Jason Grilli
Encyclopedia
Jason Michael Grilli is an Italian
-American
professional baseball
pitcher
for the Pittsburgh Pirates
of Major League Baseball
. He has previously played for the Florida Marlins
, Chicago White Sox
, Detroit Tigers
, Colorado Rockies
, and Texas Rangers
.
, Grilli was drafted in the 24th round of the 1994 Major League Baseball Draft
by the New York Yankees
, but chose not to sign. Instead, he opted to played college baseball at Seton Hall University
, which he attended from –.
While at Seton Hall, Grilli once struck out 18 batters in a game to break Charles Nagy
's Big East record. Grilli was drafted in the first round, fourth overall, of the 1997 Major League Baseball Draft
by the San Francisco Giants
.
and the Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies
of the Pacific Coast League
. In 21 games for the Captains, Grilli went 7–10 with a 3.79 ERA
with 100 strikeouts in 123⅓ innings pitched
. With the Grizzlies Grilli went 2–3 with a 5.14 ERA in eight games, all starts.
In , Grilli was a key component of a midseason trade that brought Liván Hernández
to the San Francisco Giants
, and sent Grilli and pitcher Nate Bump
to the Florida Marlins
.
Grilli pitched mostly all of 2003 with the Albuquerque Isotopes
.
Grilli spent with the Chicago White Sox
organization after being selected in the Rule 5 draft
. In , he signed a minor league
contract with the Detroit Tigers. After helping the Triple-A affiliate Toledo Mud Hens
to a league championship (he clinched the championship game), he joined the parent club for a late-season audition.
Grilli pitched for Team Italy in the 2006 World Baseball Classic
. He also had a good spring training
and earned a spot in the Tigers bullpen as a long reliever
, leading to his first extended stint in the majors.
In , Grilli posted career highs in almost every category, including games (57), innings (79⅔), strikeouts (62), wins (5), and holds (11). However, Grilli heard boos at Comerica Park
during the season, mostly due to his home ERA of 7.96. He was much more effective away from home, posting a 1.91 ERA in road games. Tigers manager Jim Leyland
defended Grilli: "I like Grilli because he's got a resilient arm...There's a lot to be said for that."
On April 30, , Grilli was traded to the Colorado Rockies
for reliever Zachary Simons. This move was made to clear a roster spot for incoming reliever Francisco Cruceta
.
In January , Grilli announced that he would again pitch for Team Italy in the 2009 World Baseball Classic
.
On June 5, 2009, Grilli was designated for assignment
by the Rockies.
with an invite to Spring Training. Grilli suffered a severe knee injury in spring training and would miss the entire 2010 season. Grilli filed for free agency on November 6, 2010.
. He pitched for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs
, posting a 1.93 ERA in 32 1/3 innings, before being released on July 20.
on July 21, 2011.
, who pitched for parts of four seasons in the late 1970s, including three with the Detroit Tigers. His dad is also known for being the losing pitcher for the Rochester Red Wings
in the longest professional baseball game
on June 23, 1981. He wears number 49 in honor of his father, and the two still talk after every game in which Jason makes an appearance. Grilli is also the cousin of James and Michael Marcou, hockey
players for the UMass Minutemen
.
Grilli and his wife, Danielle Hurt, welcomed their first child, in February, 2008. The couple reside in Orlando, Florida
during the offseason.
Grilli runs a company called Perfect Pitch Marketing which sells videophones and other consumer telecommunications equipment through Rochester-based 5LINX
. He discusses this business venture in an interview with Jimmy Scott.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
-American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. He has previously played for the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
, Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
, Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
, and Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
.
Amateur career
Following his high school career at Baker High School in Baldwinsville, New YorkBaldwinsville, New York
Baldwinsville is a village in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 7,053 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Syracuse Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, Grilli was drafted in the 24th round of the 1994 Major League Baseball Draft
1994 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1994 Major League Baseball draft.-Compensation picks:-Other notable players:*A.J. Pierzynski , Minnesota Twins, 3rd round*Bobby Howry , San Francisco Giants, 5th round...
by the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, but chose not to sign. Instead, he opted to played college baseball at Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University
Seton Hall University is a private Roman Catholic university in South Orange, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 1856 by Archbishop James Roosevelt Bayley, Seton Hall is the oldest diocesan university in the United States. Seton Hall is also the oldest and largest Catholic university in the...
, which he attended from –.
While at Seton Hall, Grilli once struck out 18 batters in a game to break Charles Nagy
Charles Nagy
Charles Harrison Nagy is an American former Major League Baseball All-Star right-handed pitcher who played for 14 seasons in the major leagues from to , mostly with the Cleveland Indians, and currently serves as the pitching coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks.-Early life and amateur career:Nagy...
's Big East record. Grilli was drafted in the first round, fourth overall, of the 1997 Major League Baseball Draft
1997 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1997 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, was held on June 2 and 3, 1997...
by the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
.
Professional career
Grilli began his professional career in with the Double-A Shreveport Captains of the Texas LeagueTexas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
and the Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies
Fresno Grizzlies
The Fresno Grizzlies are a minor league baseball team based in Fresno, California. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League , is the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants major league club. The Grizzlies play in Chukchansi Park , located in downtown Fresno and built in 2002...
of the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
. In 21 games for the Captains, Grilli went 7–10 with a 3.79 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
with 100 strikeouts in 123⅓ innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
. With the Grizzlies Grilli went 2–3 with a 5.14 ERA in eight games, all starts.
In , Grilli was a key component of a midseason trade that brought Liván Hernández
Liván Hernández
Eisler Liván Hernández Carrera is a Cuban professional baseball pitcher. He is the half-brother of pitcher Orlando "El Duque" Hernández.-Playing career:...
to the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
, and sent Grilli and pitcher Nate Bump
Nate Bump
Nathan Louis Bump is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher who currently plays for the Philadelphia Phillies organization and currently assigned to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs He was drafted by the Giants in the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft as the 25th overall pick from Penn State...
to the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
.
Grilli pitched mostly all of 2003 with the Albuquerque Isotopes
Albuquerque Isotopes
The Albuquerque Isotopes are a minor league baseball team based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers...
.
Grilli spent with the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
organization after being selected in the Rule 5 draft
Rule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
. In , he signed a minor league
Minor league
Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities. This term is used in North America with regard to several organizations competing in...
contract with the Detroit Tigers. After helping the Triple-A affiliate Toledo Mud Hens
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
to a league championship (he clinched the championship game), he joined the parent club for a late-season audition.
Grilli pitched for Team Italy in the 2006 World Baseball Classic
2006 World Baseball Classic
---------Pool B:-------------Pool C:-------------Pool D:-------------Pool 1:-----------------Pool 2:-------------Finals:-Semifinals:-Final:-Final standings:...
. He also had a good spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
and earned a spot in the Tigers bullpen as a long reliever
Long reliever
A Long reliever is a type of relief pitcher in baseball.Long relievers traditionally enter early in a game when the starting pitcher cannot continue, whether due to ineffective pitching, lack of endurance, rain delays, injury, or ejection...
, leading to his first extended stint in the majors.
In , Grilli posted career highs in almost every category, including games (57), innings (79⅔), strikeouts (62), wins (5), and holds (11). However, Grilli heard boos at Comerica Park
Comerica Park
Comerica Park is an open-air ballpark located in downtown Detroit, Michigan. It serves as the home of the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball's American League, replacing historic Tiger Stadium in 2000....
during the season, mostly due to his home ERA of 7.96. He was much more effective away from home, posting a 1.91 ERA in road games. Tigers manager Jim Leyland
Jim Leyland
James Richard "Jim" Leyland is a Major League Baseball manager, currently with the Detroit Tigers.He led the Florida Marlins to a World Series championship in 1997, and previously won three straight division titles with the Pittsburgh Pirates...
defended Grilli: "I like Grilli because he's got a resilient arm...There's a lot to be said for that."
On April 30, , Grilli was traded to the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
for reliever Zachary Simons. This move was made to clear a roster spot for incoming reliever Francisco Cruceta
Francisco Cruceta
Francisco Alberto Cruceta is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher and former starting pitcher for the Samsung Lions in the Korea Baseball Organization.-Los Angeles Dodgers:...
.
In January , Grilli announced that he would again pitch for Team Italy in the 2009 World Baseball Classic
2009 World Baseball Classic
The 2009 World Baseball Classic was an international baseball competition. It is the only international baseball tournament to feature a large number of players from the major leagues of North America and Asia. It began on March 5, 2009, and finished March 23, 2009.Japan emerged victorious for the...
.
On June 5, 2009, Grilli was designated for assignment
Designated for assignment
Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. This gives the club 10 days to decide what to do with the player while freeing up a roster spot for another...
by the Rockies.
Texas Rangers
On June 9, 2009, Grilli was acquired by the Texas Rangers for cash considerations. In October 2009, Grilli was granted free agency.Cleveland Indians
On December 2, 2009, Grilli signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland IndiansCleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
with an invite to Spring Training. Grilli suffered a severe knee injury in spring training and would miss the entire 2010 season. Grilli filed for free agency on November 6, 2010.
Philadelphia Phillies
On January 30, 2011, Grilli signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. He pitched for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs
Lehigh Valley IronPigs
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are a minor league baseball team that plays in the International League. The IronPigs are the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. The team plays their home games at Coca-Cola Park, which is located in Allentown, Pennsylvania...
, posting a 1.93 ERA in 32 1/3 innings, before being released on July 20.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Grilli signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
on July 21, 2011.
Personal
He is the son of former major league pitcher Steve GrilliSteve Grilli
Stephen Joseph Grilli is a former right-handed pitcher for the Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays. Grilli played for six seasons in baseball, but only played in the major league for parts of four seasons...
, who pitched for parts of four seasons in the late 1970s, including three with the Detroit Tigers. His dad is also known for being the losing pitcher for the Rochester Red Wings
Rochester Red Wings
The Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.The Red Wings were an...
in the longest professional baseball game
Longest professional baseball game
The Pawtucket Red Sox and Rochester Red Wings, two teams from the Triple-A International League, played the longest game in professional baseball history. It lasted for 33 innings over eight hours and 25 minutes...
on June 23, 1981. He wears number 49 in honor of his father, and the two still talk after every game in which Jason makes an appearance. Grilli is also the cousin of James and Michael Marcou, hockey
Hockey
Hockey is a family of sports in which two teams play against each other by trying to maneuver a ball or a puck into the opponent's goal using a hockey stick.-Etymology:...
players for the UMass Minutemen
UMass Minutemen
The UMass Minutemen are the athletic teams that represent the University of Massachusetts Amherst in NCAA Division I sports competition. The nickname is also applied to club teams that do not participate within the NCAA structure. Strictly speaking, the Minutemen nickname applies to men's teams and...
.
Grilli and his wife, Danielle Hurt, welcomed their first child, in February, 2008. The couple reside in Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
during the offseason.
Grilli runs a company called Perfect Pitch Marketing which sells videophones and other consumer telecommunications equipment through Rochester-based 5LINX
5LINX
5LINX Enterprises is an American small business network marketing company headquartered in Rochester, New York, which provides home services across the United States and in 20 countries abroad. The company owns a small business VoIP phone company called Globalinx. 5LINX was a Inc. 500 fast-growing...
. He discusses this business venture in an interview with Jimmy Scott.