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Profar gets first crack at Rangers’ leadoff spot
- Updated: August 17, 2016
ARLINGTON — Manager Jeff Banister had an astute observation about the Rangers’ leadoff hitter now that Shin-Soo Choo is out for the season.
“We need one,” Banister said.
Jurickson Profar, a switch-hitter, gets the first chance as he was batting leadoff on Tuesday night with a right-hander (Andrew Triggs) pitching for the Athletics. Delino DeShields, a right-handed hitter, could be up there Wednesday with a left-hander (Sean Manaea) on the mound.
“At this point, Profar against right-handers, we’ll give him the opportunity to lead off,” Banister said. “That doesn’t mean he won’t get left-handers, but we have other options with [Ian] Desmond and DeShields.”
DeShields was the Rangers’ leadoff hitter for much of the second half last season and had a .331 on-base percentage at the top of the lineup. He was better against left-handers with a .363 on-base percentage.
“Against right-handers, there was a dropoff,” Banister said. “With Profar you gain that from the left side. You lose some of the dynamic speed but you gain with the on-base.”
Profar is hitting .273 with a .328 on-base percentage in the leadoff spot — .360 is considered a good on-base percentage for a leadoff hitter and Choo had a .363 OBP.
“I did it before … yes, I feel comfortable,” Profar said. “For me, I like it because I get to …
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