TAP FOR 6 MONTHS OF PREMIUM FREE 💰
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

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
Compare Any Players
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 draft tools and 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
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

NBA

Chris Paul Traded to Toronto, Will Not Play For Team
Coby White

Sent to Charlotte in Trade
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Out Until at Least the All-Star Break
Jared McCain

Moving From Philadelphia to Oklahoma City
Khris Middleton

Landing in Dallas
Anthony Davis

Traded to the Wizards
CFB

Sam Leavitt to be Limited In Spring Practice
Jordan Love

Avoids Offseason Surgery
Bligh Madris

Cardinals Sign Bligh Madris to Minor-League Deal
Mickey Gasper

Red Sox Claim Mickey Gasper Off Waivers From Nationals
Yanquiel Fernández

Yankees Claim Yanquiel Fernandez Off Waivers From Rockies
Michael Fulmer

Signs Minor-League Deal With Giants
Grant Taylor

to Transition Back to Starting Role in 2027?
Framber Valdez

Pirates Emerging as Suitor for Framber Valdez
Tayler Scott

Signs Minor-League Deal With Braves
Max Clark

Receives Invite to Big-League Camp
Kevin McGonigle

Tigers Invite Shortstop Prospect Kevin McGonigle to Spring Training
Marcell Ozuna

Pirates Showing Interest in Marcell Ozuna
Brandon Drury

Royals Sign Brandon Drury to Minor-League Deal
Rhett Lowder

Could be Mid-Rotation Starter For Reds in 2026
Gunnar Henderson

Works on Speed in Offseason
Matt Fitzpatrick

Back in Action at WM Phoenix Open
Sahith Theegala

Riding Hot Start Into WM Phoenix Open
J.J. Spaun

Looks to Regain Form at WM Phoenix Open
Viktor Hovland

a Volatile Option at WM Phoenix Open
Rasmus Hojgaard

Aims to Build on Solid Start to 2026
Brian Harman

Looks to Find Form at WM Phoenix Open
Daniel Berger

Has the Tools to Go One Step Higher at Scottsdale
Max Greyserman

Searching for Consistency at WM Phoenix Open
Jake Knapp

Wants Revenge at WM Phoenix Open
CFB

Joey Aguilar Granted Temporary Restraining Order Against NCAA
Joel Dahmen

Carrying Momentum Into WM Phoenix Open
Corey Conners

Unlikely to Contend at Scottsdale
Mathew Barzal

Plays Key Role in Comeback Victory
Sepp Straka

Seeks a Rebound After The American Express
Sebastian Aho

Bags Three Points in Tuesday's Win
Jordan Spieth

Healthy Heading to WM Phoenix Open
Darren Raddysh

Extends Goal Streak to Five Games
Keith Mitchell

Building Momentum for Event in Scottsdale
Nikita Kucherov

Posts Second Straight Four-Point Game
Travis Konecny

Extends Multi-Point Streak Tuesday
Ramón Urías

Red Sox Have "Lukewarm" Interest in Ramon Urias
Tom Hoge

The Tom Hoge Roller Coaster Heads to Scottsdale for WM Phoenix Open
Elvis Merzlikins

Earns First Shutout of the Season
Josiah Gray

Could Earn Opening Day Start
Filip Chytil

Dealing With Migranes
Luis García Jr.

Luis Garcia Jr. a Candidate to Play First Base?
Rickie Fowler

Worth a Look at WM Phoenix Open
Jakob Marsee

Marlins Have Approached Jakob Marsee About Contract Extension
Jeremy Sochan

Out Wednesday
Jordan Leasure

was Almost Traded to Red Sox
Mike Conley

Not Expected to Remain in Chicago
Freddy Peralta

Carson Benge was Not Considered in Trade With Brewers
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder, Keon Ellis Available for Cavaliers Wednesday
De'Andre Hunter

Available for Kings Debut Wednesday
Josh Hart

Hurt in Blowout Win
Seattle Mariners

Ryan Sloan a Budding Arm in Seattle's System
LeBron James

Expects to Stay With Lakers Until End of Season
Mick Abel

Can Mick Abel Take the Next Step in the Major Leagues?
Derrick Jones Jr.

Off the Injury Report
Scotty Pippen Jr.

Tagged as Doubtful for Wednesday
Santi Aldama

Uncertain to Suit Up Wednesday
Domantas Sabonis

Questionable for Wednesday
Russell Westbrook

Available Wednesday Night
Darius Garland

Traded to Clippers
James Harden

Traded to Cavaliers
Payton Pritchard

Drops to Second Unit Tuesday
Amir Coffey

Starting Tuesday
Nick Foligno

Set to Return Wednesday
Dante Fabbro

Returns From Six-Game Absence
Kirill Marchenko

Out Tuesday
Bryan Rust

Returns to Penguins Lineup
Jack Hughes

Misses Second Straight Game
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Out for Olympics
Anthony Cirelli

to Miss Olympics
Xander Schauffele

Making Second Appearance at Phoenix Open
Collin Morikawa

Needs a Bounce-Back at Waste Management Phoenix Open
Hideki Matsuyama

Has a Shot to Challenge at the Waste Management Phoenix Open
Max Homa

Playing Well Heading to Waste Management Phoenix Open
Ben Griffin

Will Need to Find Approach Game to Compete in Phoenix
Michael Penix Jr.

Matt Ryan Not Committing to Michael Penix Jr. as the Starting QB
NASCAR

Billy Horschel Unlikely to Right the Ship in Phoenix
Nick Schmaltz

Leads Mammoth to Victory Monday
Roman Josi

Has Four Assists in Huge Comeback Win
Quinn Hughes

Records Hat Trick of Assists
Filip Chytil

Misses Third Period Monday
Daemon Hunt

Injured In Monday's Win
Zach Benson

Suffers Upper-Body Injury Monday
Sam Bennett

Exits Early Monday
Matthew Stafford

Doesn't Need Offseason Back Surgery
CFB

Joey Aguilar Files New Lawsuit Against NCAA Seeking Sixth Year of Eligibility
Davante Adams

Expected to Return to Rams in 2026
Los Angeles Rams

Rams Sign Sean McVay, Les Snead to Contract Extensions
Diego Lopes

Outclassed At UFC 325
Alexander Volkanovski

Dominates Diego Lopes
Dan Hooker

Stopped In The Second Round
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Extends His Win Streak
Rafael Fiziev

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
MMA

Maurício Ruffy Gets Back In The Win Column
San Francisco 49ers

49ers Set to Name Raheem Morris Their Defensive Coordinator
Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Close to Naming Klint Kubiak the Next Head Coach
Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals Finalizing Deal to Make Mike LaFleur the Next Head Coach
CFB

Gus Malzahn Retiring from Coaching
Breece Hall

Jets Want to Re-Sign Breece Hall, Could Use Franchise Tag
Diego Lopes

An Underdog At UFC 325
Alexander Volkanovski

Set For UFC 325 Main Event
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Dan Hooker

Set For UFC 325 Co-Main Event
Mauricio Ruffy

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Rafael Fiziev

Returns At UFC 325
CFB

Texas Lands Wake Forest Transfer Sterling Berkhalter
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF