Chris Grothues is UCLA’s gritty lefty bullpen weapon with a comeback story
In the 2025 season, Grothues emerged as one of UCLA’s most trusted relievers after missing the 2024 season, throwing 32.2 innings in 21 appearances with a 4.96 ERA, 31 strikeouts, and a .217 opponent average; he was even tougher at home, posting a 1.50 ERA at Jackie Robinson Stadium. His value goes beyond the line score: he’s a 6-foot-3, 210-pound southpaw who battled back through Tommy John surgery, facial surgery, and a meniscus injury, then flashed high-leverage poise and strikeout stuff. If your team needs a resilient, battle-tested lefty with real mound presence, he’s absolutely worth caring about.
