Five games ahead with 25 to go. Who could have predicted this? Not even the little Mets fan down the street would have thought the Mets could stand ahead of Washington during September. There have been a series of factors that have led to the demise of the Nationals and the rise of the Mets, however, one of the most prominent factors in this Cinderella season has been the rejuvenation of everyone’s favorite politically-correct outfielder: Curtis Granderson. So let’s take a look at the conspiracy theorist’s season so far and how this has been accomplished.
Granderson has long been known to put up numbers that could be considered confusing. With his high strikeout totals come dangerous power, including gap-to-gap line-drives that have been used to create a high total of doubles. Last season Granderson struggled to be effective in either of these categories, but the strikeouts came easily. This season Granderson has been able to pull the ball with authority which has already led to 23 home runs compared to just 20 in all of last season. For a better perspective, Granderson had 128 hits (49 for extra bases) in all of last season; this season he has produced 131 hits with 54 going for extra bases in over 50 less plate appearances than 2014.
In addition to his excellent rebound year, he has basically been the savior of a lineup that otherwise did not have a punch. Many will say that the Mets offense was the worst in the business from May 2nd until July 24th. The team failed to produce an OPS that was north of .700 over that span and were simply unable to score for their amazing pitching staff. The one piece that held them together for that span? Curtis Granderson. Over that same stretch he produced a big-league slash line of .253/.335/.443.
While these numbers aren’t flashy, he single-handedly carried an offense that had no David Wright, no Travis d’Arnaud, a punch-less Lucas Duda, and at times no Daniel Murphy. He has a .915 OPS in the second half of this season, to go along with a .530 slugging percentage and .286 average.
So how has he been able to accomplish this? It’s quite simple. Granderson has simply reverted back to having normal luck. In baseball, it is commonly considered that major league average in terms of BABIP is .300, and Granderson produced a .265 BABIP in 2014. His career average is right around league average at .301, which was ultimately giving him great results over the course of his career.
This season his BABIP increased over 40 points to a .306 clip. In addition, he has been able to flip his numbers around from last season in terms of splits. Last season, Granderson was less than impressive against right-handed pitching to the tune of a .220/.324/.379 slash line. While he has drastically cut his production against lefties, he has completely mashed right-handers with an OPS that exceeds .900 (.288/.389/.522 slash line).
In addition to improving his offense, Granderson has changed his defensive prowess in comparison to last season. In 2014, he produced an abysmal -1.2 dWAR to go along with zero defensive runs saved in right field. This season, however, Granderson has been able to produce a .7 dWar to go along with 13 defensive runs saved in right field.
Overall, the 34-year old has completely changed the minds of Mets fans with his continued improvement in production. Many people will complain about his strikeouts and diminishing speed, but it will be a useless argument. He has stabilized an otherwise underperforming outfielder (before the arrival of Yoenis Cespedes). It remains unknown if he will continue this production over the final two years of the contract, but one thing is certain, Granderson has earned his money this year.
I am so glad to have been wrong about Curtis this season! I feared a horrible year punctuated by a 4 week hot streak, but he has been a positive influence on the team and delivered some timely hitting. Great year, Curtis!
Glad to have him on our team. Still wish he didn’t have to bat lead-off though. All those doubles and homers could have driven in a lot of runs. I really hoped Lagares would establish himself as a lead-off hitter. Maybe someone else can step into that role next year and allow Grandy to move down in the lineup to 5th or 6th sandwiched between 2 righties.
I actually think that batting Granderson leadoff has been a stroke of genius. Scoring a lot of runs for the Mets, getting on base at a good clip, and I don’t think there was a reasonable second choice.
I was not in favor of it at the beginning, and definitely questioned it in the middle.
But now I think it was the right call and had a positive effect on the season.
The Grandyman has changed my mind. I even like his commercials now.
I’m torn as I have always thought his RBI total would have been higher batting 3rd or 5th.
off topic from Curtis’ home runs, did anyone see this?
495 foot estimate home run from Kris Bryant. this is so exciting for baseball. 111.5mph off his bat and 30 degrees; smack off the scoreboard. Wow!
http://network.yardbarker.com/author/article_external/19494256?headline=visualizing_kris_bryants_495_foot_home_run&sport_name=mlb
Julian, I enjoyed the clear way you presented how Granderson has rebounded from 2014. Nice job.
Curtis did carry the team when the cupboard was bare of runs but I didn’t like the Mets best home run hitter leading off. The “new” Mets of Wright, TDA, Cespedes,and Conforto with bench players Johnson and Uribe makes it perfect sense to bat him lead off in this line up.
Granderson has had a great year and has changed my mind.
His season has changed lots of peoples minds, including myself. He has the postseason experience (albeit not very successful) so he could lead this team through to a deep playoff run.