Moreland Improving Against Lefties

A big factor in the reasoning behind keeping Jurickson Profar on track to start the season in the minors and against moving second baseman Ian Kinsler to first base to accommodate Profar's ascent was the fact that the Texas Rangers want to give Mitch Moreland perhaps one final chance to secure the everyday first baseman gig.

In the past, Moreland has been given shots and has both been derailed by injuries and also his struggles against left-handed pitching.

So far this spring, Moreland has seen better results against lefties and has had some decent success against southpaws in Cactus League play, going 2-for-6 with two walks and a homer in eight spring at-bats against lefties.

For his career, Moreland has hit just .236 against left-handed pitching while being used primarily against righties as Michael Young or Mike Napoli would play at first in the past when a lefty was on the mound. Now, with both of those players out of the picture, the Rangers are relying on Moreland to pick up the first base role on an everyday basis.

“Lefty or righty, there’s no difference in my approach,” Moreland told The Dallas Morning News. “I’m trying to grind out my at-bats..."

“I’ve always gone up and tried to beat whoever is in front of me. I’ve never really looked at it as ‘What side does he throw from?’ I just try to beat the other guy.”

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