Grichuk's latest win sends the 2009 draft back into focus

Wheeler now leads that first-round pitching group in WAR.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Sep 151 min read

Randal Grichuk helped the @WhiteSox win another game last night, which prompted me to look back at the 2009 @MLB Draft. Via @jonmorosi on X

What happened: Randal Grichuk's role in another Monday night victory prompted a fresh look at the 2009 MLB Draft. That review identified Zack Wheeler as the career Baseball-Reference WAR leader among first-round pitchers from the class.

Why it matters: The comparison shifts the conversation from draft-night billing to long-run value. It also links Grichuk's current production to a class still shaping how baseball measures staying power.

What to watch: Watch whether Wheeler widens that margin before the season ends and whether Grichuk keeps extending his late-season push.

Sources

@jonmorosi 2026-09-15T17:57:49.339008+00:00

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