What can the Texas Rangers expect from a healthy Willie Calhoun?

Willie Calhoun: Pull-Side Power

Willie Calhoun adds some pop to the Texas Rangers’ lineup.

We all know that Willie Calhoun isn’t the biggest guy in the Rangers’ lineup, but he generates some of the sneakiest power out of the group.

Throughout his five-year big league career, he has accumulated 25 homers, 21 doubles and two triples.

With Calhoun, the one issue is his inconsistency. He has yet to have consecutive big league seasons of double-digit power numbers, but a breakout 2019 season should give us all hope.

Note that I said big league seasons. Throughout his minor league career, he had three consecutive double-digit homerun seasons (2015-2017), and got close in 2018 and 2019.

In 2017, Calhoun put up exceptional numbers between Oklahoma City and Round Rock. He had a slash line of .300/.355/.572 with 31 homeruns and 93 driven-in.

We see now why the Rangers thought so highly of him when they acquired him in the Yu Darvish trade.

We also see that there is the potential for 25-30 homerun power in the lefty’s bat, and got close in 2019 with his 21 homers in 83 games.

Assuming he didn’t get demoted that season, he could have surpassed that 25-homer mark and could’ve pushed 30.

If he continues to be the disciplined hitter we know he can be, the power numbers will follow shortly thereafter, but it will take time.

Luckily for him and the Rangers, in a season that they’re not expected to contend, he can find that groove and his power swing again with little to no pressure going forward.

I’m not saying he won’t have to earn his at-bats, but he’ll definitely have a leg up on anyone else because of the bad breaks he’s caught over the past few years.