Moreland Back to 2010 Level

After years of trying to find a replacement at first base for the departed Mark Teixeira, Texas Rangers fans began to think they might have found the solution in 2010. That's when Mitch Moreland was called up on July 29, 2010 and was a key figure down the stretch as the Rangers enjoyed their breakout 2010 season.

In fact, there wasn't a better hitter for the Rangers in the 2010 World Series when he hit .462 with a home run in the Rangers' five-game loss to the San Francisco Giants.

But last season was just flat-out bad for Moreland as he started hot and tailed off dramatically before it was revealed that he was battling a wrist injury for much of the season that ended up requiring off-season surgery.

Whatever those doctors did seems to have worked, as he's gotten back to his 2010 form so far this season. Through 33 games and 107 plate appearances, Moreland is batting .289 with seven home runs and 16 RBIs, both well beyond his 2011 pace when he finished with 16 home runs and 51 RBIs.

His eighth inning solo home run off Felix Hernandez didn't get the Rangers the win, but it showed how dialed in he is right now as he did the only damage against King Felix, lining a double in the game as well.

Since a start on May 8 when he went 0 for 5 and saw his batting average dip to .260, he's gone 8 for 24 with four home runs and nine RBIs and is one of the hotter hitters on the team right now this side of Josh Hamilton and Elvis Andrus.

Copyright FREEL - NBC Local Media
Contact Us