Jared Grindlinger made a big move heading into the 2026 season by choosing to undergo reclassification to shift from a junior to a senior in order to take the next step in his development and move even closer to the next level of his baseball career.
It was a move that clearly paid off. The Huntington Beach High School two-way player made an impression as both a pitcher and a hitter in his senior season that was so strong that he now profiles as a first-round pick in the 2026 MLB Draft as MLB's no. 16 prospect.
"It was kind of crushing at first, but we understood what he was doing," Huntington Beach head coach Benji Medure said of Grindlinger's decision to reclassify. "Over the year, you could see him grow and you could see him focus and you could see him do all the little things that a great senior leader would do... The biggest thing that I got out of it was his leadership qualities and how he handled himself. That's what I'm most proud of."
In a way, Grindlinger was following in the footsteps of his older brother Trent, a catcher at the University of Tennessee who just wrapped up his freshman season with the Volunteers. Jared is a Tennessee commit as well, but the Big League's are surely calling for him.
Jumping to senior year was clearly a calculated for Grindlinger and he managed to keep up with the physical demands by adding what he said was 15 pounds and by building his confidence to get ready to compete at the next level.
It was a move that clearly paid off. The Huntington Beach High School two-way player made an impression as both a pitcher and a hitter in his senior season that was so strong that he now profiles as a first-round pick in the 2026 MLB Draft as MLB's no. 16 prospect.
"It was kind of crushing at first, but we understood what he was doing," Huntington Beach head coach Benji Medure said of Grindlinger's decision to reclassify. "Over the year, you could see him grow and you could see him focus and you could see him do all the little things that a great senior leader would do... The biggest thing that I got out of it was his leadership qualities and how he handled himself. That's what I'm most proud of."
In a way, Grindlinger was following in the footsteps of his older brother Trent, a catcher at the University of Tennessee who just wrapped up his freshman season with the Volunteers. Jared is a Tennessee commit as well, but the Big League's are surely calling for him.
Jumping to senior year was clearly a calculated for Grindlinger and he managed to keep up with the physical demands by adding what he said was 15 pounds and by building his confidence to get ready to compete at the next level.
4 months ago
