Blue Jays: An Interview with Jordan Groshans

The Toronto Blue Jays drafted Jordan Groshans 12th overall in the 2018 MLB draft. Now one of the Blue Jays’ best prospects, Groshans is ready for a huge 2020 season. Jays Journal recently sat down with Jordan to talk all things baseball.

We started off the interview by talking about when Jordan Groshans first became a Toronto Blue Jay.

Jason Lee: Let’s start by talking about when you got drafted. What was the process like leading up to the draft and can you maybe tell me a little bit about how draft day went as well?

Jordan Groshans: Leading up to it, it was kind of hit or miss. You would have some days where you would have good information and other days where it was a little more quiet. It was hard. You never really knew who was going to take you or where you were going – nothing was ever a lock. So, when I got the call from Toronto on draft day, it was a big relief. I was excited to start my journey and at the same time, I was happy that [the draft] was over because it was a long, stressful process. I’m grateful that Toronto picked me because they’re the best organization that I could have gone to.

Lee: A really cool story from the draft was that the Blue Jays drafted two teammates from the same high school. Firstly, how much did it mean to you that you and Adam (Kloffenstein) were going to play for the same organization and secondly, can you maybe tell me a little bit about your friendship with him?

Groshans: It’s huge. In high school, you have all the expectations and all the standards and it’s hard. It’s a grind like everybody says. It’s a hard process and having that best friend you grew up with doing it with you and being there every step of the way definitely made the transition easier. Having him go to Toronto was a big thing for me and for him too because we drive each other. And our friendship goes way back.

When I moved from Dallas to Houston, he was one of those first guys to kind of take me under his wing and introduce me to everybody at the school and the friendship kind of took off. It let to the baseball field and one summer after another, we were working out together, playing travel ball together – it’s a friendship that will last a lifetime.

After talking about the draft, we then discussed the transition to professional baseball.

Lee: I want to talk about your hitting philosophy. Recently, everyone in baseball is talking about launch angle, exit velocity, an efficient swing path. My first question would be, how much do you pay attention to that kind of stuff and then to follow up, can you tell me a little bit about your hitting philosophy in general?

Groshans: It all started with me and my dad. We’re best friends, we have a great relationship, and he’s my hitting coach. He built my swing from the ground up and he got me to where I am today as a player and a person. [In terms of the new data], I try not to pay too much attention because I know a lot of guys nowadays, they want to change their swings and change their approaches to meet those numbers.

The way I view it is, when I step in the batter’s box, the last thing I’m worried about is, “I’m going to hit this slider at a 30-degree launch angle.” I’m not worried about that. My goal is every time I step up to the plate, to absolutely just barrel the ball. And that’s another reason why I think I’ve been successful – just sticking to the approach. Not trying to do too much and not trying to hit a certain exit velocity when I go to the plate because at the end of the day, the pitcher is supplying the power. If your swing is there, your rhythm’s there, the numbers are going to be there anyway. That’s my outlook on hitting. I know a lot of people don’t like that but at the end of the day, that’s who I am and that’s who I’m going to be.

Lee: Obviously, you’re an incredibly talented hitter but there are questions about your defensive side of the game in terms of your future position. I know you’ve played a little shortstop and a little third base but where do you see yourself playing in the infield for your future?

Groshans: I love being a shortstop. I’ve been playing there ever since I was playing baseball. That’s a position that I love and a position that I feel like I’m really good at. But at the end of the day, whatever the organization needs, whatever they want me to be, that’s what I’m going to be. Right now, the only thing I can say on that is wherever they put me, I’m just trying to be the best defender I can be, whether that’s short or third. That’s something that I’ve really been working at – just being more consistent on the defensive side of the game.

Lee: My next question is a little off-topic. The Blue Jays were the first team to raise the pay of their minor league players by more than 50%. When you heard that news, how much did you and your teammates appreciate that effort and how much of a difference is it going to make in your lives?

We had some teammates go to tears over it because that helps their living situation. They’re going from six guys in a three-bedroom apartment to two guys in a two-bedroom apartment.

Groshans: It’s a big thing. I know a bunch of people are finally standing up about the minor league pay and what we have to go through. It’s a big deal for us. A lot of guys that didn’t make as much money as some of us [in the draft], it’s tough on them. They go home in the offseason and they have to work 9-to-5 jobs. They Uber, they do whatever they can to make that extra money for the season and I think what the Blue Jays did was a huge step forward in minor league baseball. We had some teammates go to tears over it because that helps their living situation. They’re going from six guys in a three-bedroom apartment to two guys in a two-bedroom apartment. So, we’re very grateful about it, very appreciative to the Blue Jays.

I then ended off the interview by asking some lighter questions that would help Blue Jays fans get to know more about Jordan Groshans.

Lee: I’d like to end off the interview with a few questions that show Blue Jays fans more about Jordan Groshans the person, rather than Jordan Groshans the baseball player. I know you’re a big Fortnite, Call of Duty guy. Are there any other cool hobbies or passions other than baseball that you have?

Groshans: I would say playing Call of Duty and golfing are definitely my two favourites. I’m also a big movie guy. Me and my grandmother, we go to movies all the time – that’s kind of our thing. I’ve seen every movie out, still working on a few, but those are things I like to do because you play a lot of baseball games in a year and your mind needs a break. You need to get away from the game sometimes and give yourself that kind of mental relief so those things to me are a great help.

Lee: Do you have a favourite baseball player or player that you’ve modeled your game around?

Groshans: So, I have a favorite player – Francisco Lindor. He’s a leader on and off the field. I really like that guy, really like how he plays the game and how he handles himself. I actually don’t model my game off of anybody. I think that I’m a unique player. I don’t want to be like Mike Trout, I want to be the next Mike Trout. I want to be that type of player and that’s how I’ve always been. I’ve tried to be my own person and that’s something I take great pride in.

Lee: And finally, is there a fun fact about Jordan Groshans that Blue Jays fans should know?

Groshans: That’s a good one. I’m actually very good at juggling. People don’t know that but when I was in middle school and in high school, I used to practice a lot. I used to be able to do six baseballs at a time. I haven’t done it in a while, so I don’t know if I can do it anymore but I used to be really good at it. I don’t know why. It was just something I did in my room when I was bored. If I couldn’t play video games or if I was tired, I was like, “Hey, why not try this?” So that’s something I’m really good at.

On behalf of Jays Journal, I’d like to thank Jordan Groshans for taking the time to interview. Make sure to follow Jordan on Twitter @groshansj10!