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HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIF. - “I try to stay grounded. My family keeps me humble, and I just focus on doing what I love. I also like giving back by working with younger players. At the end of the day, I’m just a kid playing baseball,” said Jared Grindlinger, before he knew what the future held. 

For Grindlinger, playing on the biggest stages amateur baseball has to offer is not just about showcasing his skills. It is about learning from each experience while testing himself against the best of the best.

Whether it is suiting up for the Prep Baseball All-American Game in Miami or representing Team USA in Japan, Grindlinger continued to prove why he belongs among the elite players in prep ranks.

When the two-way star arrived at LoanDepot Park last September for the All-American Game, his excitement was immediate, but so was his mindset.

“I was super excited when I got invited,” said Grindlinger. “I had talked to some friends who had gone before, so I knew it was going to be a really fun experience. I was just excited to play with my friends, compete with the best players in the country, and really test myself.”

That opportunity quickly turned into a weekend of a lifetime, one that went far beyond the box score.

“It ended up being an awesome experience. The amount of gear we got and just the way they treated us was incredible,” Grindlinger said. “It was probably the most fun I’ve had at an event, not just on the field, but off it too.”

While the on-field competition featured some of the top talent in the country, including fellow elite draft prospects such as Jacob Lombard (FL) and Grady Emerson (TX), it was the atmosphere and relationships built off the field that left a lasting impact.

“There was always something going on,” Grindlinger said. “I was hanging out with one of the coaches’ kids during the week, playing ping pong, cornhole, just a lot of fun stuff. It wasn’t just baseball, it was the whole experience.”

Moments like those showcase a key part of who Grindlinger is. Even with the pressure and expectations, he understands the importance of enjoying the process.

When Grindlinger got his opportunity to represent the United States, he carried that same approach with him.

“There’s nothing better than putting those three letters across your chest. I still get chills thinking about it. Every time I’ve been a part of it, it’s been both fun and challenging.”

Grindlinger became a part of history, notching the last six outs in a combined no-hitter against Chinese Taipei, a feat that the U.S. had not achieved in over 30 years.

“Instead of being nervous or doubting myself, I flipped my mindset to, “I’m going to compete, and I’m going to bring my best.” That change in mentality made a huge difference for me.”

When not representing Team USA in Japan or playing in showcases across the country, Grindlinger represents what he calls his second family– Huntington Beach High School.

“It's really a one-of-a-kind program. It’s not just about baseball, but it’s about who you are off the field too. We have things like “Wednesday Life Talks,” where we focus on life lessons — how to treat people, how to carry yourself, how to be a good teammate. That stuff really separates the program,” said Grindlinger. 

Earlier this year, Grindlinger made the decision to reclassify into the 2026 MLB Draft class, accelerating his timeline and putting himself in front of scouts at a younger age than most of his peers. In addition to this decision, on April 1st, Grindlinger took to social media to announce his commitment to the University of Tennessee.

At just 17 years old, he was immediately one of the youngest players in the class, but also one of the more intriguing prospects headed towards July's MLB Draft.

This season for the Oilers, Grindlinger was the definition of a human highlight reel. In 109 at-bats, the lefty totaled 41 knocks, tallying 22 RBIs. On the mound, the lefty held opposing batters to just a .157 batting average, fanning 66 batters while only walking 17.

Baseball runs deep in the Grindlinger family. Jared’s two brothers, Trent and Bradley, both have shown recent success at the collegiate level. Trent just concluded a breakout season for the University of Tennessee, hitting to the tune of a .345 batting average while clubbing 8 home runs. Bradley played his first season at Long Beach State and was impressive on the mound, notching a 1.35 ERA across 7 games.

“My brothers have had a huge impact on me. Trent has helped me a ton, especially with pitching. When he catches me, he’s always teaching — pitch tunneling, sequencing, reading swings — all of that. Brad has been just as important. He’s one of the hardest workers I know, and he really helped me fall in love with the game early on. Anytime I’m struggling, I know I can go to him,” said Grindlinger.

At 6-foot-3 with room to fill out, Grindlinger’s long-term upside on the mound is what stands out most.

His fastball has been up to 95 to 96 MPH, typically sitting in the 90 to 93 MPH range, with the kind of delivery that suggests more velocity could be on the way.

He mixes in a changeup in the low 80s and has shown a feel for multiple breaking balls, with a tighter slider flashing the most consistency.

“I’ve got a really good feel for my pitches and how they move,” said Grindlinger. “I know what each pitch is going to do. Whether it’s focusing on the ride on my fastball or depth on my changeup, I use that to sequence and tunnel pitches effectively. “That’s something I’ve really developed over time. When I was younger, I just threw as hard as I could. Now, every pitch has a purpose.”

At the plate, Grindlinger shows a contact-oriented approach with developing power that could continue to emerge as he matures physically.

“I try to stay clear-minded and calm. When I try to do too much, it doesn’t work,” said Grindlinger. “Just staying relaxed, trusting my approach, and not making the moment bigger than it is — that’s when I’m at my best.”

His ability to contribute on both sides of the ball only adds to his overall profile and keeps multiple paths open at the next level.

“As a hitter, I can think like a pitcher — understanding sequences, tendencies, and what a guy might throw in certain counts,” said Grindlinger. “As a pitcher, I understand how hitters think and adjust, which helps me stay a step ahead.”

The timeline may be accelerated, but his approach has not changed.

On July 11th, with the 12th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, the Los Angeles Angels selected Jared Grindlinger as an outfielder, breaking a 7-year streak of drafting college players in the first round. 

Grindlinger was the first prep player from CA off the board, and the third prep player overall. He joins the Angels farm system that includes MLB's 44th-ranked prospect and fellow Californian, RHP Tyler Bremner (Scripps Ranch HS, UCSB). 

Grindlinger is likely to sign a professional contract and embark on the journey to be the next Big Leaguer to come from Head Coach Benji Medure's program. What we have found is, for Grindlinger, the journey is as much fun as the destination. 

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