Baltimore Orioles Prospect Cadyn Grenier Primed For A Bounce-Back In 2020

Baltimore Orioles middle infield prospect Cadyn Grenier struggled upon moving up a level in 2019.  He is ready, however, for a bounce-back season in 2020.

Drafted 37th overall (CBA Round) in the 2018 MLB Draft, infielder Cadyn Grenier entered the Baltimore Orioles organization as a champion; his Oregon State University Beavers had just won the NCAA College World Series (a team that also featured future 2019 first overall pick, Adley Rutschman).  He also arrived with a reputation for superior defensive ability; he was the Brooks Wallace Award winner as the nation’s top shortstop.

Despite finishing the 2018 NCAA season with a slash line of .319/ .408/ .462, Grenier was seen as having a questionable bat when he entered the professional ranks.  The Orioles assigned him to Delmarva (A-Low), bypassing Aberdeen (A-Short), which is the usual stop for collegiate draftees, where he hit .216/ .297/ .333 with 23 runs scored, one home run and 13 RBI over 43 games for the Shorebirds.  To be fair, the drop in hitting could have been attributed to several factors, one being the switch from BBCOR bats to wooden bats and the other being the fact that Grenier played a combined total of 111 games (NCAA and professional) during the season.

Grenier returned to Delmarva to begin the 2019 season and seemed to have made adjustments to professional pitching as his numbers rose to a respectable .253/ .360/ .399 with 49 runs scored, seven home runs and 39 RBI in 82 games (an increase in wRC+ from 84 to 125).  Those numbers earned him a promotion to Frederick (A-Adv.) in July.

As many players do, Grenier struggled with the move up one level.  He finished his season with the Keys by hitting .208/ .337/ .325 over 24 games.  He did have injury issues in Frederick which could have factored into the drop in batting numbers.  Grenier was shut down for the year on August 21st due to a pulled oblique muscle.

Stepping back to look at the 2019 season in totality gives me reason to opine that Grenier is due for a bounce-back season in 2020.  For one, I expect him to be fully healed from the oblique injury which alone should lead to improved numbers.  Secondly, he has improved previously with a return to the same level; I see him returning to Frederick in 2020 where the familiarity with the Carolina League will be beneficial, thus leading to improved numbers as well.

Grenier’s pedigree is one of a winner.  That alone should help him improve as he climbs the organizational ladder in Baltimore.  The heart of a champion forms the foundation for everything else; knowing what it takes to win on the big stage will keep him striving and working towards improved performance in all aspects of his game.

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I also believe that a second season under the system that General Manager Mike Elias has put into place in the minor league system will help Grenier.  A simple reduction in his rising strikeout rate (29% with Delmarva in 2018 to 33.7% with Frederick in 2019) should lead to improvements.  Patience at the plate is always helpful and I am sure that is on the radar to be worked on in 2020.  The Orioles use of advanced technology should lead to a better season for the 23-year-old infielder.

Grenier’s glove, range and career .981 fielding percentage at 2B should keep him in the conversation as a prospect for the Orioles and possible future middle-infielder in Baltimore.  Currently ranked as the Orioles’ #22 prospect by MLB Pipeline, Grenier’s offensive improvement will mean the difference between his being a utility player or an everyday player in the major leagues.

Another positive that I see is that Grenier’s glove and defense have not suffered as he has struggled at the plate.  His ability to compartmentalize offense from defense will allow him to maintain success as he works on his plate approach and discipline.

I firmly believe that a bounce-back 2020 season is in the cards for Grenier.  Stay tuned to Birds Watcher as we follow and report on the prospects in the Baltimore Orioles system all year long.