Dodgers: Projected Opening Day Starting Lineup

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Oct 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal (9) reacts after hitting two run home run during the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs in game three of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

Yasmani Grandal, Catcher

Grandal is entering his 3rd full season with the Dodgers. Last year he had an up and down season, hitting a team-low .228 but was tied for the team lead with 27 Home Runs.

This is the year I think Grandal puts it together.

The switch-hitting catcher has drastic splits against lefties and righties. Last season against left-handed pitching, Grandal hit .224 with only 4 Home Runs. Against righties, Grandal hit .229 with 23 Home Runs. I know, those numbers don’t exactly set the world on fire, but there’s hope.

Grandal had a wOBA of .347 against lefties and .351 against righties last season. Those are both above league average (.320). Now, why did he only hit .228? Well if you look at his .250 Batting Average on Balls in Play (BABIP) last season that shows that Grandal was really unlucky last season. Traditionally, Grandal’s BABIP is right around .284 and being that his hard-hit rate jumped up 9% last season there’s really no reason for why his average dipped other than he was unlucky.

I’m also encouraged by Grandal’s second half splits. Grandal ended the season hitting 15 Home Runs and a .245 average, .876 OBP with a .374 wOBA during the second half. I believe Grandal’s struggles were a little over documented and he’s due for a breakout season.

Projected Stat Line:

.250/30 Home Runs/85 RBI/65 Runs Scored

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