Entering spring training, Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington said Mitch Moreland would be his team's starter at first base, which drew some curiosity from Rangers fans.
At a position loaded with talent, Moreland's brief 2010 stint apparently was enough to seize the starting role entering 2011.
Moreland played in just 47 games last season after a call-up when he replaced Chris Davis. His average was just so-so at .255 but he showed a tendency to not strike out, take walks and hit for power — a novel approach.
And then there was the 2010 postseason, when Moreland turned into an everyday starter and was one of the few Rangers doing anything successful at the plate in the World Series loss to the San Francisco Giants.
So far this season, Moreland has exceeded any expectations.
He's hitting .279 with a .371 on-base percentage and has eight doubles (compared to just four in his abbreviated 2010 campaign).
He's also emerged as one of the guys on the Rangers that has can't miss at-bats. He has some epic battles and is just flat-out fun to watch at the plate.
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He's also shown versatility in the field as he's made a few starts in right field, albeit with a few head scratching defensive moments, but the Rangers have shown a definite willingness to work with him.
Looks like that decision in the spring wasn't such a puzzling one after all.
