ARLINGTON – Who said the Texas Rangers didn’t get a powerful bat at the trade deadline?
And who would have thought – at least during his time with the Rangers – that it would be catcher Carson Kelly?
Kelly, who the Rangers acquired from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for two minor league players two days before the July trade deadline, has been one of Texas’ best hitters since his first game on July 31. The 30-year-old has posted a .344/.382/.500 batting average with three extra-base hits and six runs scored in the 10 games he has played since his arrival.
Only shortstop Corey Seager (.936) had a higher on-base percentage and a better slugging percentage than Kelly (.882). Only right fielder Adolis García (.387) had a better on-base percentage than him (.382). No one posted a higher batting average.
“I’m really enjoying my time here,” Kelly said Sunday. “I have some history with (offensive coordinator) Donnie (Ecker) and some of the hitters. A lot of it is just continuing to rely on what I do routinely and what has made me who I am. The guys in the clubhouse have been really great and have welcomed me with open arms.”
Kelly has started 10 games at catcher since his first game for Texas, including Sunday’s final game of the series against the Minnesota Twins at Globe Life Field, while Jonah Heim has started eight games. Both were in action in the Rangers’ 4-2 loss to the Twins on Saturday. Kelly started as the designated hitter, hitting 2 for 4 with a double and scoring both of the Rangers’ runs. It was only the second time this season – and the fifth time in his nine-year major league career – that he played the position.
Former Rangers catcher Mitch Garver admitted last season that designated hitter was “not his favorite role,” but he managed to post a .751 on-base-plus-slugging percentage last postseason. Kelly said he tries to stay active and loose in the team’s bench to best simulate the stresses he would endure as a catcher on days when he works exclusively as a hitter.
“It’s a different experience, especially as a catcher, when you’re in every game,” Kelly said. “It’s kind of — I don’t want to say the exact opposite — but it’s something where you can contribute on both sides of the ball (as a catcher), and being the DH is one side of the ball.”
The method worked.
“He offers good hitting opportunities,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Saturday. “He has power and good discipline at the plate. He’s had a pretty good year offensively, especially here.”
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