February 1, 2020

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Randal Grichuk has flaws, but he’s a relatively inexpensive source of power who had career highs in home runs (31), RBI (80), and at-bats (586) in 2019. He doesn’t walk enough (5.6% BB rate) and strikes out too much (26.0% K rate), and that undisciplined approach, coupled with a career-low .266 batting average on balls in play, contributed to a career-low .232 batting average last season. The issue of plate discipline isn't likely to go away, and that has a negative impact on his batting average. However, Grichuk could get better results on balls in play, which could at least result in some improvement in that category. That will require better quality contact because last season’s 8.5 barrel% was a career-low and well below Grichuk's career mark of 12.6%. The main reason for the increase in Grichuk’s power numbers last season was that he was given a chance as an everyday player, which makes him more valuable. He also plays in a hitter-friendly park and typically hits in the middle of a productive young lineup. A notoriously slow starter throughout his career, who has a .716 OPS in the first half and .843 OPS in the second half, owning Grichuk typically requires patience. Ultimately his power numbers make him worth a look after the first 250 names are off the board.--Scott Cullen