When it comes to baseball, the game within the game can be so fascinating. And the simplest gesture can be used to outsmart an opponent.
Padres center fielder Trent Grisham certainly did that on Wednesday.
During the first inning of the Padres’ game against the Reds, Spencer Steer hit a soft line drive to center field with one out and T.J. Friedl on first base. Initially, Friedl appeared to handle the situation correctly. He went halfway, but he focused mainly on how Grisham was moving in center field.
Grisham jogged and signaled as if the ball was dropping, but instead, he made the catch and immediately fired a throw to first base.
Trent Grisham faked out the runner 😳 pic.twitter.com/Ur1UwslBl9
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 3, 2023
Grisham knew exactly what he was doing as he doubled up Friedl (thanks to a great scoop at first by Jake Cronenworth). He had Friedl completely fooled by the deke, and it was enough to end the inning.
Well played, Trent. That’s some high-IQ baseball right there.
