Players aren’t recognized as their league’s top player week to week for their shiny defensive play. It’s all about the bat, barring exceptional pitching performances.
Rougned Odor knows as well as anyone how hitting, good and flat-out bad, can define a player.
His plate prowess in 2016 convinced the Texas Rangers to drop $49.5 million and two quarter horses on him over six seasons. His plate woes in 2017 had the Rangers looking for a do-over button.
Of late, though, there haven’t many hitters going as well as Odor, who on Monday was recognized as the American League Player of the Week.