Anfernee Grier

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #31 prospect in 2018
  After the D-backs punted their first rounder in order to sign Zack Greinke, Grier was their top pick at No. 39 overall in 2016. At Auburn, the D-backs saw an explosive athlete with a broad collection of tools, a player they believed could hit for power, steal bases and stick in center field. His first full pro season, however, did little to validate that belief. Grier did not show the same impact in his swing that he had in college, raising questions about his standing as a prospect. Scouts also questioned his ability to stick in center, saying his jumps and routes were not consistent, though he does have an above-average arm. Still, there were positives in 2017. He controlled the zone well and logged a healthy 10.6 percent walk rate. He cut his strikeout rate to 20.8 percent from 28 percent in his debut. He also stole 30 bases in 41 attempts. Changes to his load and stance in instructional league got him closer to the way he hit in college, providing some hope he can rediscover his missing pop in 2018.
• 
  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #6 prospect in 2017
  Grier was Arizona's top pick at No. 39 overall in 2016 after the Diamondbacks forfeited their first-round selection by signing Zack Greinke. Grier signed for $1.5 million. A breakout season his sophomore year at Auburn originally put Grier on draft watch lists, and he improved his stock as a junior when he hit .366/.457/.576 with a team-leading 12 home runs. A shoulder injury suffered during a pre-draft workout limited Grier mostly to a DH role in his pro debut. While he struggled at the plate in his pro debut, Grier has a good feel to hit with sneaky power that should come out with more strength, making him a possibly average hitter with average power potential down the road. The ball comes off his bat well, but he struggles with breaking pitches from righthanders. A 28 percent strikeout rate in his pro debut, similar to his college total, raises concerns about Grier's approach at the plate, and he will need to make better contact to use his plus speed. Scouts graded him as a plus defender in college, with his slightly below-average arm being enough for center field. Grier should be fully recovered from his shoulder injury by spring training and ready for a full-season assignment to low Class A Kane County.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #49 prospect in 2016 draft
  After a quiet freshman year at Auburn, Grier, the son of former Cardinals farm hand Antron, broke out last spring, leading the team in hitting (.323) and runs (41). His performance landed him a spot on USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team, but his playing time in the summer was limited due to illness. Grier has continued his strong performance at the plate this spring, and his average was hovering around .400 at the end of April, to go with nine home runs and 16 stolen bases. Grier has an impressive set of tools. He has above-average raw power, and does a good job of getting to it when he turns on pitches. He has plus speed, which plays well both on the base paths and in the outfield, where he is a plus defender. He has fringy arm strength, but tracks down balls well and profiles as a center fielder. For all of Grier's production and raw tools, however, he can be pitched to. He struggles to recognize off-speed pitches, a hole Southeastern Conference pitchers have been able to take advantage of this spring. In SEC play, his numbers dip precipitously, particularly his slugging percentage, which is 130 points lower than his overall numbers. Still, with his enticing package of athleticism and tools, a team will likely take a chance on Grier on the first day of the draft. He should easily better both his 39th-round selection by the Tigers in 2013 and his father's sixth-round pick in 1987.
• Ranked #379 prospect in 2013 draft
  Scouts like Grier's above-average athletic ability and potential as a center fielder, though he's seen as a tweener by many clubs. He has above-average speed and figures to cover plenty of ground in center field, where his above-average arm will be an asset. He's a high school shortstop with good bat speed who needs to improve his pitch recognition and raw plate approach. He's young for the draft class and has not yet added much strength to his 6-foot, 175-pound frame. Grier is committed to Auburn.

• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: Grier was Arizona's top pick at No. 39 overall in 2016 after the Diamondbacks forfeited their first-round selection by signing Zack Greinke. Grier signed for $1.5 million. A breakout season his sophomore year at Auburn originally moved Grier up draft watch lists, and he improved his stock as a junior when he hit .366/.457/.576 with a team-leading 12 home runs. A shoulder injury suffered during a pre-draft workout limited Grier mostly to a DH role in his pro debut. Scouting Report: While he struggled at the plate in his pro debut, Grier has a good feel to hit with sneaky power that should come out with more strength, making him a possibly average hitter with average power potential down the road. The ball comes off his bat well, but he struggles with breaking pitches from righthanders. A 28 percent strikeout rate in his pro debut, similar to his college total, raises concerns about Grier's approach at the plate, and he will need to make better contact to use his plus speed. Scouts graded him as a plus defender in college, with his slightly below-average arm being enough for center field.
  
  The Future: Grier should be fully recovered from his shoulder injury by spring training and ready for a full-season assignment to low Class A Kane County.