Leonys Martin has long been a guy that you look at and just think, "Wow, that guy has leadoff man written all over him."
Or maybe it's just me?
Either way, the guy has all the tools you look for in a prototypical leadoff man. He has speed and the potential to swipe 40 bags. He has great gap power and even has 10-15 home run potential. Oh, and he's pretty great at bunting for a base hit, as well.
But he's also been frustrating to watch because of his lack of plate discipline and inability to draw a walk and be selective at the plate.
This year, Martin says he's all-in on winning the leadoff spot after being used every day in that role after Ron Washington's resignation on Sept. 5. Of course, that was for former interim manager Tim Bogar, who was passed up as the Rangers' new manager by Jeff Banister.
Banister has said he wants Martin to be the Rangers' leadoff man, and Martin feels the same way.
"I'm glad he wants to be the leadoff hitter," Banister told reporters. "I hope he takes that approach all spring. And not only the spring but throughout the year. He has a terrific skill set to be able to be a leadoff hitter. But my message for him will be to show up with that attitude every single day."
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Shin-Soo Choo is an on-base machine, which Martin is most definitely not, but Martin is much more electric once he's on base than the older Choo.
Martin, who was a leadoff hitter throughout his time in Cuba and in the minors, said he's ready to win the job.
"I've been a leadoff man my entire career," he told Fox Sports. "I'm ready. I want to show I can help my team, get on base and try to score runs."
