ARLINGTON — The Rangers’ offensive issues so consumed the first quarter of the season that they overshadowed a lot of what went right.
Can we talk about the defense a little bit?
Whether by old math or new, the Rangers have graded out as elite. After another error-free game Wednesday in an 8-3 sin over Colorado, they extended their current errorless streak to seven games. They also lead the majors in Defensive Runs Saved in baseball at +31, according to FanGraphs. If you prefer the old-fashioned method: They were tied for fifth in baseball in fielding percentage, third in the AL (.989)
“l think we are better than last year,” said manager Bruce Bochy, whose team ranked 11th in DRS last year. “I think our positioning has been better and we’re adjusting more frequently in situations. I think the staff has done a good job. I like that.”
Bochy singled out several positions, in particular, where the Rangers have made significant improvement.
- Right field: Adolis García is tied for 10th in the majors in runs saved with six. Bochy credited García’s offseason explosiveness work with helping him move significantly better than a year ago when he dealt with knee pain for much of the year. “He’s really moving well,” Bochy said.
- Left field: Wyatt Langford spent the first portion of last season as a DH and when he moved into the outfield, it took a bit of adjustment to major league stadiums. But Langford has five runs saved already this year in left. The Rangers have a total of 14 runs saved in the outfield, second to St. Louis.
- Utility: Josh Smith, who has started at seven different positions, has positive runs saved at three different positions (first base, second base and third base) already. “Where has he not made all the plays?,” Bochy said. “Really, every place I put him, he’s making diving catches in the outfield. He’s been great at second and short and impressive at first.”
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