After the festivities of the All Star Break come to an end, and the Rangers’ backs are against the wall, who will we look to for a big turnaround this season? Could it be Gallo, the power stroking diesel? Or Elvis, a rockstar of the Rangers, who could still be bothered by his elbow injury? I got your back with 3 players to watch, so let’s get to it.
Rougie Odor
While he’s only batting .259 over the season, Rougie has been on fire over his last 15 games, hitting over .400 with 4 home runs, but striking out 17 times in that span as well. He has been known as a streaky hitter with power, hitting over 60 home runs over in 2016 and 2017 combined. With only 7 HR so far on the season, he’ll need to stay patient at the plate, as he’s averaging a strikeout per game with 71 Ks in 70 games.
Will he get hot in the 2nd half? My bet is Rougie ends the year with a minimum 15 HR and a batting average over .250, right around his career average.
Joey Gallo
Gallo continues to struggle at the plate, striking out a league leading 135 times in only 96 games. Home runs are what he’s good at, and while his 24 HR are nothing to scoff at, it just doesn’t help when he only has 61 hits on the season and 39% of them are home runs. I would love for Gallo to get hot and go on a streak of games with consecutive home runs, and it’s very well possible, but be prepared for him to match his career high in strikeouts and push for 200 on the season once again.
Elvis Andrus
Elvis is my bet out of the entire team to turn his season around. Being a fan favorite and all, he has been given a pass for the first half of the season by most.
He’s only hitting .261 after averaging over .290 the past 2 seasons, while posting only 9 RBI and 2 stolen bases this season. He has been consistent throughout his career at the plate, never logging under .258 at the dish or under 20 stolen bases in a season. In his last 30 games however, he’s only slashing a lowly .230 with 7 RBI and striking out 22 times. His ability on the base path is valuable, but only when he finds ways to get on base. Elvis is struggling right now with an OBP of .305 in the past 30 games as well. This All Star break couldn’t have come at a better time for the vet, allowing him rest and a chance to reset himself and lead this team as he has in the past.
But we have to wonder, is his slump a confidence issue? Or is his elbow still bothering him? Either way, the All Star Break has given the veteran short stop a well needed rest. Expect vintage Elvis to make a return to the home team.
This group of players has the potential to break out this second half of the season. But let us know who you think will break out by voting on dalsportsnation.com!!
