Dodgers: Four Players Who Stepped Up in Month of May

Yasmani Grandal

Earlier this year, I predicted that Yasmani Grandal would bat at least .290 and Joc Pederson would hit 25 home runs and bat at least .275. Though the latter is yet to follow through, Grandal has shown signs of achieving the .290 mark in May.

After a slow start in April, he’s only done the opposite in May. He’s hitting a scalding .351, with a pair of home runs and 16 RBI. He had a nine-game hitting streak snapped by a pinch-hit appearance but proceeded to follow that up with another nine-game hitting streak.

Although Grandal claims he has no idea why he’s hitting so well all of a sudden, the cause can be traced back to Spring Training. He loosened his grip and brought his hands a little closer to his body.

However, there was a lot of movement which generated weak or no contact. He still kept the same adjustments and quieted his hands, which have given him more bat control. Though the power numbers are down, hitting in the .350s is a good way to make up for it.

Unfortunately, Grandal’s due to cool off at some point, especially since he’s an everyday catcher. Still, if he keeps the adjustments and continues progress with his swing, the .290 mark is not an outlandish prediction.