Willie Calhoun Embraces 2022 Head-On With A Special Batting Helmet| Rangers Have Hopes For This Promising MLBbro

Willie Calhoun Embraces 2022 Head-On With A Special Batting Helmet| Rangers Have Hopes For This Promising MLBbro

by | Apr 16, 2022 | 5TH SLOT

MLBbro Willie Calhoun has worked hard to become part of the future of the Texas Rangers franchise.

The one thing that has slowed his progress is the laundry list of injuries that he has suffered throughout his short career.

2020 was the season when the injuries hit him the hardest. Despite a season that started late due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Willie missed time due to a hip flexor and a hamstring injury. But it was this facial injury on March 8th that Calhoun and Rangers fans remember the most.

 

A Julio Urias fastball near the end of spring training broke Willie’s jaw that required surgery. He never got in sync hitting only .190 with one home run and 13 RBI in 29 games.

After another slow start to last season with a groin strain, Calhoun’s consistent play made him a staple at the lead off slot for Texas. The hottest streak in his career was halted by another pitch that broke his forearm that required surgery.

But a batting helmet change called a C-flap has helped Willie Calhoun get ready for this season in two ways. One, it will allow him to get back to crowding the plate to use the entire field to put the ball into play. Two and most importantly, it will allow him to be more confident at the plate, something according to MLB.com, he was starting to get away from.

“I kind of got off the plate the last two years, and I’m not wearing the C-flap anymore, so I feel like that was a big thing for me,” Calhoun said. “I just told myself that I was going to be able to go back to staying on top of the plate and go back to that approach and I’ve been hitting with my whole life. The last few years, I’ve been so off the plate and stuff because…I wouldn’t say I was timid or scared, but I mean, in a way, I was. Especially after I got hit in the arm. But this year, I’m going right back to [hitting] on top of the plate — how I used to do it.”

Calhoun and the Rangers hope this adjustment will help him more at the plate against left-handed pitching where he struggled early in his career.

 

 

This MLBbro was a centerpiece in the Yu Darvish trade back in 2017; so, his talent is undeniable to the organization. Both parties are looking for improvement on his six homer, 25 RBI performance from last season.

Willie Calhoun’s MLB Rise Is Cut Down By Injury Again

Willie Calhoun’s MLB Rise Is Cut Down By Injury Again

by | Jun 30, 2021 | THE THREE SPOT

Willie Calhoun finally worked his way into being a main staple in the Texas Rangers lineup. But after fracturing his forearm when he was hit by pitch in Saturday’s game, he adds to a long list of unfortunate injuries he has suffered early on in his career.

This is the second time a hit by pitch will cause Calhoun to miss significant time.  On March 8, 2020, he was hit in the jaw by a Julio Urias fastball in one of the final spring training games of the season.

 

 

That seemed to start a string of injuries in 2020 for Calhoun.  Even with the start date of the season being pushed back due to COVID, he missed the beginning of the year with a hip flexor and would also miss most of the month of August with a hamstring injury.

He finished the 2020 season with a .190 batting average in only 29 games with just 13 RBI and one home run.

A groin strain caused Calhoun to miss the start of this season, so many feared the deja vu scenario of another slow year could be in the cards for Calhoun. This was not the case though, as he had earned a consistent role in the starting lineup with his play this season.

 

 

Calhoun had batted .254 with five home runs and 19 RBI in 59 games this year.  He found comfort in the leadoff spot and was on pace to outdo many of his 2019 numbers, which were the best of his career.

 

 

There is never a good time for injury, and Calhoun was playing some of his best baseball of the season before he went down.  In the seven games prior, he was batting .375 with a .438 slugging percentage and scored three runs.

Calhoun underwent surgery to repair the fractured ulna bone in his left arm on Tuesday. And while the Rangers have no timetable for his return, he appears to be in good spirits as he is hopeful to return before the end of the season.

 

 

The Rangers are in rebuild mode and Calhoun is going to be one of the most important pieces in getting the team back into playoff contention.  They acquired him a few years ago in a deal that sent Yu Darvish to the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

In years prior, the Rangers had too many options and not enough lineup spots, which many times left Calhoun as the odd man out of the starting lineup.  He made the most of his opportunity this season, and will look to continue his strong play when he returns to the team as well as into next season.