| Player: Trent Grindlinger | |||||||||||
| School: Tennessee | Position(s): C/1B | ||||||||||
| Height: 6’3″ | Weight: 210 lbs. | Bats: Right | Throws: Right | ||||||||
| Summary: 2027 should be the second straight year we hear a Grindlinger’s name called at the MLB draft. Trent, the older brother of Jared, is a draft eligible sophomore who made an impact in Knoxville after forgoing the 2025 draft. He’s a physical backstop with projectible raw power. He collected 8 HR’s for the Vols in 2026, a number expected to rise in year two. He does not sacrifice overall contact rate with that power. Grindlinger demonstrates above average bat to ball skill, especially for a player of his stature. He has an aggressive approach, accumulating only 13 BB’s in 2026, however he minimized strikeouts over the same period (28). He sets up with a slightly open stance and hands slotted high. The leg kick is also on the higher side though gets down timely. The bat speed is elite with the barrell working through the zone for a long time. He works to all fields and does so with authority, flashing exit velo’s north of 110 mph. At this point he is competent behind the dish. With average arm strength, blocking, and receiving skills there is room to improve defensively. He does move well for his size and shows athleticism. Grindlinger could certainly see furture time at 1B or even a corner outfield spot. Given the hit-tool and power potential finding his way into a lineup, no matter the postition, shouldn’t be an issue. It’s early, but all signs point to Day 1 pick, potentially a top half of the 1st round type pick. | |||||||||||
Eric Dillinger is currently the Head Baseball Coach at Erie High School, entering his 4th season as the Head Coach and 9th season overall. Dillinger was the pitching coach at Erie prior to becoming head coach. At the club level, he has coached nationally for multiple organizations including the Colorado Yard Dawgs, the Colorado Rockies Scout program, and USA Prime. Dillinger is also currently the General Manager for D-BAT NW Denver. In addition to his duties as GM, he is also a senior pitching instructor. He is certified in Rapsodo Pitching and is also Driveline Certified (Pitch Design). Beyond coaching on the field, Dillinger enjoys helping athletes in the recruiting process. He has helped over 40 athletes find homes at the next level.
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