Angels News: Randal Grichuk Reacts to Full Circle Moment with Halos

Randal Grichuk homers in his first start for the team that drafted him 14 years ago.

Outfielder Randal Grichuk made his first start with the Angels against the Atlanta Braves on Monday, and even though this was his first start with the team, it was not exactly his new team.

Randal Grichuk was actually taken 24th overall in the 2009 MLB draft by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and was in the minor league system for the club for four years before being a part of a trade that sent him to the St. Louis Cardinals for David Freese and Fernando Salas.

Grichuk, now an aged veteran soon to turn 32, is having a career resurgence in 2023 with a line of .308/.365/.496. After a couple of mediocre seasons with the Blue Jays and the Rockies, Grichuk is taking an improved above-average bat with him to Anaheim.

Rhett Bollinger was among those speaking with Grichuk before his debut and asked how he felt about making his return to the Angels.

"I never thought it would take 14 years to make my Angels debut but here I am."

Randal Grichuk: “I never thought it would take 14 years to make my #Angels debut but here I am.”

— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) July 31, 2023

The trade for Grichuk and first baseman C.J. Cron comes at a good time with Taylor Ward going down for the rest of the season with facial fractures after being hit by a fastball on Saturday.

The right-handed corner outfielder will look to replace Ward and help the Angels push for a Wild Card spot only being a few games behind the last spot.

And it didn't take him long to make an impact, as he went yard in his first game with the Halos on Monday.

14 years in the making 🥹#GoHalos pic.twitter.com/2uMFhRlclC

— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) August 1, 2023

Grichuk has some playoff experience from his time with the Cardinals and Blue Jays and will look to step into the clubhouse and help the team that called his name just 14 years ago into a playoff spot.