Jennifer Hilderbrand-USA TODAY Sports
The Texas Rangers have called up prospect Chris McGuiness to play first base while Mitch Moreland spends time on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring. Texas has made it clear that they will get McGuiness in a game as soon as possible, which means whenever he does start he will be making his Major League Baseball debut.
The Rangers do have veteran Lance Berkman, who has spent his fair share of time at first base. However, manager Ron Washington prefers to see what McGuiness is capable of accomplishing with the great opportunity. Not to mention, Berkman may not have the endurance to handle playing first on a daily basis.
“He’s a first baseman … natural,” Washington said, according to Rangers.com. “That’s all that matters. It’s not what he can do offensively. All that matters is he can move around that bag and do what needs to be done.”
The 25-year-old was batting .275 with six home runs, 34 RBI, 19 doubles, one triple and 26 runs in 193 at-bats for Triple-A Round Rock this season. He also has been flawless defensively at first base in which he has a perfect fielding percentage in 484 defensive chances. Even though he carries a decent bat at the plate, there is no doubt his outstanding defensive skills is the reason he was called up.
McGuiness was acquired by the Cleveland Indians in the Rule 5 Draft, but they sent him back to the Rangers at the conclusion of Spring Training. It was a move several members of Cleveland’s organization was not fond of, especially manager Terry Francona.
“I’ve said it before; I wish he wasn’t a Rule 5. It’s hard for a position player to skip Triple-A and come to the big leagues. It’s not altogether fair to expect them to be able to put up numbers. There’s so much to like about him.”
