By all definitions Rougned Odor had a terrible 2017. His line was .204/.252/.397. His WAR in 2017 was -0.2. He also had 19 Errors. He looked lost most of the season. Everyone, including me, thought he should be sent down to AAA ball. But he wasn’t. He finished the season and still he looked lost. I didn’t understand, but then again I am a blogger and not a coach.
Fast forward to 2018. Rougie started the season decent, but not great. He was, as they say, trending upwards. In the last 28 days, Rougned Odor is has a batting line of .375/.459/.750 with seven home runs and 12 RBI. His BAbip (batting average with balls in play) in .417. And he has been playing better more recently, In the last seven days, he is .421/.542/1.158 with four home runs, six RBI and five walks to only three strikeouts. Since the All-Star game his is batting .404. He is, in short, playing the best ball of his career.
His splits between right and left handed pitchers are also very close. He is batting .263 versus RHP while hitting .277 versus LHP. At home he is batting .295, while he is batting .239 on the road. His defense has been very, very good. He is locked in on both sides of the ball. Keeping him in the majors last season seems to have worked.
Rougned Odor is thriving from staying up. Are we as fans repeating our mistakes by calling for Joey Gallo to get sent down? Joey is batting .193 with 145 strikeouts. He has been an adventure from time to time in the outfield. He is growing and learning right in front of us. The 2018 Rangers are not going to the post season, so why send Joey down. It could pay dividends in the future, or he could be a bust, I say let him learn at the major league level.
Rougned Odor will not continue at the pace he is currently at, but I do think he has figured some things out. I hope he has actually figured them out and continues to shine as our second baseman. Right now, no one is complaining about him anymore!
