Sep 25, 2024; Oakland, California, USA; Texas Rangers right fielder Adolis Garcia (53) hits an RBI single against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
The Rangers’ 3-2 loss in the finale against the New York Yankees emphasized an issue that has plagued the team all year. Adolis Garcia went 0 for 5 with two strikeouts and left nine runners on base, which included going 0 for 3 with runners in scoring position.
This season has been a rough one for Garcia as he is slashing .225/.269/.392. These are the worst stats that he has had with the Rangers since 2020 when he only played in three games. His batting average is .001 better than it was last year, but there is a chance that it goes under that mark.
There are a few players that could take this spot in the lineup and solve the issue.
Josh Jung
Since returning from Round Rock and a calf injury, Jung has been on a tear. He is slashing .351/.415/.595 with three home runs and eight RBIs. He has been the right handed bat that they have needed in the middle of the lineup and he won the first game of the series against the Yankees with a walk-off three home run bomb.
Manager Bruce Bochy has said that Jung will return to third base on Friday against the Phillies. That could be a sign that Jung is getting back to 100% following an injury he suffered after his triple A stint. He could be the go to batter against lefties in the cleanup spot.
Joc Pederson
This guy is the reason that I said that Jung should be in the cleanup spot against lefties. I think that Pederson should be the guy in the cleanup against righties. That is what the Rangers thought that Pederson would be able to do when they signed him.
However, that has not been the case. To say this year has been a disappointment for Pederson is an understatement. His slash line is .144/.282/.260 with three home runs and seven RBIs. This is terrible on paper, but he has turned it around recently. In his last seven games, he is hitting .333/.500.600 with a home run in the ninth inning that tied the game and led to the Josh Jung walkoff.
Pederson has also reached base in his last six at bats with a single, double, home run, and three walks. It seems like he is finding his stride and he could be an important bat for the team against righties.
Wyatt Langford
Wyatt Langford is the last player that I think could be the new cleanup hitter as I think he is more balanced compared to Jung and Pederson. Langford has not had the best sophomore year following his rookie year with a slash line of just .240/.326/.413 with 15 home runs and 44 RBIs. He hasn’t been super hot lately like Jung or Pederson, but he has been solid in his last 15 games with a slash line of .288/.403/.404.
However, he has been one of the Rangers best players this year and he brings a lot of upside to the spot that could help manufacture runs. He has great pop and the ability to hit to all fields along with great speed that can put pressure on the opponents.
There is no simple answer to who the Rangers should look to for their answer, but they need to weigh their options and see what one of the them will stick. This team is too good to be getting that production from a spot in the lineup that is supposed to do some of the most damage. Garcia can still provide value, but just not from that spot with the way that he is playing.
Tags: Adolis Garcia Joc Pederson MLB Texas Rangers Wyatt Langford
Categorized:Rangers