Rougned Odor: Time to Believe Again?

Jul 5, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor (12) hits an RBI single during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Angels defeated the Rangers 12-6. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The second base position is not what we thought it would be at this point in the season. On draft day, we knew who the top names are and which ones to pass on. Or so we thought. Some owners that used an early pick on a certain second baseman may be looking for help at the position. If you are one of those owners, why not take a look at Rougned Odor?

Odor was drafted as the 15th second baseman, 21st round overall. His 2014 season warranted a top-15 among second baseman. He finished with nine home runs, 48 RBI and a .259 batting average in 114 games. However, those numbers, as pedestrian as you may think they were, did not carry over into the 2015 season.

In his first 29 games of the season, Odor hit .144/.252/.233 with 13 hits and 25 strikeouts. As a result, he was sent down to Triple-A to regroup and work on some things. And it worked.

When Rougned Odor came back 34 days later, he was a new hitter. In the 29 games since his return, he has a .370/.408/.648 line with 40 hits (16 extra base hits) and just 12 strikeouts. He has two doubles, three triples and two home runs in the second half. The power looks legit, five home runs since his return.

He ranks No. 2 on the ESPN Player Rater over the last 30 days and No. 3 over the last 15. Only Ian Kinsler and Brian Dozier rank ahead of him over the last 15 days. That kind of consistency is hard to find on the waiver wire.

There is a negative side to Odor’s numbers. Most of those numbers came at hitter-friendly ballparks. He and the Texas Rangers started the second half at Coors Field and Minute Maid Park, both rank in the top-10 in home runs per game for a batter according to ESPN’s Park Factors.

These numbers could just be taking advantage of friendly ball parks, but I don’t think that is the case. He played in Toronto, one of the more pitcher-friendly parks in the league this year, before the All-Star break. In those three games, Odor had six hits (two doubles and a home run) with two RBI.

Odor also has the benefit of playing in Arlington, top 10 in runs and hits in Park Factors. With the new plate disciple, he should be able to take advantage of that.

The Rangers have one of the most dangerous lineups top to bottom, when healthy. Odor hitting in the No. 2 spot ahead of Adrian Beltre, Mitch Moreland, Josh Hamilton and Prince Fielder can only benefit him for the rest of the season.

At this point in the season, I think taking a risk on Odor is a win-win. He shouldn’t cost much to pick up if you use FAAB (free-agent acquisition budget) and you probably have someone rotting on the bench to drop. There is very little help on the waiver wire for second baseman, so Odor may be your last shot.

But you better act quick. Rougned Odor’s ownership percentage has just 10.2 percent over the last week, now at 44.8 percent. With the first half a distant memory, Odor should flourish in the second half and you need to quickly jump on it.