Three Players That Unexpectedly Fueled Texas Rangers in First Month
The Texas Rangers have played the first month of the season and they’re 15-14 after Sunday’s 4-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds.
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said it’s been a up-and-down month, especially on offense. In spite of that, the Rangers are in second place as they wind down April and head into May.
These three players have given the Rangers a significant boost in the first month of the season.
INF Josh Smith
Smith has been the best hitter on the team for the first month. He’s gotten regular at-bats playing for injured third baseman Josh Jung and flourished with a .304 average, along with a home run and 13 RBI.
He’s reached safely in every start he’s made, he’s on a 16-game on-base streak, he has the most doubles (nine) in the American League and his last six hits have been for extra bases.
Smith didn’t get much playing time to end last year, so he took advantage of at-bats in winter ball, along with at-bats in spring training when players like Jung and Nathaniel Lowe were out.
He’s also maintained his standing as one of the team’s best defensive players.
Much like last season with Ezequiel Duran subbing for Corey Seager, Smith has capitalized on the chance to play every day.
RP Tyler Yates
Yates hasn’t been a closer full-time since the 2019 season, when he closed 41 games for San Diego and was ninth in National League Cy Young voting. Since then, he’s had Tommy John surgery and reclaimed his form last season with Atlanta, going 7-2 with a 3.28 ERA in 61 games with five saves.
