Next up on the All-Value All-Star team is our first outfielder, and while we thought he would be better this season than last, very few people saw this kind of season coming out of Curtis Granderson. You can find the other All-Value All-Stars here:
Catcher - Alex Avila
First Baseman - Michael Morse
Second Baseman - Danny Espinosa
Shortstop - Asdrubal Cabrera
Third Baseman - Ryan Roberts
Coming Into The Season
Granderson had been a bit of a disappointment to his owners in 2010, as his owners had expected him to own New Yankee Stadium and put up even better numbers than in Detroit. While his season was solid with 24 home runs, his owners didn't get the player who had hit 30 homers and stolen 20 bases in 2009. ESPN had him ranked as their #28 outfielder at the start of the season, making him a starter in all leagues.
His Performance To Date
Through Tuesday's games, Granderson had posted a .278/.370/.597 line with 25 home runs, 62 runs batted in, 15 stolen bases, and a league leading 77 runs scored. He has already passed last season's totals in home runs, runs scored, stolen bases, and needs just 5 more RBI to match that number. He is currently the #2 outfielder in Yahoo, behind only Matt Kemp on the season.
Can He Continue This Performance?
While I believe there could be a bit of regression (he is currently on pace for 48 home runs, 150 runs scored, 121 RBI, and 29 SB), I think he definitely reaches 40 home runs, 25 stolen bases, and 130 runs scored. Looking at his advanced metrics, his walk and strikeout rates have both climbed this season, and his BABIP is right at .301. The only number that seems likely to have a substantial regression is his HR/FB%, which is currently at 21% versus a career rate of 14%. Other than that, he should be a top-10 outfielder for the rest of the season.