It has long been known that Jared Grindlinger will one day receive a good chunk of money for playing baseball.<\/p>\n
Grindlinger decided that day ought to arrive sooner.<\/p>\n
Grindlinger was an All-Orange County selection as a pitcher for Huntington Beach last season as a sophomore.<\/p>\n
Now he is a senior.<\/p>\n
He reclassified this year to become a senior in high school so that he is eligible for the Major League Baseball Draft in July.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought about it during the summer,\u201d said Grindlinger, a left-hander. \u201cI took the classes in case I wanted to do this. I just want to get to pro ball or college ball early.\u201d<\/p>\n
Baseball America had Grindlinger (6-3, 185) ranked as the No. 3 player in the nation. The publication still, after Grindlinger\u2019s reclassification, labels Grindlinger as an early-round draft pick.<\/p>\n
So a good pay day is coming, from either signing with an MLB club or from a lucrative name-image-likeness deal in college baseball.<\/p>\n
Grindlinger is 16 years old. That already put him on the younger side of the junior class. For a senior high school athlete, a 16-year-old is an infant.<\/p>\n
He said he is ready for whatever comes.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy parents have been super supportive and helpful,\u201d Grindlinger said. \u201cMy mom\u2019s been helping with getting my classes and talking to the school. Dad\u2019s a therapist, so that takes care of the mental side of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Huntington Beach coach Benji Medure also has been supportive of Grindlinger\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n
Mostly \u2026<\/p>\n
\u201cSelfishly, I want Jared here for another year,\u201d Medure said. \u201cWho wouldn\u2019t? Of course I would like to have one of the best players in America for one more year.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut financially and for his growth, it\u2019s a good move. And what\u2019s our job as coaches? We want the kids to move on to the next level and excel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Grindlinger was All-County first team last season when he was 5-0 with a 0.87 ERA. He had 34 strikeouts in 32\u2153 innings.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, Grindlinger struck out five over four hitless innings of a 5-2 loss on the road to Sierra Canyon.<\/p>\n
Huntington Beach, No. 2 in the Orange County preseason rankings<\/a>, is 1-1-1.<\/p>\n Grindlinger has not committed to a college program. His brother Trent Grindlinger was an All-County catcher last season at Huntington Beach and is playing at Tennessee this season.<\/p>\n Grindlinger, also a fine hitter and outfielder, throws a fastball that consistently goes 93-95 mph, but can reach 97. Grindlinger said his repertoire now includes what he calls \u201ca bigger-shape slider\u201d and a kick change, the latest trendy pitch that is a version of the traditional change up altered by a slightly different grip.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously his arm is electric,\u201d Medure said. \u201cHis slider and change are highly graded by Major League standards. To have two great pitches for a high school pitcher is special, but for a high school pitcher to have three like Jared does with his arm speed makes him truly elite.\u201d<\/p>\n NOTES<\/p>\n