The Grandy Man's Hidden Power

If I was to ask before the season started who would be leading the New York Yankees in HRs and RBIs in the middle of May, few people would guess Curtis Granderson who currently leads the team with 16 HRS and 34 RBIs.

Shockingly though, Granderson has a history of flashing some power and producing home runs. In his last five major league seasons, Granderson has ended his season with home run totals amounting to 19, 22, 23, 30, and 24.

Normally a leadoff hitter, but this year in the two-hole, Granderson’s responsibilities are usually to get on base and possibly steal a base in order to get in scoring position for the “power” guys.

However, this year Granderson is hitting home runs at a surprising 10.7 AB-per-HR rate, a huge improvement over his career 22.6 AB-per-HR rate.

So what’s allowing Granderson to hit all these home runs this year, assuming it’s not steroids?

Last year Granderson was mired in a season-long slump and Yankees Hitting Coach Kevin Long instituted some changes in his swing. As a result, he reduced the amount of movement in his approach at the plate and ever since the results have been incredible. Since August 14, 2010, Granderson has hit 30 home runs. Only Jose Bautista, with 37, has hit more in that span. However, Granderson isn’t ready to call himself a power hitter just yet.

"I just go up there and try to put the ball in play, and hopefully put it in play hard,'' he said.”If it happens, great. If not? Again, I'm not trying to [hit home runs], because I can't do it. I've never been that guy that could.''

Despite the power potential, Granderson is willing to do whatever is necessary for his team to get the victory as evident in Sunday’s game against the New York Mets. In the game against the Mets, Granderson came to the plate with two men on base with no one out and instead of swinging away; Yankees Manager Joe Girardi opted to have him put down a sacrifice bunt instead. As a result, Granderson didn’t hesitate and get insulted as most “power” hitters would, he instead laid down a successful bunt.

Asked about the bunt after the game, Granderson replied “No problem at all. I bat second. I’m known for being able to get sacrifice bunts down.”

However, Major League leading home run hitter Jose Bautista believes differently.

“What's important for Granderson, Bautista said, is that he doesn't let the mania that surrounds home runs get to him. He should acknowledge what he is, but don't try to change his approach to stay that way.”

"As long as he doesn't go to the plate trying to hit a home run every single at bat, he's going to be fine," Bautista said.