Andre Anthony Granillo Bio
Andre Anthony Granillo is an American professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the St. Louis Cardinals organization in Major League Baseball. Born on May 12, 2000, Granillo was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2021 MLB Draft and steadily climbed the minor league ranks before making his MLB debut in 2025. The right-handed pitcher developed his craft in the Cardinals farm system, establishing himself as a reliable reliever at multiple levels before earning his promotion to the majors.
Early Life and Background
Andre Anthony Granillo grew up in California and attended West Valley High School in Hemet. During his high school years, he developed into a promising baseball player, laying the foundation for his future professional career. His performance at the high school level caught the attention of college scouts, leading him to pursue higher education and continued baseball development at the next tier.
Following his graduation from West Valley High School, Granillo enrolled at the University of California, Riverside. He played college baseball for the UC Riverside Highlanders, further refining his pitching skills against collegiate competition. His success in college baseball helped prepare him for the transition to professional play.
Path to Professional Baseball
In the summer of 2021, Granillo competed in the Cape Cod Baseball League, one of the premier summer collegiate baseball leagues in the United States. Playing for the Cotuit Kettleers, he faced top college talent from across the country, gaining invaluable experience that accelerated his development. The Cape Cod League is widely recognized as a proving ground for future professional players, and Granillo’s performance there strengthened his standing as a draft prospect.
His college career and summer league performance culminated in the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft. The St. Louis Cardinals selected Granillo in the 14th round, choosing him with the 421st overall pick. The Cardinals believed in his potential and signed him to his first professional contract, beginning his journey through their farm system.
Andre Anthony Granillo Career
Minor League Development (2021–2024)
Granillo began his professional career in 2021 following the draft, reporting to the Palm Beach Cardinals. He made an immediate impact in his debut season, posting an impressive 1.50 earned run average over 18 innings pitched. His ability to miss bats and limit opposing hitters demonstrated the stuff that convinced the Cardinals to select him in the draft.
The 2022 season saw Granillo advance through three levels of the Cardinals organization. He opened the year with Palm Beach before receiving promotions to the Peoria Chiefs and eventually the Springfield Cardinals. Across all three clubs, he combined to go 4-6 with a 4.13 ERA and 82 strikeouts over 52 and one-third innings. The versatility of pitching effectively at each level showed his adaptability and readiness for higher competition.
In 2023, Granillo returned to Springfield to begin the season and earned another promotion to the Memphis Redbirds in mid-August. Between both clubs, he made 53 relief appearances and went 3-4 with a 4.74 ERA, 89 strikeouts, and 14 saves over 68 and one-third innings. His 14 saves represented a significant role as a closer at the Double-A and Triple-A levels. Following the season, he was selected to participate in the prestigious Arizona Fall League with the Scottsdale Scorpions, where top prospects continue their development against elite competition.
The 2024 season brought continued success for Granillo. He opened the year back at Springfield and was promoted to Memphis in mid-May. Across 48 relief appearances between both teams, he posted an 8-2 record with a 3.88 ERA and 80 strikeouts over 65 innings. His eight wins represented a career-high at that level, and his consistency as a late-inning reliever solidified his standing as a prospect on the verge of MLB selection.
St. Louis Cardinals (2025–Present)
Granillo opened the 2025 season with the Memphis Redbirds, where he dominated in his first 18 relief appearances. Over 29 and two-thirds innings, he compiled a 1.82 ERA and 46 strikeouts while maintaining the form that had characterized his minor league career. His performance demanded attention from the Cardinals front office, leading to his contract being selected on June 12, 2025. The Cardinals promoted him to the major leagues, and he joined the team for his first MLB action.
Granillo made his major league debut on June 12, 2025, pitching for the St. Louis Cardinals against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. In his debut appearance, he pitched two and two-thirds scoreless innings and recorded two strikeouts, providing a glimpse of the promise he had shown throughout his minor league career. The debut marked the culmination of four years of development within the Cardinals organization.
His first career win came on June 19, 2025, during the first game of a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox. In an remarkable twist, he also recorded his first career save in the second game of that same doubleheader, becoming one of the few pitchers to achieve both milestones in a single day. Throughout the remainder of the 2025 season, Granillo shuffled between Memphis and St. Louis as the Cardinals managed his workload. In total, he appeared in 14 games for the Cardinals, posting a 1-0 record with a 4.71 ERA and 18 strikeouts over 21 innings.
Pitching Style and Strengths
Granillo has established himself as a relief pitcher capable of handling high-leverage situations. His career 14 saves in the minor leagues reflect his ability to perform under pressure in closing roles. He has demonstrated the capacity to work multiple innings when needed, as shown in his MLB debut, and has shown the durability required for the modern bullpen. His strikeout numbers throughout his career indicate a capacity to generate swings and misses against professional hitters.
Notable Achievements
Granillo achieved the rare distinction of recording both his first career win and first career save on the same day during the June 19, 2025 doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox. The milestone marked a memorable introduction to major league competition. His selection to the Arizona Fall League following the 2023 season also highlighted his status as one of the top prospects in the Cardinals system. His consistent performance across multiple minor league levels, including a career-high eight wins in 2024, demonstrated his ability to adapt and succeed at each rung of the professional ladder.
Andre Anthony Granillo Career Statistics
Granillo has compiled solid statistics throughout his professional career, advancing from rookie ball through Triple-A before reaching the major leagues in 2025. His ability to post sub-4.00 ERAs at Double-A and Triple-A signaled his readiness for MLB competition.
Major League Baseball Highlights
Through early in the 2026 season, Granillo has appeared in major league games with the St. Louis Cardinals. In his 14 MLB appearances, he has recorded a win-loss record of 1-0 with an earned run average of 4.71 and 18 strikeouts over 21 innings. His most memorable MLB moment came on June 19, 2025, when he earned his first career win in the opener of a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox and secured his first career save in the nightcap. These back-to-back achievements in a single day represented significant milestones in his young MLB career.
Minor League Highlights
Across four seasons in the minor leagues from 2021 to 2024, Granillo established himself as a reliable reliever at every level of the Cardinals farm system. His career minor league record included multiple wins and a collection of 14 saves, with particularly strong performances at the Triple-A level with Memphis. His 2024 season saw him go 8-2 between Springfield and Memphis, the most wins he had recorded in a single professional season.
| Level | Games | W-L Record | ERA | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB (2025) | 14 | 1-0 | 4.71 | 18 |
| Triple-A Memphis (2023-2025) | 70+ | Multiple seasons | Various | 135+ |
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented the breakout year of Granillo’s professional career. After opening the year at Triple-A Memphis and posting dominant numbers including a 1.82 ERA through 18 appearances, he received the call to the majors in June. His promotion fulfilled the promise he had shown since being drafted in 2021, and he immediately contributed to the Cardinals bullpen.
Granillo’s debut season in the majors featured the memorable doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox on June 19, where he became the first pitcher in franchise history to record both his first win and first save in the same twin bill. Throughout the season, he shuttled between St. Louis and Memphis as the Cardinals managed his service time and development. His 14 MLB appearances provided a solid sample of his abilities at the highest level, and his 1-0 record with 18 strikeouts demonstrated his capacity to contribute in various situations.