How Shin-soo Choo Helped Trigger Rougned Odor's Unlikely Offensive Surge

Adam Glanzman Rougned Odor had some of the worst discipline of any hitter in the league in 2017. With a little help from his friend Shin-soo Choo, Odor has undergone a complete transformation.

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…