Texas Rangers 2016 Center Fielder: Delino DeShields or Leonys Martin?

The Texas Rangers have one of the best power-hitting offenses in the league, which is one of the reasons why they are in the playoffs. The combination of veterans and young players make for a great dynamic. There is one change management made that, I think, helped this team far beyond anything else; and that was benching Leonys Martin for Delino DeShields.

DeShields took over the starting center field position in August and did not give it back. Martin is still on the roster, which will create competition at the position. If that’s the case throughout the offseason and Spring Training, which outfielder would you rather own?

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Martin broke out in 2013. He played 147 games, hit 119 hits, eight home runs, 49 RBI, scored 66 runs and stole 36 bases with a .260 batting average. As a fourth or fifth fantasy outfielder, you can’t do much worse. He showed signs of contact, speed and some power, a great combination of skills. Not to mention he was a great defender, .985 fielding percentage.

He played just as well, if not better the following season. In 155 games, he had 146 hits, seven home runs, 40 RBI, 68 runs and a .274 batting average. He also had a .982 fielding percentage. Again, Martin was able to provide fantasy owners with production across the board.

So, what happened to Martin in 2015?

In the first two months of the season, 43 games, Leonys Martin had 35 hits, three home runs, 14 RBI, seven stolen bases and 30 strikeouts with a .224 batting average. Some of those numbers aren’t too bad. The three home runs in two months is to be expected from a non-power hitter. The glaring numbers are the 35 hits and .224 average. He wasn’t making contact in the slightest.

Things got worse from there. He had a .223 average at the end of June and .220 at the end of July. It wasn’t until August 3 that management decided to make a switch.

Enter Delino DeShields.

Delino DeShields made his debut on April 8, and played sporadically throughout the first couple months of the season. He was sent back down on June 15 and reappeared on July 5. From that date on, 73 games, DeShields had 72 hits, 51 runs, two home runs, 25 RBI, 33 walks, 62 strikeouts, 12 stolen bases and a .257 batting average.

Over the full season, DeShields played in 121 games and had 111 hits, two home runs, 37 RBI, 25 stolen bases, 53 walks, 101 strikeouts and a .261 batting average.

While those numbers aren’t much different that Martin’s, he was a big improvement in other areas. Delino DeShields was getting on base in multiple ways, .344 on-base percentage compared to Martin’s .264. DeShields had a 1.91:1 K:BB ratio on the season. Martin’s was 4.31:1.

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The downside to having DeShields in center field was his defense. He had a .977 fielding percentage in 2015. I understand fantasy owners don’t care about the defense, unless they play in a league that tracks errors, team management does and they don’t care about your fantasy team. This could create confusion on a weekly basis on which outfielder to own and start.

If I were to just look at the offensive numbers, I would want to own Delino DeShields next year. If he can play well this postseason and next Spring Training, he should have the center field position locked up.

Another reason Delino DeShields will likely be the starter next year is that Martin failed to show up to Arizona and take part in the Instructional League. He underwent surgery on Aug. 26 to repair a fractured hamate bone. He returned to the active roster on Sept. 20 and appeared only once in the final 14 games. He is a free agent after the season, so the Rangers could easily let him walk in the offseason.

As the leadoff hitter in a power lineup, Delino DeShields has the opportunity to be a top-40 outfielder, something he just missed out on this season.

Next: Wade Davis: Top 10 Closer in 2016?