Astros Countdown: Top Five AL West Threats in 2017

Jun 5, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros catcher Evan Gattis (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sonny Gray (54) in the sixth inning at Minute Maid Park. Astros won 5 to 2. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 5, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros catcher Evan Gattis (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sonny Gray (54) in the sixth inning at Minute Maid Park. Astros won 5 to 2. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next

Odor

May 17, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor (12) in action during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor (12) in action during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Astros fans do not like the Texas Rangers. Second baseman Rougned Odor is one of the main reasons why.

2017 has not really gone as planned for Odor. Through 48 games, he is hitting .207 with a .610 OPS. He is tied for third on the team with Elvis Andrus with six home runs and sixth with 19 RBIs.

His slump has shown in his numbers against the Astros in 2017. Odor has only three hits in 15 at bats this season with five strikeouts. However, that is when the power starts to show. Two of his three hits against the Astros have been for extra bases, a double against Charlie Morton and a home run against Joe Musgrove.

The threat of Odor heading into the month of June is mostly based on power potential. In his breakout season in 2016, he hit 33 home runs, driving in 88 RBIs with a .271 batting average and a .798 OPS.

Odor’s numbers against the Astros in 2016 were very good. In 74 at-bats, he hit .311 with a .973 OPS. The majority of his hits, 13 of 23, went for extra bases, including six home runs. Three of those six home runs came off Collin McHugh, Mike Fiers, and James Hoyt, all three currently still on the Astros roster.

How do Astros pitchers attack Odor? He strikes out 20.4 percent of the time. However, if he makes contact on the ball, especially against the Astros, it most likely means trouble.