Travis Jankowski Paying off for Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers signed Travis Jankowski for one year and the cheap deal is paying off big nearly a month into the season.

Where would the Texas Rangers be without Travis Jankowski? That’s actually a legitimate question as the Rangers reach the end of April.

Jankowski has turned out to be one of the best signings the American League West-leading Rangers (14-10) made this offseason. MLB.com agrees, listing the Jankowski signing as one of 14 under-the-radar signings of the offseason.

Some of the names on the list are veterans with name recognition like Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Evan Longoria and Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Jason Heyward.

Jankowski is an eight-year vet the Rangers signed to a $1.25 million, one-year contract before Spring Training. He was told by manager Bruce Bochy that he wasn’t going to make the team on the flight back to Arlington.

Leody Taveras’ injury allowed the Rangers to keep Jankowski, and he’s flourished as a rotational starting outfielder who has gotten more playing time in the wake of the injury to shortstop Corey Seager.

Per MLB.com:

Jankowski had been utilized as a strong defender in the outfield and a speedster on the basepaths over eight MLB seasons entering the 2023 campaign, but he’s been a pleasant surprise at the plate for Texas. Over his first 14 games with the Rangers, he’s gone 11-for-37 (.297) with three doubles and a triple. His 11 hits are two more than he had in 55 at-bats last season.

Jankowski left Wednesday's 5-3 loss at the Cincinnati Reds after suffering left hip tightness after diving for a fly ball. His status for Thursday's game with the New York Yankees is unclear. 

Jankowski is batting .340 this season. The best batting average of his career was the .259 in 2018 with the San Diego Padres in 117 games. It was one of his two seasons of at least 100 games.

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