Davis Back to Old Self

After a spring training which saw him finish with a slugging percentage (total bases) at the top of baseball, a subsequent start in Triple-A Round Rock and a power tear to start there, Chris Davis was called up to the big club after Josh Hamilton's broken arm created an extra roster spot for the next two months.

Davis told everyone and anyone in spring training that he was a changed man, and had a new mental approach to the game that he picked up playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic.

It was a change that was supposed to get Davis back to his 2008 numbers when he burst onto the scene after a midseason call-up and went crazy with the power numbers, making Rangers fans quickly forget about Mark Teixeira.

But last night, in his 2011 MLB debut, Davis was back to his old self, aimlessly swinging at everything.

As the Texas Rangers beat the AL West foe Angels in a blowout, Davis was about the only Ranger who couldn't do anything at the plate against Angels starter Ervin Santana & Co. He finished the night with three strikeouts and a soft groundout.

If Davis hadn't been sent down last year in favor of Mitch Moreland, he likely would've set a season record for strikeouts.

It just goes to show the fine line between hitting at the major league level and hitting in Triple-A, and even spring training, which is often against MLB pitchers.

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On the bright side, it was just one game, and Davis hasn't played since Hamilton's injury so it could be chalked up to rust, but unfortunately for him, he's not going to get consistent at-bats in Arlington because first and third base are such crowded, talented positions for the Rangers with Moreland, Michael Young and Adrian Beltre.

The Rangers were likely hoping Davis would come up and find his stroke in this two-month period so he could build on his already budding trade value from the spring and land them a solid arm at the trade deadline. And that still might happen, but if Monday night was any sign, it's not looking good for the Rangers' hopes.

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