Granderson a Top 20 Outfielder?
By Blake VandeBunte • Dec 16th, 2009 • Category: Curtis GrandersonI live in Connecticut. There are Yankee fans around every corner. When I am back in Michigan for family functions, the most knowledgable sports fan around is my cousin, Rob. Rob is a Yankee fan. Needless to say, I hear plenty about the Yankees. So, when the Tigers dealt Granderson to the Yankees last week, I had more than a few conversations about Curtis. My cousin commented via email, that he was excited about the Yankees getting one of the twenty best outfielders in the game. Twenty seems like a lot, but there are three starting outfielders for each big league team and some usually DH. That should give us about 100 big league caliber outfielders. Is Granderson for sure in the top 20? Let’s take a look…
Where Granderson ranked amongst outfielders in 2009:
- Hits: 22nd behind Chris Coghlan and Scott Podsednik
- Runs: 16th behind Jacoby Ellsbury and Andre Ethier
- Doubles: 56th behind Rajai Davis and David Murphy
- Triples: 8th behind Dexter Fowler and Michael Bourn
- Home Runs: 7th behind Andre Ethier and Nelson Cruz
- Stolen Bases: 20th behind Alexis Rios and Brett Gardner
- Batting Average: 69th behind Gary Matthews and Felix Pie
- OBP: 60th behind Mitch Maier and Jeremy Hermida
- SLG: 31st behind Matt Diaz and Cody Ross
- Xtra Base Hits: 17th behind Cody Ross and Shin Soo-Choo
Okay, so that’s last season. Many out there would consider this too small of a sample. So let’s look at the last three seasons (2007-09):
- AVG: 29th
- HR: 9th
- 2B: 29th
- 3B: 1st
- SB: 18th
- OBP: 28th
- SLG: 12th
- Hits: 10th
- Runs: 1st
- Xtra Base Hits: 2nd
Okay, so that looks a lot better doesn’t it? It really helps put Granderson’s disappointing 2009 season in context. This only looks at offense, though. Defense is notoriously difficult to judge so the amount of data I have is limited.
From 2006-2008, Granderson was the 8th best centerfielder in baseball according to John Dewan’s +/- ratings for players in the field. In many ways, Granderson took a step back defensively in 2009. His range factor numbers were down. He was still better than league average, but he still regressed a bit last season.
So, is Curtis Granderson a top 20 big league outfielder? I’m going to hold my tongue. What do you think?
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If you base it on the last three years, then I think he’s a top ten outfielder. If you base it on last year, he’s probably not even top 20. What matters is what he’ll do in the future. I think he will be in the top 20 the next couple of years and then start his real decline.
Lee
Top 20. For sure.
Even when he “struggled” last year, I would have considered him around #20. He’s a top notch defender, has real speed on the bases, and can crank out 30 dingers in a pitcher’s park.
So yes, i think he’s top 20, and Yankee stadium and terrific lineup protection will probably make him look top 10 before next season is over.
I think I agree with Lee. Granderson was not a top 20 guy last season. While he hit 30 homers last season, his other numbers were down across the board and only 10 of those homers came in Detroit. I think Yankee Stadium should help him.
I’m not sure how he’ll do next year. Should be interesting to watch.
“When I am back in Michigan for family functions, the most knowledgable sports fan around is my cousin, Rob.”
I don’t think I know more than your Dad…. but I def know more than Alida.
Anyway, yes, Granderson is a top 20 outfielder. The last time I checked you don’t measure how good a guy is on one single season….its all about sample size, as you mentioned.
Even if he was border line last year, or a top 20 or top 10 over the last three years, moving to NYY will help ALL his stats. I mean, look at CoPa’s outfield and look at Yankee Stadium’s outfield. Defensively, He won’t even need to run more than a trot to get to anything. Offensively, his HR total will go up (thanks to the guys who built the pill box…er…new Yankee Stadium). He will also have the opportunity to score a lot more runs with an offense that is going to put up 900-950 runs. Those long doubles he had to center turn into home runs and those singles turn into runs with the lineup he will be playing with.
We will welome Granderson with open arms….and, eventually, an open checkbook.
I think he was a top 20 but not a top 10. I also believe he will be better in New York. He should also move away from the leadoff spot. His obp isn’t great for a leadoff hitter and he strikeouts a lot and he can’t hit lefties.
“His obp isn’t great for a leadoff hitter and he strikeouts a lot and he can’t hit lefties.”
Why exactly would you say he’s a top 20 guy then?
His doubles, triples, home runs are all good. He is a good defender. He has good speed. All are good reasons to believe he is a top 20 outfielder. I just don’t think he should be a leadoff hitter. He should be batting around 5th in the lineup or in the Yankee lineup 3rd in front of Gay Rod and Teixiera.
I have to say the Scott Podsednik signing was easily the best signing GMDM has had yet