The Milwaukee Brewers have been snakebitten by injury at pretty much every position. It’s no different in the outfield. The Brewers also could use some production from the outfield at a few spots.
Also, what seems like a problem for some time, is the Brewers’ offense struggles vs. Southpaw hurlers. Should the Brewers make a move for an outfielder? If so, who? Enter Randal Grichuk.
Should the Brewers Trade for Rockies OF Randal Grichuk?
What RanGrichuk provides
Grichuk doesn’t even play every day for the Colorado Rockies due to a logjam in the outfield in Mile High. He has always kind of been a fourth outfielder. However, I think Grichuk could be another stealthy addition by the Brewers.
One of my top targets for the Brewers at the deadline.
Randal Grichuk.
Good against LHP, not bad against RHP. pic.twitter.com/lkTPJ5wonM
— Pitchers⚾️ & Pitchers🍺 (@BrewersOfMKE) July 3, 2023
Grichuk would be a boost vs. left-handed pitching, which the Brewers are the worst in MLB hitting. Also, there really is no commitment, as Grichuk is a free agent at season’s end. The cost shouldn’t be too much other than a middle-of-the-pack top-30 prospect, if that.
Oddly enough, Grichuk hasn’t found his power stroke this season until recently. He had over 150 at-bats and just one homer, but he has hit three since June 21, including two in his last three games. Grichuk has hit for average, hitting nearly .300 at .294, has 16 doubles, four homers, 20 RBI and 30 runs scored with a .353 on-base percentage and a 797 OPS.
While Grichuk hadn’t found his power stroke much of 2023, he has pop. And he seems to be starting to find that stroke in July. Grichuk has belted 178 career home runs, including a career-high 31 homers in 2019, and has five seasons with over 20 homers. Grichuk is definitely capable of finding his power stroke and has proven to be a power bat.
Also, in his career, he has been a better hitter in the second half of seasons than the first, particularly in August.
Randal Grichuk’s 2nd homer of the year (+375) adds to Colorado’s lead 🚀
🎥: @Rockies | #Rockies pic.twitter.com/zKp6Sgxdbk
— bet365 US (@bet365_us) June 21, 2023
A Banged-Up Outfield Needs a Boost vs. LHP
I know entering the year, the Brewers had a glutton of OFs, but with injuries, Craig Counsell has been forced to mix and match. Having a player who can hit LHP and has versatility in the outfield to play all three positions would be valuable. Plus, Grichuk has a track record of production, and the Crew could use some consistent production in the outfield.
Against LHP, Grichuk has hit two of his homers in just 59 at-bats and boasts a .878 OPS this season and has an OPS over .800 vs. LHP in his career. In his career, he has hit RHP at just .244 but hits LHP at .263. Given the Brewers’ struggles vs. LHP, another option to do damage against southpaws would be welcome. When healthy, Tyrone Taylor or Grichuk could DH with the other playing RF.
#Rockies C.J. Cron and Randal Grichuk showcase power and could attract Trade Deadline interesthttps://t.co/d6rwE1fCQe
— Thomas Harding (@harding_at_mlb) July 6, 2023
Bottom line
The Brewers don’t have many bats producing up to snuff. While Grichuk isn’t a game-changer, he would be a solid addition to the Brewers’ outfield. I like Tyrone Taylor, but Grichuk would be an improvement as a fourth outfielder.
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