Texas Rangers first half report card
Middle infield
It may not be entirely fair to lump together both middle infielders for the 2017 Texas Rangers. One has hit near the .300 mark all season and exhibited a power surge unlike any other he’s had in his career. He’s on pace to obliterate his previous career mark in slugging percentage, hits, doubles and runs batted in.
Meanwhile, the other has struggled just to get on base. His .387 slugging percentage after game 81 would make an excellent batting average, but nothing else. If not for his above-average defense this season, he’d probably find himself back in Round Rock again for a spell.
Of course, the former describes shortstop Elvis Andrus, who finds himself just a fan vote away from his third career All-Star Game. The latter is second baseman Rougned Odor.
Together, they’ve formed a fairly formidable double play duo. They’ve gotten the job done defensively and have combined for some 47 twin killings in the first half.
But this is clearly a case where one has brought down the other in the entire offensive scheme. Elvis has modeled a consistency this season that outpaces all eight of his previous years in the big leagues. On the other hand, Odor has completely regressed from his breakout 2016 season at the plate. So, there’s really no choice but to break this up into two separate grades between the two positions.