January 4, 2019

New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius has seen his OPS+ jump in each of the last five seasons and hit 25 home runs in each of the last two seasons. He had an .829 OPS with 89 runs scored and 86 RBI as well last season, stealing 10 bases and putting up a top-10 performance at SS. Unfortunately, though, Gregorius underwent Tommy John surgery and will be out throughout most of the first half. The 2018 season was a roller coaster for Gregorius, who posted a 1.156 OPS in April before posting a .396 OPS in May. Fortunately for fantasy owners, his OPS rose in each of the next five months of the season, up to .940 in Sept/Oct, where he hit five home runs in just 61 plate appearances. Still, Gregorius had a career-high with a 36% hard-hit rate and was a bit unlucky with a .259 BABIP. A lot of the value for Gregorius comes from how he heals from his surgery, which likely will see him back in the lineup for the second half. There is still a very good chance that he is a top-10 SS from the time that he returns; the question is if his return will be in June, July, or later. The Yankees value Gregorius as much for his arm and fielding as they do for his bat, so they will not rush him back from his elbow injury. Still, he is a hot and cold player that is a matchup winner when healthy and is a perfect stash in the mid-to-later rounds of head to head leagues.--Chris Zolli