Robbie Grossman

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Houston Astros #17 prospect in 2013
  Signed for $1 million by the Pirates in 2008, Grossman led the minors with 127 runs and 104 walks three years later. He became the first minor leaguer to reach triple digits in both categories in the same season since Nick Swisher in 2004, and finally established himself as one of Pittsburgh's top prospects. With the Pirates chasing a playoff spot last July, they packaged him and minor league lefties Colton Cain and Rudy Owens to acquire Wandy Rodriguez. Grossman took a step back in his 2012 performance, with his power numbers, walk rate and stolen-base efficiency all dipping, but did claim a spot on the Astros' 40-man roster in November. Grossman never has had a standout tool, with his on-base ability his strongest attribute. From either side of the plate, his power comes mostly to the gaps, and profiles better if he can handle center field. He takes good routes and is a solid defender in center, but he lacks the prototypical plus speed for the spot. He's more of an average runner who lacks the first-step burst to be a big stolen-base threat. His arm is average. Grossman's profile screams fourth outfielder, but center field is wide open in Houston. He could win the job with a strong spring.
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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #8 prospect in 2012
  Grossman appeared headed to the University of Texas until the Pirates enticed him to sign for $1 million as a sixth-round pick in 2008. He had only sporadic success before 2011, when he repeated high Class A and led the minors with 104 walks and 127 runs. He was the first minor leaguer to reach triple digits in both categories in the same season since Nick Swisher in 2004. Grossman took off after he improved his selectivity at the plate, putting him in hitter's counts where he can do damage. He hit 13 homers after totaling just nine in his first two full pro seasons, and 11 of those came from the left side of the plate--from which he didn't start hitting until he was a high school senior. Despite his breakthrough, many scouts still are skeptical as to whether he can become a plus hitter for average or power at the major league level. He has slightly above-average speed and even better instincts on the bases. Though he has played some center field in the minors, he spent most of 2011 in right field, where he showed average range and arm strength. Grossman still has to prove his breakout wasn't the result of repeating a level, and many scouts see him as more of a tweener than an everyday big leaguer in center or right field. He did tear up the Arizona Fall League, finishing first in walks (20) and second in homers (seven) before fracturing the hamate bone in his right hand. The injury could hamper him in 2012, when he'll head to Double-A once he's ready.
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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #25 prospect in 2011
  Was Grossman's second full season a disappointment or not? That's the question the Pirates were asking themselves, and there were no easy answers. On one hand, he survived what the team felt was an aggressive placement in high Class A at age 20, and he was a mainstay for a Bradenton team that made the playoffs despite a rash of injuries. On the other, he struck out too often, stole only 15 of 23 bases and showed little offensive versatility when other things failed, notably bunting for a hit. Pittsburgh signed Grossman away from a Texas scholarship in 2008, giving him a $1 million bonus and viewing him as a top-of-the-order threat. But he has not produced enough with the bat so far. He's a switch-hitter who makes better contact from the right side and swings and misses a lot from the left. He has raw power, including gap to gap, from both sides of the plate. But his selectivity needs to improve, as he often dug two-strike holes for himself. He has enough speed to play center field at least on occasion, but the Pirates have used him mostly in left, which is a better fit not only for his above-average speed (PNC Park's left field is huge) but also for a below-average arm. Some scouts think he should rework or scrap his lefthanded swing, and worry that he has no premium tool that can carry him to the big leagues. Grossman will probably repeat high Class A in an effort to get his bat going.
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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #18 prospect in 2010
  After a disappointing senior season, Grossman dropped to the sixth round of the 2008 draft and appeared to be a lock to play college ball at Texas. But the Pirates won that recruiting war after inviting him to PNC Park for a private workout and offering him a $1 million bonus. Pittsburgh aggressively pushed Grossman to low Class A last season, though he had just 16 Rookie-ball at-bats in his pro debut. He did a decent job, with the exception of striking out 164 times. His good eye, patience and slightly above-average speed make him a potential top-of-the- order hitter if he can make more contact. He also shows flashes of power and could develop more pop as his body matures. Grossman gets into trouble by being too selective at times, especially in two-strike counts. He's an above-average outfielder with a playable arm. While he can play center field, he projects as more of a corner guy in the major leagues. Grossman wins high marks for his baseball IQ and is the type of player who figures to get the most of his ability. He'll move up to high Class A this season and is on track to reach the majors by the end of 2012.
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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #10 prospect in 2009
  After leading Cy-Fair High to the Texas state 5-A title, topping the U.S. junior national team in hitting (.450) and excelling on the showcase circuit in 2007, Grossman looked like a potential first-round pick. He dropped to the sixth round last June after he committed to Texas and didn't have as strong a senior season. The Pirates loved his athleticism and signed him for $1 million. Grossman has good gap power from both sides of the plate and knows how to turn on a pitch, especially as a lefthanded hitter. He impressed Pirates scouts by homering over the right-field bleachers at PNC Park during a workout last summer. He's also willing to take a walk when he's pitched around. Grossman has good instincts on the bases and in the field and shows enough range to play center field, though he isn't a burner. Whether Grossman can be a long-term center fielder is in question after he lost a step between his junior and senior seasons, with his plus speed becoming average. He has a below-average arm, which means he would have to go to left field if he can't stick in center. With a good showing in spring training, Grossman could begin his first full season at Pittsburgh's new low Class A West Virginia affiliate. He reminds some scouts of center fielder Nate McLouth, who made the all-star team and won a Gold Glove in his first full season as a Pirates starter.

• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: Grossman appeared headed to the University of Texas until the Pirates enticed him to sign for $1 million as a sixth-round pick in 2008. He had only sporadic success before 2011, when he repeated high Class A and led the minors with 104 walks and 127 runs. He was the first minor leaguer to reach triple digits in both categories in the same season since Nick Swisher in 2004. Scouting Report: Grossman took off after he improved his selectivity at the plate, putting him in hitter's counts where he can do damage. He hit 13 homers after totaling just nine in his first two full pro seasons, and 11 of those came from the left side of the plate--from which he didn't start hitting until he was a high school senior. He has slightly above-average speed and even better instincts on the bases. Though he has played some center field in the minors, he spent most of 2011 in right field, where he showed average range and arm strength. The Future: Grossman still has to prove his breakout wasn't the result of repeating a level, and many scouts see him as more of a tweener than an everyday big leaguer in center or right field. He did tear up the Arizona Fall League, however, and the picture should become clearer when he moves to Double-A in 2012.
• December, 2009 Scouting Report
  After a disappointing senior season, Grossman dropped to the sixth round of the 2008 draft and appeared to be a lock to play college ball at Texas. But the Pirates won that recruiting war after inviting him to PNC Park for a private workout and offering him a $1 million bonus. Pittsburgh aggressively pushed Grossman to low Class A last season, though he had just 16 Rookie-ball at-bats in his pro debut. He did a decent job, with the exception of striking out 164 times. His good eye, patience and slightly above-average speed make him a potential top-of-the- order hitter if he can make more contact. He also shows flashes of power and could develop more pop as his body matures. Grossman gets into trouble by being too selective at times, especially in two-strike counts. He's an above-average outfielder with a playable arm. While he can play center field, he projects as more of a corner guy in the major leagues. Grossman wins high marks for his baseball IQ and is the type of player who figures to get the most of his ability. He'll move up to high Class A this season and is on track to reach the majors by the end of 2012.