Minnesota Twins: Make or break year for Robbie Grossman

We’re only days away from the Minnesota Twins opening up Spring Training. We will surely see some new faces in the Twin Cities, but today we’re going to focus on a familiar face.

Minnesota Twins OF/DH Robbie Grossman has had to work his tail off to this point in his career, and this season will be no different. Grossman will have to rebound from a disappointing 2017 season to be in the future plans of this organization.

The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted Grossman in the 6th round of the 2008 draft and he excelled in the Minor Leagues. When the Pirates acquired Wandy Rodriguez from the Houston Astros, Grossman was a big part of the package Pittsburgh parted with.

Grossman played 190 games for Houston and hit .242 with only 11 home runs. However, he did have a .327 on base percentage but that wasn’t enough for Houston to hold on to him. The Cleveland Indians signed Grossman as a free agent in December of 2015. However, barely more than five months later, Grossman was released by the Indians and found his way to the Minnesota Twins.

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Grossman…the Twins years

Grossman had 389 plate appearances for the Twins during the ’15 season and he enjoyed a career year. He hit .280 with a tremendous .386 on base percentage drawing 55 walks during his breakout season. The Minnesota Twins stumbled into Grossman just as it seemed he was figuring things out.

However, in 2017 Grossman regressed back into the player he has been consistently throughout his career. He hit .246 over 456 plate appearances and contributed only nine home runs. However, Grossman continues to show growth in regards to plate discipline. He cut his strikeouts from 96 in 2016 to only 67 during the ’17 season. Grossman has the look of a hitter who is putting it all together and the Minnesota Twins will need that this season.

The Minnesota Twins have high hopes for the 2018 season and Grossman will certainly play his role. The Twins will need Grossman to recapture his 2016 magic to win the American League Central division crown in 2018.

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