Up until '08 I saw Granderson as a 4 WARish player. Thats flat-out excellent in its own right, but I believe that Granderson showed GROWTH in 2009.
I love the changes he made in his hitting approach in '09. A new focus on raising his flyball% increased his XBH/HR output and his '09 BABIP was very unlucky. His contact percentage was the HIGHEST of his career at 80.5% (and has been rising 3 years straight).
Heres Curtis Granderson's adjusted 2009 line using his career GB/FB/LD BABIP rates (he gains 11 singles, 7 doubles, and 3 triples):
.282/.360/.507
This is no joke. Granderson's actual BABIP in '09 was .275. His expected BABIP in '09 (using his career BIP marks) was .320. His career BABIP is .321. It doesn't GET more clear cut than this.
What we have here is a rare case of a hitter who somehow both improved AND was dreadfully unluckly in the same season. The beautiful thing is that even Granderson's HR output wasn't lucky in '09 as his career 12.2 HR/FB% proves (12.6% in '09). The rise in HRs was DIRECTLY a result of a rise in flyball%. If the flyball% stays high, the HR output will as well.
Would I want that kind of lefty bat in Safeco with 30 HR power, above average OBP with blazing speed, and awesome D in a corner for $5mil? ... Are you kidding me? Ackley can stay in the minors until next year, and you can trade Granderson in a year or two once hes completely ready.
Something like Morrow+Saunders+Kelley for Granderson+Jackson would fill me with joy like I've never felt since 2001. The Ms would really be in this thing.
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