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Dodgers: Five Overlooked and Undervalued Players

By Hector Ponce

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 26: Logan Forsythe #11 and Yasmani Grandal #9 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate their runs, from a Chase Utley #26 double, to trail 5-4 to the Minnesota Twins during the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium on July 26, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 26: Logan Forsythe #11 and Yasmani Grandal #9 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate their runs, from a Chase Utley #26 double, to trail 5-4 to the Minnesota Twins during the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium on July 26, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – AUGUST 24: Yasmani Grandal
PITTSBURGH, PA – AUGUST 24: Yasmani Grandal /

Yasmani Grandal

The switch-hitting catcher has had a hot and cold relationship with the fan base. For how productive and reliable he has been, you hardly ever see people wearing his number 9 jersey around Chavez Ravine. You also hardly ever hear anybody talk about him. The fans and media overlook his production and value.

Grandal is about to complete his 3rd season with the team. I am not sure why fans just seem to ignore him. Maybe it’s because he was traded for a fan-favorite Matt Kemp. Or maybe because he stole the spot from another favorite in AJ Ellis. He has been productive in his time with the Dodgers. He even tied for the team lead in homers last season.

He has been a staple in the middle of the order. When Grandal is swinging a hot stick, he is one of the most dangerous forces in the lineup. This year the 28-year-old has improved his AVG as he is hitting .256 and has quietly hit 18 home-runs. Yaz is a very streaky player but has minimized that this season and become a bit more consistent.

But perhaps the most impressive facet of his game is defense. He is among the league’s best defensive catchers. Grandal is a top pitch-framer and pitch-caller. This season he has even been overshadowed at his own position on his own team. Austin Barnes has had a breakout season causing some fans to call for Grandal’s benching.

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