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Choo sits atop AL in both BA and OBP

May 7, 2014

Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington (38) congratulates Shin-Soo Choo for hitting a solo home run against the Los Angeles Angels in the sixth inning of a baseball game on Friday, May 2, 2014, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

By Lee Kyutae and Tae Hong

Choo Shin-soo had himself quite a weekend in his first trip to Southern California as a Texas Ranger. After three games against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, he emerged as the American League (AL) leader in both batting average (0.349) and in on-base percentage (0.482).

In other words, entering Monday’s games, no one in the AL is hitting for higher average or gets on base more frequently than the 31-year-old Korean left-handed hitter.

Choo is making the Rangers feel good about their $130 million investment, as they took two out of three from the Angels.

Choo smashed seven hits in 10 at-bats over three games, including his third home run of the season to score and drive-in three runs each. He also walked four times and got hit by a pitch, meaning the Angels were only able to get him out three times in 15 at-bats.

“There are always a lot of Koreans in L.A., and many of them came these past three days,” Choo said after the game. “I got a lot of strength from them.”

He also said that he hasn’t felt much of a difference in terms of teamwork after joining the Rangers in December last year.

“They have great personalities and we all help each other out,” he said.

Choo, who was previously with the Cincinnati Reds, moved to Texas with his family after signing a $130 million contract with the Rangers.

“I like it,” he said. “I’m playing in a place with a lot of Koreans who support me with their passion for baseball, and it gives me a lot of energy.”

On April 21, Choo sprained his left ankle while playing in Oakland. Although he seemed to be in a much better shape for Sunday’s name, during which he got on base five times against the Angels, he said he’s still not 100 percent healed.

“It’s getting better day after day,” he said. “I need to take care of it, but I think it’ll take some time.”