Struggling Rangers shortstop Josh Smith gets temporary reprieve from leadoff duties

ARLINGTON — The Rangers yanked struggling Josh Smith out of the leadoff spot Friday.

But it’s only temporary.

The Rangers slid Smith, a left-handed hitter, to the No. 9 spot against Astros lefty Colton Gordon. Michael Helman, a switch-hitter, led off. But manager Bruce Bochy indicated that Smith would likely return to the leadoff spot when the Rangers face right-hander Hunter Brown on Saturday, for two reasons.

Texas Rangers infielder Josh Smith looks out from the dugout during the first inning of a...

Rangers

First, Bochy believes in the quality of Smith’s at-bats. Second, he acknowledged he doesn’t have many options.

“It’s been talked about,” Bochy said of making a change. “But Josh gives you a pretty good at-bat and he sees pitches. I know his batting average isn’t up there right now.

“There’s some other guys, but their batting averages aren’t up there either. So you go with what you think is going to be more your prototypical leadoff hitter.”

Smith was hitting just .206 with a .308 OBP and .543 OPS over the 20 games prior to Friday.

Smith, however, has a .330 OBP in the leadoff spot for more than 300 plate appearances. Among the 40 hitters with at least 100 plate appearances as a leadoff hitter, it ranks 26th. As a team, the Rangers’ .309 OBP in the leadoff spot ranks 27th in the majors.

To Bochy’s point about options: Other than Smith, the only active players with games in the leadoff spot this year are Helman (making his fourth start there Friday), Wyatt Langford (seven starts) and Joc Pederson (one start). Bochy pointed to Langford’s success and Pederson’s power and indicated they are more needed in the No. 2 spot and in the middle of the order. Pederson, however, did not start against the lefty Friday.

Twitter: @Evan_P_Grant

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