run against Justin Wilson to give the Tigers a 3–2 extra innings win over the New York Yankees.[18] While hitting .239 for the 2021 season, Grossman had a career-high 98 walks (fourth in the AL) for a solid .357 on-base percentage. He posted numerous other career highs, including at-bats (557), home runs (23), RBI (67) and stolen bases (20). He became the seventh player in Tigers franchise history to post a season of 20+ home runs and 20+ stolen bases.[19]

On May 10, 2022, Grossman set a new MLB all-time record for position players with 401 consecutive games without an error.[20] On July 10, Grossman’s errorless streak ended at 440, after he dropped a pop up off of the bat of Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert.[21] In 83 games with Detroit in 2022, Grossman hit .205/.313/.282 with 2 home runs, 23 RBI, and 3 stolen bases.

Atlanta Braves

On August 1, 2022, Grossman was traded to the Atlanta Braves for pitcher Kris Anglin.[22][23] He played in 46 games for the Braves down the stretch, batting .217/.306/.370 with 5 home runs, 22 RBI, and 3 stolen bases. He became a free agent following the season.

Texas Rangers

On February 17, 2023, Grossman signed a one-year contract with the Texas Rangers.[24] The Rangers entered the 2023 season with plans to use Grossman as the primary left fielder over Josh Smith and Brad Miller.[25]

References

  1. ↑ "Cy-Fair alum impressive in major league debut for Astros". Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District. April 26, 2013. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Bob Smizik Sports Blog - Pittsburgh Post Gazette". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  3. ↑ Vukovcan, Mike (August 19, 2011). "Robbie Grossman: 100/100 Club".
  4. ↑ McTaggart, Brian (March 9, 2014). "Grossman looks to prove worthy of everyday role". MLB.com. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Baseball Prospectus - Future Shock: Top 101 Prospects". Baseball Prospectus. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  6. 1 2 "Robbie Grossman Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  7. 1 2 "Robbie Grossman Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Robbie Grossman lives out lifelong dream". Ultimate Astros. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Astros A to Z: Robbie Grossman". Houston Chronicle. March 7, 2015. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  10. ↑ Ryan Dunsmore (November 19, 2015). "Astros trade Jonathan Villar to Brewers for pitcher Cy Sneed; release Cruz and Grossman". The Crawfish Boxes. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Cleveland Indians sign outfielder Robbie Grossman to minor league deal with spring training invite". cleveland.com. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  12. ↑ Adams, Steve (May 16, 2016). "Robbie Grossman Opts Out Of Minors Deal With Indians". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  13. 1 2 Fox Sports. "Minnesota Twins' Robbie Grossman shines in 9-3 loss to Toronto Blue Jays". FOX Sports. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  14. ↑ "MLB report: Twins call up ex-Astro Robbie Grossman". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Twins non-tender outfielder Robbie Grossman". FOX Sports. November 30, 2018. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
  16. ↑ Lee, Jane (February 15, 2019). "A's add veteran Grossman to outfield mix". MLB.com. MLB. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  17. ↑ Beck, Jason (January 5, 2021). "Tigers sign Grossman to 2-year deal". MLB.com. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  18. ↑ Megan, Garcia (May 28, 2021). "Robbie hits 1st walk-off HR ... off old roomie!". MLB.com. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  19. ↑ McCosky, Chris (October 2, 2021). "Tigers' Robbie Grossman caps career year by gaining entry to 20-20 club". The Detroit News. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  20. ↑ Woodbery, CEvan (May 10, 2022). "Tigers' Robbie Grossman sets an incredible record that he'd rather not talk about". mlive.com. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  21. ↑ "Longest errorless streak by position player in history ends". mlb.com. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  22. ↑ Bowman, Mark (August 1, 2022). "Busy Braves acquire Grossman, set to land Odorizzi (source)". MLB.com. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  23. ↑ "Atlanta Braves add outfielder Robbie Grossman, close in on right-hander Jake Odorizzi". ESPN.com. August 1, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  24. ↑ "Rangers agree to terms with OF Robbie Grossman on one-year contract". MLB.com. February 17, 2023. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Rangers' Robbie Grossman: Will be primary LF to open year". cbssports.com. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
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