Dodgers: Three backup options for Cody Bellinger at first base

1. Yasmani Grandal

Yasmani Grandal was set to be the everyday starting catcher at the beginning of the 2017 season. In the year prior, Grandal led all catchers with 27 home runs and became comfortable with the Dodgers pitching staff. However, Grandal’s lack of hitting left-handed pitching mixed with a low .200’s batting average created a platoon with young right-hander Austin Barnes.

Barnes became the Dodgers go to option against southpaws. Although Barnes saw most of his at-bats against lefties, he actually had a better batting average against right-handed pitching. That, mixed with Grandal getting cold late in the season, led to Barnes staring the majority of the Dodgers’ postseason games.

Now, Barnes looks to be the starting catcher in LA while Grandal is the platoon option. This is great for the Dodgers as Barnes can get rest if his body cannot handle a whole season’s worth of work and the team gets the most out of Grandal in favorable matchups.

However, Grandal also has experience playing first base. Although he is better from the left side of the plate and would not serve as a platoon bat, Grandal would be a viable backup whenever Bellinger needs rest. The power-hitting bat of Grandal could just be plugged into Bellinger’s spot without much of a hassle.

The Dodgers have not been very active this offseason. If that trend continues, Grandal very well could become a backup catcher and first baseman for LA.