Trent Grisham Bio
Trenton Marcus Grisham (born November 1, 1996) is an American professional baseball center fielder for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres. Grisham was born in Fort Worth, Texas, and emerged as a top MLB draft prospect during his high school career. He won two Gold Glove Awards as a center fielder in 2020 and 2022. Grisham was traded to the Yankees following the 2023 season and continues to serve as the team’s primary center fielder.
Early Life and Background
Grisham was born Trenton Marcus Clark on November 1, 1996, in Fort Worth, Texas, where he grew up and attended Richland High School in North Richland Hills. He played baseball and was on the football team as a freshman. Grisham developed into an exceptional hitter during his high school career, batting .441 with ten home runs as a junior and .552 with three home runs as a senior. His performance drew attention from college programs and professional scouts alike.
During the summer after his junior year, Grisham played for the 18-under Team USA squad. He dominated the competition, hitting .538 with a .923 slugging percentage, 24 runs batted in, and ten stolen bases over 12 games. His outstanding play earned him a commitment to Texas Tech University to play college baseball before he decided to pursue a professional career.
Path to Professional Baseball
Grisham was considered one of the top prospects for the 2015 Major League Baseball draft. His combination of hitting ability, speed, and defensive skills made him an attractive selection for multiple teams. The Milwaukee Brewers selected him in the first round with the 15th overall pick. Grisham signed with the Brewers and began his professional career in the Arizona League, where he posted a .309 batting average with two home runs and 21 runs batted in across 55 games between the Arizona League Brewers and Helena Brewers.
He continued to develop in the minor leagues over the next several seasons. Grisham played for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in 2016, where hamstring injuries limited him to 59 games, though he still managed two home runs and 24 runs batted in. In 2017 with the Carolina Mudcats, he displayed his all-around game by hitting .223 with eight home runs, 45 runs batted in, and 37 stolen bases in 133 games. He followed that with a 2018 season with the Biloxi Shuckers, where he hit .233 with seven home runs, 31 runs batted in, and 11 stolen bases in 107 games.
Trent Grisham Career
Milwaukee Brewers (2019)
Grisham opened the 2019 season with the San Antonio Missions and earned a promotion to the major leagues. On August 1, 2019, the Brewers selected his contract and promoted him to the majors. He made his major league debut that same day against the Oakland Athletics. Grisham appeared in 23 games for the Brewers that season, working to establish himself at the highest level of professional baseball.
San Diego Padres Breakthrough (2020–2023)
Following the 2019 season, the Brewers traded Grisham along with Zach Davies and cash considerations to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Luis Urías and Eric Lauer. The trade proved significant for Grisham’s career trajectory as he became the team’s primary center fielder.
In 2020, Grisham wasted no time making an impact. On August 22, 2020, he hit three home runs in a game against the Houston Astros, including solo shots in the first and second innings before adding a third against Joe Biagini in the seventh. That shortened season saw him hit .251 with a .352 on-base percentage and .456 slugging percentage, adding ten home runs and 26 runs batted in across 59 games. He led National League outfielders with 134 putouts and won his first career Gold Glove Award as the top defensive center fielder in the National League.
The 2021 season brought challenges early on. Grisham began the year on the injured list with a hamstring strain suffered during spring training and rejoined the team on April 9. He also missed 20 games mid-season with a left heel bruise. Despite these setbacks, he started 118 games in center field and batted .242 with a .327 on-base percentage and .413 slugging percentage, contributing 15 home runs, 62 runs batted in, and 13 stolen bases in 132 games total. He batted in the leadoff position for 52 of his starts.
Grisham’s 2022 season was notable for his defensive excellence despite offensive struggles. He posted a .184 batting average, which was the lowest in the major leagues among qualified batters, along with a .284 on-base percentage and .341 slugging percentage in 451 at-bats. Despite this challenging offensive year, he led all major league players with seven sacrifice hits and earned his second consecutive Gold Glove Award for his defensive work in center field. In January 2023, Grisham agreed to a one-year, $3.175 million contract with the Padres, avoiding salary arbitration.
New York Yankees Era (2024–Present)
On December 6, 2023, the Padres traded Grisham along with Juan Soto to the New York Yankees in exchange for Michael King, Drew Thorpe, Jhony Brito, Randy Vásquez, and Kyle Higashioka. In his first season with the Yankees in 2024, Grisham played in 76 games and batted .190 with a .290 on-base percentage and .385 slugging percentage, hitting nine home runs and driving in 31 runs.
The 2025 season marked a turning point for Grisham. He got off to the best start of his career, showing significant improvement in his offensive profile while earning substantial playing time in center field for the Yankees. On November 18, 2025, Grisham accepted the Yankees qualifying offer and returned to the team on a one-year $22.025 million contract.
Defensive Excellence and Strengths
Grisham has established himself as one of the premier defensive center fielders in baseball. His two Gold Glove Awards in 2020 and 2022 reflect his exceptional range, instincts, and throwing arm in center field. He reads fly balls well and positions himself effectively to track down balls hit to the gaps. His defensive contributions have often highlighted his value to teams even during seasons when his offensive numbers lagged.
Notable Career Milestones
Several moments stand out in Grisham’s career. His three-homer game against the Houston Astros in August 2020 demonstrated his power potential. Being selected 15th overall in the 2015 draft represented the high expectations placed on him from the beginning. His back-to-back Gold Glove Awards in 2020 and 2022 cemented his reputation as an elite defensive specialist at a premium defensive position. The qualifying offer acceptance in November 2025 reflected the Yankees’ commitment to keeping him as part of their core group.
Trent Grisham Career Statistics
Grisham has compiled his career statistics across parts of seven major league seasons with three franchises. His career statistics through June 9, 2026, include 112 career home runs and 353 runs batted in.
MLB Career Highlights
Grisham made his major league debut on August 1, 2019, with the Milwaukee Brewers. His first multi-home run game came on August 22, 2020, with the San Diego Padres against the Houston Astros, when he hit three home runs in a single game. That same season, he captured his first Gold Glove Award, leading National League outfielders in putouts. His 2020 and 2022 Gold Glove Awards represent his most prestigious individual accomplishments to date.
Minor League Development
Before reaching the majors, Grisham showed promise across five seasons in the Brewers farm system. His best minor league performance came in 2015 when he combined to hit .309 between the Arizona League Brewers and Helena Brewers. His 37 stolen bases with the Carolina Mudcats in 2017 demonstrated his speed tool, and his consistent defensive work established the foundation for his Gold Glove credentials.
| Statistic | Career Total |
|---|---|
| Batting Average | .218 |
| Home Runs | 112 |
| Runs Batted In | 353 |
| Gold Glove Awards | 2 |
Trent Grisham Family
Family Background
Grisham was born Trenton Marcus Clark and grew up in Fort Worth, Texas. He legally changed his last name in 2017 to Grisham, which is his mother’s last name. This decision marked a significant personal step as he established his identity both on and off the baseball field.
Personal Life
Grisham is married to Megan Grisham, and he follows the Christian faith. The couple welcomed their first child, a son, in April 2025. Grisham maintains a public presence on Instagram where he shares glimpses of his personal life alongside his baseball career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a career resurgence for Grisham with the New York Yankees. After a challenging 2024 season in which he batted just .190 in 76 games, he came to spring training with a renewed focus on his offensive approach. The work paid immediate dividends as he posted the best start of his professional career through the first half of the season.
Grisham’s improved offensive output coincided with increased confidence in his swing and approach at the plate. Yankees manager Aaron Boone found ways to get him consistent playing time in center field, and Grisham responded with production that better reflected his raw tools and abilities. His defensive excellence remained a constant, providing value regardless of his offensive output.
As the season progressed, Grisham established himself as a key component of the Yankees outfield mix. His ability to play premium defense in center field while contributing more offensively made him a valuable piece for a team with championship aspirations. His acceptance of the qualifying offer in November ensured he would return to the Bronx for the 2026 season, continuing his partnership with an organization that valued both his defensive prowess and his offensive growth.