ESPN's Dan Szymborski is a computer and stat guru, and we love getting a look at his projections. Here are his numbers for the 2014 Texas Rangers.
Position: Left field
Player: Shin-Soo Choo
Last year: .285 batting average, .423 on-base percentage, .462 slugging percentage, 21 home runs, 54 RBIs, 20 stolen bases, 712 plate appearances
2014 projections: .265/.385/.429, 17 home runs, 62 RBIs, 18 stolen bases, 601 plate appearances
There is no question what the Rangers expect out of Choo this season. The Korean outfielder is moving to left field, where he's more comfortable, instead of playing center field like he did much of last season, which was a career year offensively for the Reds. The Rangers need Choo to be the premier leadoff man they have really never had. Choo is one of the most patient hitters in baseball, likes to get hit by pitches and always seems to find a way on base, as evidenced by his .423 on-base percentage a year ago.
With the guys hitting behind Choo, he should be able to score 100 runs with his eyes closed, even though the computers project him at just 81 runs scored on the season.
