Gold Glove finalist Robbie Grossman ready for A's outfield competition

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In addition to the “usual” Gold Glove candidates on the A's roster, outfielder Robbie Grossman was a finalist in 2019, joining Marcus Semien, Matt Chapman, and Matt Olson.

Grossman hasn’t made an error since June 2018, when playing with the Minnesota Twins.

But he did make a highlight reel worth of catches last summer wearing an A’s uniform.

“I made some strides defensively, had a pretty good season,” Grossman said. “Just using the information they give me here and becoming a better player. My goal, since I signed, is to be a little bit of a better player every day.”

Oakland used eight different left fielders in 2019, but nobody got more starts than Grossman's 89. He also earned that assignment when the A’s fielded their most important lineup of the season. Grossman rewarded that decision with a team-leading two hits in the AL Wild Card Game. 

“What he has working for him is the left handed bat, a switch hitter,” manager Bob Melvin said. “Our organization profiles guys like him, deep pitch count guys, ones that get on base. He was a natural for our organization to bring him back.”

Grossman avoided arbitration this past winter, signing a one-year contract with Oakland.

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“He had a good enough season for us where it felt like he was a guy that we need to bring back and he fits in the clubhouse very well too,” Melvin said.

“The group of guys we have here are second to none,” Grossman said. “The way everyone pulls for each other and is on the same page, and plays for each other. That’s a big reflection of the manager, Bob Melvin, how he handles this and what a great manager he is.”

Projections for a healthy Grossman should put him at the forefront of starting opportunities in 2020. Especially with the potential of right fielder Stephen Piscotty being sidelined due to injury. However with new 26-man roster rules, and so many talented options, competition in Oakland’s outfield is a given.

[RELATED: A's, metrics love Olson's swing]

“It does look a little crowded out there,” Melvin said. “How it’s actually going to play out, I have no idea at this point, that will usually take care of itself.”

“You want as much competition as you can,” Grossman said. “And this culture we have here, our ultimate goal is to win games. We don’t want anything to come between that.”

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