Jeff Keppinger will bring versatility in Tampa Bay Rays, say experts - MLB News
The Tampa Bay Rays’ newly signed infielder Jeff Keppinger is a tremendous player at this particular position. Having averaged .277 along with .300 of OBP, Keppinger has a decent chance to bring his new team from the bottom and probably help with the playoff run as well.
Many baseball experts have recently published stories regarding Keppinger and his game. These experts agreed on a single fact that Keppinger will settle down the Rays’ late batting order which often crumbles at crucial moments causing some serious defeats.
Rays’ executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman also admits that surely Keppinger will be a great help for the franchise as he always played at the highest level.
He added, “Jeff is a good player who fits our club well. He is a tough out, especially against left-handers, and his contact skills bring a useful dimension to our roster. We also value his defensive versatility, which will allow him to make an impact in many different ways.”
However, for Keppinger, it is a little difficult to play in a team whose priority has always been more offensive but he also accepts that to change the inside environment, the Rays will be looking to perform as one unit for the 2012 regular season.
Keppinger’s latest remarks in the media also suggest that the Rays want to change this old strategy to attain more positive results next season. Keppinger said in reference to his own playing approach, “Basically defence is defence, catching the ball, throwing the ball. So I don't really have any specific position that I would really pick over the other. I just do what I have to do to help the ballclub. I'm up for anything. I know there's a lot of talk.”
Jeff, who has a .286 career average, playing for New York Mets along with Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros and San Francisco Giants, certainly will bring a positive change in the Rays approach in the coming season. Having struck-out only 142 times in 2,287 career at-bats, Keppinger is one of the best record holders for this particular position for the past two years now.
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