Moreland Has Stranglehold on First Base

Entering Spring Training, the Rangers' starting first baseman's job was Mitch Moreland's to lose, according to manager Ron Washington.

And thus far, Moreland has done absolutely nothing to do that.

In fact, between Moreland, Chris Davis, Mike Napoli and Michael Young, the position has been one of the more productive for the Rangers this spring.

Moreland is hitting a tad under .400 and has shown pop in his bat all spring.

Davis has suggested he'd like to be traded if he's not going to be on the big league roster, and he's put up even better numbers than Moreland this spring, including Davis' Wednesday night's game when he hit a three-run bomb to dead center and a double off the top of the wall.

The sample size is very small for Moreland to just hand him the starting job before spring is even over, but it is a good one. He was called up last summer when the Rangers dealt hot prospect Justin Smoak to Seattle in the Cliff Lee deal.

In 47 games, Moreland his nine home runs and 25 RBIs and 25 walks while showing some good glove on defense. He was also about the only Texas bat that showed up in the World Series, as his home run in Game 3 gave the Rangers their only win in the series.

Sports Connection

Connecting you to your favorite North Texas sports teams as well as sports news around the globe.

Which school has the most NCAA Tournament men's basketball championships?

Rays' Wander Franco placed on leave through June 1 as sexual abuse probe continues

It's a risk, but everyone involved in the front office thinks Moreland has what it takes to be this club's everyday first baseman. Do you trust them?

Copyright FREEL - NBC Local Media
Contact Us