ST. LOUIS -- Randal Grichuk didn't know if he got enough of a 3-1 fastball from Arizona pitcher Archie Bradley. From the dugout, manager Mike Matheny thought something sounded just a little off.
Then both of them watched along with more than 41,000 Cardinal faithful as the ball sailed well beyond the wall in right-center field for a 414-foot, opposite-field home run in the second inning of Tuesday night's 6-4 win over Arizona.
That swing showed the rookie outfielder's remarkable strength, but it's far from the only weapon in his game. Two innings later, he brought home Jason Heyward with an RBI single and stole second to get into scoring position with two outs.
"I think you got a little display of what he can do," Matheny said afterward.
Grichuk's first stolen base of the season and first home run since he launched the third pitch he saw this season into the left-field stands in Cincinnati are only a continuation of his recent success at the plate. He's hitting 10 for 27 (.370) with six extra base-hits in his past eight games, which include starts at all three outfield positions.
No matter where he has been stationed, Grichuk has used his speed and athleticism to make outstanding plays. A fully extended dive and outfield assist against the Mets highlighted the defensive prowess of the 2013 Minor League Gold Glove winner.
As Matheny said Tuesday night, Grichuk appears to have the total package.
You can follow Luke Thompson on Twitter at @FS_LukeT or email him at lukegthompson87@gmail.com.
