Padres player profile: C Yasmani Grandal

YASMANI GRANDAL
Catcher
Opening Day Age: 25
Bats: S
Throws: R
Contract Status: Under club control.
2013 Grade: F
2013 Statistics: Hit .216 with one homer and nine RBIs in 88 at-bats in just 28 games.

2013 Review: Grandal started the season serving a 50-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s policy prohibiting performance-enhancing drugs. Grandal tested positive in November of 2012 after hitting .297 with eight homers and 36 RBIs in 192 at-bats as a rookie in 2012. Grandal made his

2012 debut on May 28 and had only three hits in his first 28 at-bats. On July 6, he suffered a season-ending tear to the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in a collision at home plate. He underwent knee reconstruction surgery on Aug. 6. He was 11-for-43 with six doubles, a homer and five RBIs in the 15 games just before his injury.

Looking Ahead: Grandal says he will be ready by Opening Day, but the protocol for his injury is for a rehab of nine to 12 months which means he will likely start the season on the disabled list. If healthy, the switch-hitting Grandal figures to be the Padres starting catcher. But there are major questions, the most obvious being was his great debut in 2012 a sign of his talent and skills or a byproduct of PEDs. Projected as a upper-echelon catcher on both offense and defense.

Plus/Minus: Offensively, Grandal is a switch-hitter with pop from both sides. Defensively, has excellent receiving tools and a strong arm. Pitchers like throwing to Grandal. He was ranked the No. 2 prospect in the Padres organization before the 2012 season.


(utsandiego.com)