Texas Rangers hitting Coach Scott Coolbaugh discusses Nelson Cruz at workout – MLB News
The Texas Rangers are preparing for the coming American League Championship Series at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington and it marked a good time to get some news from the club’s hitting Coach on how Nelson Cruz is holding up in the playoffs workout. The Coach
talked to the reporters at the workout session on Thursday, October 6.
The coach talked about Cruz, who returned to the Rangers on September 13, following a hamstring injury. The hard hitter had no Minor League affiliate to go to for assignment. Hence he was brought back to the Major League for duty. The player faced a tough
challenge from the very first ball and he went .190 in the month of September before heading to the American League Division Series to face the Tampa Bay Rays.
The player is still coping with his timing and he went 1-for-15 against the Rays, which has brought him back to the workout regiment for training. There was some praise to go around for Cruz though. He is working hard to get back into shape to be a contributing
factor in the upcoming game against the surging Detroit Tigers.
"I thought he had some good at-bats against Tampa Bay," hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh said. "He hit some balls hard at some guys. He's definitely a guy we need to get going. He's a big part of our offense."
Josh Hamilton was someone who shared the same experience in the past. He went 2-for-18 against the Rays, last year. He came back in the Championship Series to go 7-for-20 with seven RBIs and four home-runs.
"His MO at times is to hit in spurts," Coolbaugh said. "He's definitely a guy who can carry a team and there are spurts where other guys have to step up in his place."
Nelson Cruz will be looking to get back to his best form in the Championship Series. Mike Napoli and Adrian Beltre may be hitting well for the club but Coolbaugh will want to see Cruz turn the s***w on when the Texans greet the Detroit Tigers at their home
plate.
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