Watching from the dugout rail on a rare day off last week, Rangers rightfielder Shin-Soo Choo stared at the field and all but rubbed his eyes. Was that really second baseman Rougned Odor—he of the worst on-base percentage in the game last year—taking two close balls and fouling off three pitches before lacing a single up the middle?
Choo turned to hitting coach Anthony Iapoce.
“He looks like a completely different hitter,” Choo said.
“His focus is so much better,” Iapoce agreed.
A beat.
“It’s a long season,” they said in unison, then laughed.