Yankees Didi Gregorious Return Imminent: Fantasy Impact

By Brad Kelly | Apr 26, 2017

Feb 20, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius (18) fields a ground ball during MLB spring training workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Didi Gregorious will be returning to the Yankees in the coming days. After a career season in 2016, should fantasy owners pounce on him off the waiver wire?

The Yankees have played well this season even though they have had to do it primarily without their starting shortstop, Didi Gregorius, and starting catcher, Gary Sanchez. While Sanchez is still on the mend, Gregorius is ready to rejoin the team. But, should fantasy owners be interested?

Didi Gregorious’ time with the Yankees has been a success. He joined the team in 2015, and even though things started a little shaky, he has cemented himself as a big piece for the Yanks moving forward. Last season, was his best as a major leaguer, as he posted a .276/20 HR/70 RBI/7 SB/.751 OPS line.

It looked as though he was shaping up to be a great MI selection this spring, but he would suffer a shoulder injury while playing in the World Baseball Classic, costing him nearly an entire month of action.

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Joe Girardi has made it no secret that Gregorious will be the starter at short even though Ronald Torreyes has been tremendous for the team in 2016. Gregorius will likely slot into the middle part of a solid Yankees lineup that will get Sanchez back soon as well, which will help the counting stats.

In terms of his fantasy value, fantasy owners will have to decide if they believe in the breakout. He notched 54 XBH last season. and his 20 HR were more than twice his career high even through the minors. But, after making a slight change in his swing that allowed him a more solidified base to swing off of, the power came along.

There are more things to like about his breakout as well. He upped his contact rate by 4%, cut his GB rate by 4% and raised his FB rate to over 40%. He hit over .300 against LHP, and for those that think that he just benefits from the short porch at Yankee Stadium, he posted an identical. 276 AVG at both home and away. Plus, he only homered twice more in the Bronx, than on the road.

Due to missing a month, Gregorious will more than likely fail to reach the 20 HR plateau. But, there is no reason he can not flirt with 15+ HR again this season while getting right back near the 70+ RBI mark as the Yankees have a better lineup this season than last.

Some may not believe in the AVG, but he was able to post a .276 AVG with only a .290 BABIP, so there is no reason to think he can not get right back near the .270 mark.

Didi Gregorious is coming off a career-best season and is entering a prime situation to produce. Yet, he is still on the waiver wire in the majority of leagues across all fantasy formats. Even though it is against minor league competition, he is already swinging the bat well in rehab games, only upping the chances he can make an immediate impact.

Next: Fantasy Baseball: Pay Attention to These Stats

Take a closer look at Gregorious off the waiver wire before it is too late.

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