Interview with Cardinals Outfield Prospect Randal Grichuk

Shortly after the Cardinals fell to the Red Sox in the World Series (sigh), the front office got to work. Mozeliak's first move of many this off-season consisted of trading 2011 World Series hero, David Freese, and Fernando Salas to the Angels for Peter Bourjos and some guy named Randal Grichuk. Well, this "guy" has the potential to become an impact outfield bat for the Cardinals in the future. Right now, Grichuk projects as a corner outfielder, and his home run power fits either one of those positions very well. However, if he proves to be a viable center fielder, his value to the organization will skyrocket. As you will read in the interview below, Grichuk says he is able to play center, so I look forward to tracking his progress at the position this season.

Player Profile:

• Bats: Right
• Throws: Right
• Height: 6'1"
• Weight: 195 pounds
• Born: August 13, 1991 (Age 22)
• High School: Lamar Consolidated HS (Rosenberg, TX)
• Acquired: Via trade with Bourjos for Freese, Salas

Interview:

Viva El Birdos: How do you pronounce your last name? Also, more importantly, how do you think Mike Shannon (radio voice of the Cardinals) will pronounce it once you make it to St. Louis?

Randal Grichuk: He will pronounce it one of the hundred different ways I have heard it over the years, lol.

Editor's Note: Hmm...we still don't know how to pronounce his name, though?!

VEB: What’s the reasoning behind why children love Cinnamon Toast Crunch?

RG: Because it’s simply the best cereal on the market.

VEB: What makes your chest so appealing to jaguars? Did you get to keep the jaguar? If not, what would you name him/her?

RG: My cologne is what makes my chest so appealing to jaguars, lol. No, I did not get to keep the jaguar. The cruise ship would not allow it onboard. I would probably name her BEAST because that jaguar was very muscular.

VEB: What was it like meeting Dirk Nowitzki? Did he give you any advice on what it takes to be successful in professional sports?

RG: It was legit. He is one of the best basketball players in the game today. No, we didn’t talk about stuff like that.

VEB: What are three things you just cannot live without?

RG: Netflix, my phone, food.

VEB: We really enjoyed your chiming in at Jason Parks on Twitter. Do you regularly keep up with what the prospect evaluators write about you?

RG: Thank you, I was just having fun! And no, not at all. A buddy sent me a picture of the question and answer, so I thought I would have a little fun and answer the guy. I don’t keep up with what any prospect evaluators say about me or my game unless someone points it out to me. At the end of the day, it's about what you do on the field, not what people think you can or can’t do on the field. If someone points it out, I just use it as motivation.

VEB: Who is one player (past or present) you would most compare your game to?

RG: I try not to compare my game to anyone else, but I have heard people compare me to Ryan Braun.

VEB: All right, let’s set this straight: can you play center field at the next level? Why or why not?

RG: I think I can! Lol. I get good jumps and have good enough speed to cover the gaps. I have played some center the last two years and feel good out there.

Editor's Note: Both Hammons Field (Springfield) and Autozone Park (Memphis) have pretty spacious outfields, so we will find out the answer to this question very soon.

VEB: Who is one coach in the Angels system that helped you the most?

RG: Honestly there were so many coaches in the Angels system that helped me out over the years I was with them. I can’t single any of them out. I was very blessed to work with the instructors they had.

VEB: How long did it take for your wrist to be as strong as before you broke it?

RG: I hurt it in the 2010 season, but it was good to go by the next season!

VEB: Is taking more walks something you would like to do, or is an aggressive approach at the plate so key to your success that it’s not worth trying to improve in the area of walks?

RG: You always want to work on plate discipline. I wouldn’t say "work on taking more walks" because that’s out of your control. I would love to improve my plate discipline and get my walks up because that leads to a higher OBP.

VEB: Which players/coaches on the Cardinals have reached out to you most since the trade?

RG: A lot of coaches, personnel, and players have reached out to me since the trade welcoming me to the organization.

VEB: How do you plan on moving up the depth chart in this pool of Cardinal outfielders?

RG: I plan on going out there and playing 100% and hope that leads to me moving up in the depth chart.

VEB: Let’s project a little bit. When the 2014 season is complete, what will you have accomplished?

RG: After the 2014 season, I hope to have accomplished a good season and a promotion.

We thank Randal for taking the time to do this interview with Viva El Birdos and wish him the best in 2014 and beyond. We look forward to seeing his power bat flourish down on the farm and hope to see him launching moonshots into Big Mac Land very soon.