Mark Grudzielanek

54-Year-Old Second Baseman2B
 Free Agent  
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Mark Grudzielanek in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Agreed to a minor league contract with the Indians in January of 2010.
2BFree Agent  
February 23, 2011
Grudzielanek announced his retirement Wednesday, FoxSports.com reports.
ANALYSIS
He played 30 games for the Indians last year. He retires with a Gold Glove, .289 career batting average and .725 career OPS.
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
Another year, another near-.300 season for Grudzielanek, who closed out 2008 with a .299/.345/.399 line to go with 24 doubles in 331 at-bats. He played in just 86 games because of lingering back problems and a sprained ankle, but remains a very good contact hitter and a solid fielder. But the big issue for him will be his body, as it should continue to break down as he nears 40. Grudzielanek will not return to the Royals in 2009 and he may sign on with a contender, which will likely limit the size of his role.
Talk about consistency, Grudzielanek’s average has hovered around .300 for all but five of his 12 full major league seasons, including .302 at the ripe age of 37 in 2007. He still has a solid glove, committing just six errors at second base last year -- his third-lowest total since sliding over to second in 2000. Still, his age is beginning to show, as he played a career-low 116 games in 2007 due to injury. While his slugging percentage has climbed in recent years, he provides little pop, hitting 13 total home runs in his two years in Kansas City. You can expect more of the same out of Grudzy in 2008, a solid batting average, but not much else.
Grudzielanek has turned in two nearly duplicate seasons playing in 2005 for St. Louis and in 2006 for Kansas City. Considering 2006 was his first season in the American League, that's a nice feat. The greatest difference between the two seasons is that he won his first Gold Glove while committing only four errors and setting the team mark for consecutive games without an error. He'll be back near the top of the order for Kansas City in 2006, which could be a nicer place to be with a group of hot, young bats entering the picture.
A career .287 hitter, Grudzielanek nudged his numbers up a bit in 2005. He was particularly effective in the second half, hitting .316 with an OPS 90 points higher than before the break. As middle infielders go, he's certainly worth a look.
For the second season in a row, Grudzielanek put up passable numbers for a middle infielder, but an inflamed Achilles' tendon limited him to just 257 AB. He'll open as the starter at second base for St. Louis this spring.
Grudzielanek actually had a decent season for the Cubs in 2003, going .314/.366/.416 in 481 at-bats. His numbers were up in part because he drew a few more walks (30 last year as opposed to 22 in 536 at-bats two seasons ago), and a lot more of his hits dropped in (six more in 55 fewer at-bats). Some of this can be attributed to the fact that he got out of Dodger Stadium, a notoriously bad hitter's park with lots of foul ground, so he could repeat his 2003 showing at Wrigley Field in 2004. Still, he still doesn't walk much, he doesn't run much, he doesn't hit for power, and he turns 34 this season. Grudzielanek re-signed with the Cubs in December of 2003 and will be their starting second baseman again in 2004.
Here's a guy without much power who refuses to take a walk, no longer steals bases and no longer has a starting job. Expect him to back up Bobby Hill at second base this season and to exude 'veteran-ness,' a quality which will mysteriously help his team win games, at least according to some old-school management types.
More Fantasy News
2BFree Agent  
June 10, 2010
Grudzielanek was released by the Indians after clearing waivers on Thursday, the team's official site reports.
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2BCleveland Guardians  
Hamstring
June 8, 2010
The Indians designated Grudzielanek (hamstring) for assignment on Tuesday, MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince reports.
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2BCleveland Guardians  
Hamstring
June 8, 2010
Grudzielanek wasn't in the lineup on Monday due to a strained hamstring, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
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2BCleveland Guardians  
May 12, 2010
Grudzielanek will start at second base Wednesday against the Royals, the Indians' official site reports.
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2BCleveland Guardians  
May 9, 2010
Grudzielanek, who had three hits on Sunday, could be looking at an expanded role, the team's official site reports.
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