Yankees: Didi Gregorius meteoric rise to fantasy stardom

By Brad Kelly | Sep 20, 2017

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 17: Didi Gregorius #18 of the New York Yankees celebrates his second inning home run against the Baltimore Orioles with teammates Matt Holliday #17 at Yankee Stadium on September 17, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

Didi Gregorius is having a career-best season for the Yankees. But, where does his fantasy value go heading into next season?

The Yankees have just about assured their spot in the playoffs this season, albeit the wildcard or division. Players such as Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, and Luis Severino rightfully get their praise for a majority of the team’s success, but Didi Gregorius has proven to be the Yankees best player this season.

On both sides of the ball, Gregorius has been the Yankees’ MVP. Judge has certainly carried the club on offense but had his slump. Sanchez is easily the best offensive catcher in the game, yet battled injuries and continues to struggle with his defense. Severino emerged as the team’s much-needed ace but does not affect the game on an everyday game that Gregorius has.

For those fantasy owners that were willing to pick and stash Didi while he missed all but three games in April, his return on investment has been incredible. Gregorius currently sits with a .291/25 HR/84 RBI/.820 OPS line over 127 games. By eclipsing the 25 HR mark, Gregorius also set the franchise high for a shortstop.

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For a player that had questions surrounding his while he was with the Diamondbacks, his adjustments made with the Yankees has turned him into one of the rare 20+ HR threats from the SS spot.

Heading into next season, Gregorius has cemented himself as a top-five fantasy SS. There was a sentiment in the fantasy community that Gregorius’ then career-best line in 2016, .276/20 HR/70 RBI/.751 OPS, was the ceiling of his offensive production. Yet, if we dig deeper into his batted ball data, his consistency is the key to his success and what continues to propel him.

In 2016 he posted, 19% LD, 40% GB, 40% FB, 56% Med, and 25% Hard contact rates.

In 2017 he is posting, 19% LD. 37% GB, 44% FB, 53% Med, and 23% Hard contact rates.

Both lines are very close in production, with the slight bump in his FB rate is helping his HR rate. Another area of strength for Didi is his ability to hold his own versus LHP. In 2016, he handled them to the tune of a .324 AVG. This season it has regressed to a .266 clip, which is still respectable and offers a good showing of his improved bat skill.

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Gregorius has quieted the doubters and will now settle in as a top-tier fantasy shortstop. After guys like Trea Turner, Corey Seager, Carlos Correa, and Francisco Lindor go off the board in fantasy drafts next season, Gregorius should be the next man taken at the position.

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