Dodgers News: Yasmani Grandal in ‘The Best Shape’ of His Career
Spring training is about to begin, so cue the “Player X is in the best shape of his life” stories.
In this edition, Yasmani Grandal is “smaller and stronger,” as he told Alanna Rizzo on Friday.
Roberts told us this is the best shape he's seen @YazmanianDVL08 in. #Dodgers
— AlaNNa Rizzo (@alannarizzo) February 17, 2017
.@YazmanianDVL08 has switched to a plant based diet. He's lighter. Told me, "Smaller & Stronger". Hasn't lost any strength. #Dodgers
— AlaNNa Rizzo (@alannarizzo) February 17, 2017
Grandal is coming off a strong season in which he hit 27 homers with 77 RBI. Batting average is often Grandal’s most pertinent criticism, and despite the lofty power, he hit just .228 in 2016. He’s hit .226 since 2013.
Still, the 28-year-old was an NL all-star in 2015, and has grown into one of the better catchers in the game, both in hitting and defense. In fact, he’s considered one of the best framers in baseball.
[graphiq id=”aplNAdK2rxb” title=”Yasmani Grandal Career Batting Triple Slash” width=”640″ height=”570″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/aplNAdK2rxb” ]If Grandal’s physical adjustments have a positive effect on his average without sapping his power, he’ll continue blossoming as a premier player at the position.
