When a player hits .205/283/439 and strikes out a personal record 178 times, there’s going to be talk about that player being on a short leash. Such is the case for Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor. He did not have a stellar season on the offensive or defensive side of the ball. He was on a long leash.
Rangers brass have said the he will be on a very short leash in 2020. He should be. His wins above average in 2019 was -2.3, runs above replacement level was -4. His wins above replacement was -0.3. None of those numbers are good. He has been touted as a good player, but failed to follow through in 2010. He will go down in Rangers history for punching Jose Bautista in the face, but he needs marked improvment in 2020.
Odor can be brilliant, and he has had flashes of it throughout his career. Nick Solak is a player that is nipping at Odor’s heels. Nick could take Odor’s place quickly if Odor starts like he did in 2019. Odor was completely lost at the plate for the first month plus of the season. Solak has seen minimal playing time in the bigs (just 135 plate appearances).
Rougned Odor has had quite a while to be good at second base and at the plate. He did not come throught in the least in 2019. He won’t have very long to catch on in 2020 either. Rougned Odor’s time as the everyday second baseman may come to an end quickly.
