Jake Smolinski is just continuing to impress people with his recent play since being called up last week when the Texas Rangers shuffled things up by DFAing Donnie Murphy and sending Michael Choice down to Triple-A Round Rock.
In Sunday's loss to the Angels — the Rangers' seventh straight — the 25-year-old rookie left fielder went 2-for-4 with an RBI, continuing his hot start to his career.
Smolinski set a Rangers record by collecting eight hits in his first four games as a Ranger, including a stretch of hits in five straight at-bats. He also made two spectacular catches in Saturday's loss to the Angels, one of which that likely saved three runs and kept the Rangers in the lead for the time being.
Smolinski, who's quick swing and determined grit, has drawn comparisons from several folks to former Rangers great and fan favorite Rusty Greer, who was a .305 career hitter in a nine-year career cut short by injuries. Like Smolinski, Greer also made his big-league debut late, at age 25, and also played predominantly in left field. He finished third in the AL Rookie of the Year voting in 1994.
