Perhaps the biggest surprise so far in the 2018 season for the Los Angeles Dodgers has been the play of Yasmani Grandal.
He had a rough second half in 2017, resulting in a loss of the starting job behind the plate to Austin Barnes down the stretch of the season and in the postseason. Grandal won the role back with a strong showing in Spring Training, and he’s carried that into the season.
Not only has Grandal been the Dodgers’ best hitter thus far, but one of the best in all of baseball. To some, a reason or explanation is the 29-year-old being due to become a free agent this fall.
Grandal dismissed that notion though, saying that he is solely focused on playing, via Jay Paris of MLB.com:
“I think you guys think about more than I do, to tell you the truth,” he said. “I just want to play. If the numbers are there, that really doesn’t matter. As long as I’m playing, I’m happy.”
In 14 games so far this season, Grandal is hitting .352/.435/.611 with five doubles, three home runs and a team-leading 13 RBI. Going into play Friday, he ranks fourth in the National League in batting average.
Grandal is coming off an outstanding series against the San Diego Padres, his former team, as he went 5-for-15 with three doubles, a grand slam and eight RBI in three games.
Grandal has typically had strong first halves and then cools off in the second half throughout the course of his career, so that will be something to keep an eye on this season. If he continues this sort of production, Grandal should be in line for a lucrative contract.
