X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Join the Best Live Fantasy Chat Community!

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

ADP Champs or Chumps: Yasmani Grandal & Rougned Odor

Isn't it amazing? We spend the entire offseason hatching grand plans about how we are going to dominate our leagues. No detail is left unexplored. When Opening Day comes around, we are mentally prepared to treat it as the first step in our inevitable march toward fantasy immortality.

Then, a few games are played and all of our preparation goes out the proverbial window. Tanaka got rocked! Stanton didn't hit a homer! My year is over! As much as we seem to enjoy fretting about our stars, we also take more notice of strong performances on Opening Day than we would on some random date in June.

Four different players hit two homers in their club's opener. One of them was a pitcher whose offensive statistics don't matter in fantasy. Another was Khris Davis, who I offered an opinion on during the offseason. That leaves catcher Yasmani Grandal and second sacker Rougned Odor for the analysis below. Let's get started!

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and weekly lineup resources:

 

The Fantasy Jury is Out

Yasmani Grandal (C, LAD) ADP: 147.5

It would be pointless to analyze a one game sample, so I'll use 2016 data until 2017 numbers become more relevant. Grandal's .228/.339/.477 triple slash line in 2016 wasn't spectacular, but 27 bombs in just 457 PAs caught everyone's attention. Grandal always flashed power, but he was more of a 25 homer guy until last year. What happened?

He did a lot to improve his power profile, actually. He hit a few more flies (37.3 percent FB% in 2015, 39.2 percent last year) and made them count with a HR/FB surge (16.3 percent in 2015 to 25.2 percent last year). HR/FB can be difficult to trust, but Grandal's spike seems mostly real. It is easiest to pull home runs, and Grandal pulled a lot more flies (27.1 percent) than he did the previous year (18.4 percent). Statcast also trusts his power, as Grandal's 13.9 percent Brls/BBE ranked 20th in all of MLB last year. He may not have a 25 percent HR/FB again, but Grandal seems to have taken his power game to another level.

Grandal's .228 average last year was poor, but the underlying .250 BABIP may inspire some to bet on a rebound. Don't. Grandal is vulnerable to the shift (.227 when shift was on, .289 when it wasn't), allergic to line drives (17.9 percent career LD%, 16.1 percent last year), and runs like the catcher he is. His career BABIP is .274, and I'd be shocked if it is even that high in 2017. He also struck out 25.4 percent of the time last year, further dragging down his average.

Thankfully, that stat should regress in his favor. Grandal has an excellent eye, posting a 14 percent BB% backed by a 23.3 percent O-Swing%. He is so patient that he frequently watches strike three go by, dooming him to a higher K% than his SwStr% seems to support. Still, his 10.1 percent SwStr% is nowhere near bad enough to sustain a K-rate over 25 percent.

Grandal hit seventh on Opening Day, suggesting that LA's endless depth may rob him of the counting stat opportunities a hitter of his caliber would get on another team. The net result is a talented, yet flawed, fantasy asset. Most of his owners paid for him accordingly, so he gets a Champ tag.

Verdict: Champ

 

Roughned Odor (2B, TEX) ADP: 43.3

I had no idea Odor was this popular on Draft Day. His 33 bombs and 14 steals combined for a nice fantasy package, but his .271 average wasn't special, his .296 OBP was terrible, and his seven CS took a big bite out of his value in leagues that use Net Steals. His 66 percent success rate also means that he probably won't run as often in 2017, especially if Texas stays in the race. If that is the case, all he has is power.

Odor's power seems similar to Grandal's at first. He had a modest increase in FB% (39.7 percent to 42.2 percent) relative to the year before, making most of his gains in the HR/FB department (11.8 percent vs. 17 percent). Unlike Grandal, however, nothing in his profile supports the spike. He pulled an impressive number of fly balls (31.4 percent), but he did that in 2015 too (27.2 percent). Statcast was also unimpressed, as Odor's 8.4 percent Brls/BBE was very meh. The fly ball-heavy profile supports 20 HR or so, but his price requires a lot more to make up for the expected loss of speed.

Did I mention he's a batting average risk? Last year's .297 BABIP was close to the league average despite a low 17.6 percent LD% (career 15.9 percent). He also kept his IFFB% under control for the first time in his young career (8.2 percent last year, career 13.7 percent). Both figures could regress, turning him into a .250 hitter before his atrocious plate discipline is even considered.

His 3 percent BB% was horrific, and the underlying 41.8 percent O-Swing% suggests that it is a fairly accurate representation of Odor's ability. His 21.4 percent K% was league average despite this, but his SwStr% (12 percent) was not as fortunate. His aggressiveness at the plate (54.3 percent Swing%) can help him end PAs before he has a chance to strikeout, but this is the kind of profile that surges to an unacceptable K% in a hurry.

Odor hit 5th on Opening Day, the last batting order slot with any real fantasy value. If he hits like I think he will, he'll lose it before June. Heck, Jurickson Profar may even force him to the bench so speedster Delino DeShields Jr. can play everyday. If you own Odor, all is not lost. His two-homer opener should allow you to trade him for value before everyone realizes just how shaky his profile really is.

Verdict: Chump

 

More Player Outlooks




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Spencer Turnbull38 mins ago

Takes No-No Into Seventh Inning On Friday
Alec Bohm47 mins ago

Blasts Two Bombs On Friday
Elly De La Cruz1 hour ago

Unstoppable Against Angels On Friday
Dak Prescott2 hours ago

Hasn't Started Contract Negotiations With Cowboys
Walker Buehler3 hours ago

Needs Another Rehab Outing
Jake Cronenworth3 hours ago

Returning On Friday
Jhoan Duran3 hours ago

Close To Going On Rehab Assignment
Duncan Robinson4 hours ago

Will Play Against Chicago
Andre Drummond4 hours ago

Available For Play-In Matchup
Ayo Dosunmu4 hours ago

Good To Face Miami
Alex Caruso4 hours ago

Cleared For Friday Night
Ian Happ5 hours ago

Exits With Hamstring Tightness On Friday
Framber Valdez5 hours ago

Plays Catch Friday
MLB5 hours ago

Rockies-Mariners Postponed On Friday
Bobby McMann6 hours ago

Could Play In Postseason Opener
Calle Jarnkrok6 hours ago

Practices Friday
William Nylander6 hours ago

Doesn't Practice Friday
Owen White6 hours ago

Rangers Option Jack Leiter, Call Up Owen White
Jean-Gabriel Pageau6 hours ago

Listed As Day-To-Day
Aaron Ekblad6 hours ago

Back For Game 1 Sunday
Zach Wilson6 hours ago

Not At Voluntary Workouts
Noah Dobson6 hours ago

Returning For Game 1
Dean Wade6 hours ago

Ruled Out For Game 1
Max Domi6 hours ago

Ready To Go For Game 1
Giannis Antetokounmpo6 hours ago

Not Participating In Live Practice
DJ LeMahieu7 hours ago

Not Ready For Rehab Assignment
Kyle Freeland7 hours ago

Rockies Place Kyle Freeland On 15-Day Injured List
De'Anthony Melton7 hours ago

Remains Sidelined For Game 1
Joel Embiid7 hours ago

Deemed Questionable For Game 1 Against Knicks
Tobias Harris7 hours ago

76ers Expected To Part Ways This Summer
Alex Caruso7 hours ago

Expects To Play Against Heat
Ricky Tiedemann7 hours ago

Undergoes MRI For Elbow Discomfort
Jayden Daniels8 hours ago

Not Interested In Playing In D.C.?
Rafael Devers8 hours ago

Remains Sidelined Friday
Brent Rooker8 hours ago

A's Activate Brent Rooker From Injured List
DJ Chark Jr.9 hours ago

Visits With Chargers
Courtland Sutton9 hours ago

Broncos Not Concerned With Courtland Sutton
Alex Cobb22 hours ago

To Throw On Flat Ground On Friday
Ryne Nelson22 hours ago

Has Elbow Contusion
Kirby Yates22 hours ago

Strengthens Grip On Closer Role
Brandon Ingram24 hours ago

Has "A Great Practice" On Thursday
Ryne Nelson24 hours ago

Removed From Start After Taking Comebacker To The Wrist
Max Scherzer1 day ago

Rangers Hopeful Max Scherzer Can Return In Early May
Walker Buehler1 day ago

Doesn't Reach Pitch Goal In Rehab Start
Darren Waller1 day ago

Giants Haven't Given Darren Waller A Deadline For His Decision
J.K. Dobbins1 day ago

"Should Be" Ready For Training Camp
Trevor Lawrence1 day ago

Jaguars Making Progress On Extension For Trevor Lawrence
Zach Collins1 day ago

To Undergo Surgery
Duncan Robinson1 day ago

Probable Versus Chicago
Terry Rozier1 day ago

Out Again On Friday Evening
Jimmy Butler1 day ago

Out Several Weeks
Andre Drummond1 day ago

Back On The Injury Report
Ayo Dosunmu1 day ago

Questionable Against The Heat
Alex Caruso1 day ago

Questionable For Friday Night
Justus Annunen1 day ago

Starting On Thursday
Dustin Wolf1 day ago

Starting Thursday's Series Finale
Devin Cooley1 day ago

To Start Regular Season Finale
Sidney Crosby1 day ago

To Discuss Extension With Penguins
Rasmus Ristolainen1 day ago

Undergoes Triceps Surgery
Washington Commanders1 day ago

Commanders Won't Trade Down From No. 2 Pick
NFL1 day ago

NFL Reinstates Five Suspended Players On Thursday
Zay Flowers1 day ago

Won't Face Discipline From NFL
Washington Commanders1 day ago

Commanders "Feel Great About Staying At No. 2"
Jayden Daniels1 day ago

Vikings To Meet With Jayden Daniels On Thursday
Buffalo Bills1 day ago

Terrel Bernard Feels Good Health-Wise
Nick Chubb1 day ago

Running On Land
New England Patriots1 day ago

Patriots "Open For Business" On Trades For NFL Draft
Andrew Wiggins2 days ago

To Be On The Trade Block In Offseason
Damian Lillard2 days ago

Expected To Log Full Practice On Friday
Kawhi Leonard2 days ago

Clippers "Preparing" To Have Kawhi Leonard Available In Game 1
Dougie Hamilton2 days ago

Could Have Returned For Playoffs
Nikita Kucherov2 days ago

Reaches 100 Assists
Auston Matthews2 days ago

Fails To Score Goal No. 70 Wednesday
J.K. Dobbins2 days ago

Planning To Sign With Chargers
Calvin Pickard2 days ago

Getting The Start Wednesday
Matt Tomkins2 days ago

Starting Regular Season Finale Wednesday
Luke Hughes2 days ago

To Play For USA At World Championships
NYI2 days ago

Ruslan Iskhakov Could Make NHL Debut Wednesday
Timo Meier2 days ago

Dealt With MCL, Oblique Injuries In 2023-24
MON2 days ago

Canadiens Exercise Two-Year Option On Martin St. Louis
De'Von Achane2 days ago

Looking Shredded
Brock Bowers2 days ago

Visiting With Chargers
Spencer Rattler2 days ago

Giants Visit With Bo Nix, Spencer Rattler
Adam Hadwin2 days ago

Too Volatile To Touch At RBC Heritage
Kurt Kitayama2 days ago

A Boring Play At RBC Heritage
Tom Kim2 days ago

Heads To Hilton Head Looking For Consistency
Emiliano Grillo2 days ago

Looking To Bounce Back At RBC Heritage
Chris Kirk2 days ago

A Safe Option For RBC Heritage
Adam Schenk2 days ago

Trending Up Ahead of RBC Heritage
Lucas Glover2 days ago

Looks To Reverse Fortune At Harbour Town
Taylor Moore2 days ago

Should Contend At Harbour Town
Max Homa2 days ago

Be Wary Of Max Homas At RBC Heritage
Rickie Fowler3 days ago

In Poor Form Heading To Harbour Town
Eric Cole3 days ago

Out Of Form Heading To RBC Heritage
Sepp Straka3 days ago

Continues Maddening Run Of Inconsistent Play
Keegan Bradley3 days ago

Looking To Get Over The Hump At Harbour Town
Tony Finau3 days ago

Looking To Find Putting Stroke At RBC Heritage
Will Zalatoris3 days ago

Makes Return To Harbour Town
PGA3 days ago

J.T. Poston A Decent Leverage Play With Upside At RBC Heritage
Patrick Cantlay3 days ago

Brings Near-Perfect Course History To Harbour Town
Akshay Bhatia3 days ago

A Perfect Fit For Harbour Town, But Take Caution
Jake Knapp3 days ago

In Solid Form Heading To Harbour Town
Nick Taylor3 days ago

In Bounce-Back Spot At Harbour Town
Justin Rose3 days ago

Searching For Form Heading To RBC Heritage
Royce Freeman3 days ago

Cowboys Sign Royce Freeman To One-Year Deal
Alex Pereira4 days ago

Defends Light-Heavyweight Title At UFC 300
Jamahal Hill4 days ago

Knocked Out At UFC 300
Yan Xiaonan4 days ago

Unsuccessful In Bid To Capture UFC Title
Arman Tsarukyan4 days ago

Edges Out Competitive Decision At UFC 300
Charles Oliveira4 days ago

Drops Decision Matchup
NASCAR4 days ago

Bubba Wallace Finishes Seventh At Texas Motor Speedway
Kyle Busch5 days ago

Earns Top 10 Finish In Backup Car At Texas Motor Speedway
Chase Elliott5 days ago

Emerges Victorious in Texas Race Riddled with Cautions
William Byron5 days ago

Finishes Third at Texas After Wrecking Ross Chastain
Ross Chastain5 days ago

Gets Wrecked on Final Lap at Texas While Battling for the Lead
Kyle Larson5 days ago

Sees Dominant Day Slip Away at Texas Due To Loose Wheel
NASCAR5 days ago

Daniel Suárez the Luckiest Driver at Texas, Scores Top Five
Denny Hamlin5 days ago

Late Spinout Costs Denny Hamlin Likely Second-Place Finish
Ty Gibbs5 days ago

Had Speed at Texas, But Burnt by Pit Crew
Ryan Blaney5 days ago

Was Best Ford Driver Until Wreck With Ryan Preece
Tyler Reddick5 days ago

Earns Hard-Fought Fourth Place Finish At Texas
Austin Dillon5 days ago

Gains His Best Finish Of The Year At Texas
Carson Hocevar5 days ago

Rounds Out Top Ten At Texas
Chase Briscoe5 days ago

Ends Up Sixth At Texas
Christopher Bell5 days ago

Is A Great Tournament Option At Texas
Kyle Busch5 days ago

Starts From the Rear After Texas Practice Crash
Chase Elliott5 days ago

Should Chase Elliott Be Rostered In DFS For Texas?
Ty Gibbs5 days ago

Can Ty Gibbs Score His First Win At Texas?
Cody Brundage5 days ago

Gets Submitted At UFC 300
Todd Gilliland5 days ago

Is A Quality Value Play For Texas
Bo Nickal5 days ago

Remains Undefeated At UFC 300
Denny Hamlin5 days ago

Will Start 11th At Texas On Sunday
Ryan Preece5 days ago

Brings Continued Upside To Texas
Justin Gaethje5 days ago

Gets KO'd At UFC 300
Max Holloway5 days ago

Scores Highlight-Reel KO At UFC 300
Zhang Weili5 days ago

Retains Strawweight Title At UFC 300
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF