The GranderDunn Effect

It is a familiar sight in baseball. At least one player every year is a victim of the GranderDunn effect. The effect can be explained as a fast player who stops utilizing their speed once they begin to hit home runs.

Granderson (Left) and Dunn (Right) at the 2012 All Star Game

Curtis Granderson has stolen 20 or more bases in a season in three different seasons. When Granderson was traded to the Yankees he took advantage of the short porch in right field. In 2010 Granderson hit 24 home runs and stole 12 bases. In 2011 he played a full season, and was rather successful, hitting 41 home runs and stealing 25 bases. The 2012 season is where the GranderDunn effect enters play. Granderson is now known as a power hitter and he hit 34 home runs over 131 games in 2012, but has stolen just 8 bases.

Granderson has not only given up his speed to the power of home runs, but also his batting average. In 2012 he has a career low .235 batting average. Curtis Granderson is slowly becoming Adam Dunn.

This can also be seen in players such as Grady Seizmore, Corey Hart, and Alfonso Soriano. Andrew McCutchen may also be sacrificing stolen bases for home runs to the GranderDunn effect in seasons to come.




Thanks and credit to Mark Suleymanov for contributing the witty name .