Deivy Wilrin Grullón (pronounced "DAY-vee gru-YOHN"; born February 17, 1996) is a Dominican professional baseballcatcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox. Listed at 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m) and 240 pounds (110 kg), he bats and throws right-handed.
Grullón played in Lakewood in 2015 (batting .221/.273/.335) and 2016 (batting .256./.320/.375).[2] He played in 2017 with Clearwater and with the Reading Fightin Phils of the Double-AEastern League, batting a combined .249/.283/.398, with 12 HR and 37 RBI, in 354 AB.[2] Grullón was named a mid-season 2017 Florida State League All Star.[2]
Grullón played 2018 with Reading, batting .273/.310/.515, with 21 HR (tied for 4th in the league) and 59 RBI, in 326 AB.[2][6] He was named a 2018 Eastern League mid-season and post-season All Star, and a 2018 MiLB Phillies Organization All Star.[2] Grullón also won the 2018 Eastern League Home Run Derby.[7]
Grullón started 2019 with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs of the Triple-AInternational League, batting .283/.354/.496, with 21 home runs (5th in the league) and 77 RBIs (tied for 4th), as well as 133 strikeouts (4th), in 407 at bats.[8][9] He was named a 2019 International League All Star.[2]Baseball America ranked Grullón the team's 12th-best prospect, and MLB Pipeline ranked him the Phillies 19th-best prospect while grading his arm as a 65 out of 80.[4] He is known for having a very strong arm.[10]
On September 1, 2019, the Phillies selected Grullón's contract, promoting him to the big leagues.[11][12] He made his MLB debut on September 22 versus the Cleveland Indians as a pinch hitter for Jay Bruce and remained in the game as the designated hitter.[13] Grullón's 2019 Phillies stat line included one hit (a double) in nine at bats.[14] In 2020, Grullón did not make an appearance with the Phillies and was designated for assignment on August 31.[15]
Boston Red Sox
On September 3, 2020, Grullón was claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox.[16] He was added to Boston's active roster on September 8,[17] and made his first appearance with the Red Sox that day, registering a hit and an RBI against the Phillies.[18] It was Grullón's only appearance with the 2020 Red Sox,[14] as he was optioned back to the team's alternate training site the next day.[17]
Cincinnati Reds
On December 23, 2020, Grullón was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds.[19] On April 3, 2021, Grullón was designated for assignment following the waiver claim of Beau Taylor.[20][21]
Tampa Bay Rays
On April 6, 2021, Grullón was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Rays.[22] He was assigned to the Triple-A Durham Bulls. On April 24, Grullón was designated for assignment by the Rays.[23]
New York Mets
On April 28, 2021, Grullón was claimed off waivers by the New York Mets.[24] He was assigned to the Triple-A Syracuse Mets, and hit .146/.167/.341 with 2 home runs and 8 RBI in 11 games. On May 18, Grullón was designated for assignment by the Mets following the promotion of Wilfredo Tovar, without having appeared for the team.[25]
Tampa Bay Rays (second stint)
On May 22, 2021, Grullón was again claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Rays and was assigned to Triple-A Durham.[26][27] On June 11, Grullón was again designated for assignment by Tampa Bay after the team acquired Matt Wisler.[28] He had not made an appearance with the Rays at the time of his designation. He was outrighted to Durham on June 13.[29] In 21 games with the Bulls, Grullón batted .226/.347/.532 with 6 home runs and 12 RBI.
Chicago White Sox
On July 15, 2021, Grullón was traded to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for cash considerations.[30] Grullón made 11 appearances for the Triple-A Charlotte Knights, hitting .200 with 2 home runs and 5 RBI's. On August 31, Grullón was released by the White Sox.[31]
Boston Red Sox (second stint)
On March 16, 2022, Grullón signed a minor-league contract with the Boston Red Sox.[32][33] In 20 games for the Triple–A Worcester Red Sox, he batted .250/.318/.500 with 3 home runs and 13 RBI. Grullón elected free agency following the season on November 10.[34]