9 Bold Fantasy Baseball Predictions for 2019
Yasmani Grandal Will Be the Top Fantasy Catcher
NFBC ADP: 138.20
Position Rank: 6
| Projections | PA | Runs | HR | RBI | SB | AVG | wOBA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Season | 518 | 65 | 24 | 68 | 2 | .241 | .352 |
| THE BAT | 481 | 63 | 24 | 64 | 2 | .234 | .343 |
| Steamer | 488 | 60 | 23 | 66 | 2 | .237 | .345 |
| numberFire | 471 | 61 | 22 | 68 | 2 | .242 | -- |
Saying Yasmani Grandal will lead the position at home runs isn't the most out-on-a-limb pick. He finished second in taters last year among catchers and first in isolated power (.225). He also finished fourth in home runs at the position two seasons ago. The power has been there and likely will be again in 2019.
The switch-hitting catcher can also add to those offensive numbers with a park-factor boost by moving to Milwaukee. According to Baseball Prospectus, Dodger Stadium ranked 14th in home run factor a season ago while Miller Park clocked in 7th.
Don't forget that recent hitters to move to the Brewers haven't fared too badly. We all know what Christian Yelich did in 2018, but don't forget Travis Shaw's exploits, either. Coming over from the Boston Red Sox prior to the 2017 season, Shaw doubled his power output from 16 home runs in 530 plate appearances in 2016 to 31 home runs in 606 plate appearances in 2018.
Grandal, already an elite offensive catcher, will move to the confines of a hitter-friendly environment, and he has the upside to be the position's top performer.
