Geoausch

Last year, David Murphy emerged as a rising star in the Texas Rangers organization.  The Josh Hamilton, “prodigal son” story overshadowed Murphy’s achievements for the majority of the season, but his stats don’t lie. Murphy hit .275, with 15 homers, 28 doubles and a .321 on-base percentage in his first full season in the majors. After beginning the 2009 season a woeful 0 for 29, Murphy has rebounded and now leads the team in on-base percentage (.368), is second on the team in batting (.284) and has been the one consistent bat in a very anemic line-up. Murphy continues to be patience and shows extreme discipline at the plate, even as the rest of the roster swings from their heels. He’s proven that he has bright future in this league, which makes the manner in which Ron Washington uses Murphy that much more perplexing.

As of this point in the season, Murphy has appeared in only 69 games, while Nelson Cruz, a free swinging slugger with questionible defensive skills, has appeared in 82 games and can do no wrong in the eyes of Washington. Obviously, Murphy does not look like, nor does he play like the typical Rangers’ slugger. Over the past few years, well decades, Rangers’ fans have grown accustomed to sluggers in the mold of Josh Hamilton–large, hulking figures who can smash the ball 400 feet with consistency. Murphy is tall, lanky, knows how to work a pitcher and makes his living as a contact hitter. Yet since becoming a Ranger, Murphy has had to scrap to get playing time in the outfield.

Cruz, on the other hand, fits the Rangers prototype and has produced the power numbers (23 HR’s) that make Rudy Jaramillo smile, yet he fails to show the consistency of Murphy. Since being called up by the Brewers in 2005, Cruz has been a virtual yo-yo, bouncing back and forth in between Triple-A and the big leagues.  Through it all, the Rangers have remained committed and given Cruz every opportunity.

If the Rangers need a baserunner to manfacture runs, I’d rather have Murphy’s eye. If the Rangers need a hit in the bottom of the 9th with a runer in scoring postion, I’d rather have Murphy at the plate. If the Rangers need a great defensive stop in the outfield, I’d rather have Murphy’s glove.  Even in this modern age, home runs are a luxury, not a necessity, and as such I can think of no point in a baseball game where I would rather have Cruz over Murphy, but this manager seems to disagree on every point. One player puts up impressive numbers, yet can’t impress the skipper. One player is terribly inconsistent, but is heralded as the next great Rangers’ outfielder. It’s just one more reason I continue to question Ron Washington as the manager of this team.