Logan Forsythe's production emerging as comfort with Rays increases
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- His attempt at redemption gained momentum with comfort, all this as his role became more defined, the progress part of an evolution that has made him a surprise face of consistency for a lineup that knows plenty of turnover.
Infielder Logan Forsythe has changed from a bench player to a big name as part of the Tampa Bay Rays' rise within the American League East. He has gone from a sporadic presence to a solid contributor. He has made the leap from a sputtering figure at the plate to someone who's secure in where he's headed.
"This year, I got back to a different mind-set, the mind-set that helped me be successful in the past where I can be a guy who helps," Forsythe said. "Just the confidence was there. The big thing was getting an opportunity to come in right off the bat and play, kind of get back to that everyday-type role."
More than a year after his darkest days with the Rays, when he posted a dreadful .167 batting average and a .502 OPS in 48 plate appearances in April 2014, that old pain seems long gone. Here was Forsythe sitting near his stall Tuesday afternoon at Tropicana Field, with his right hand rubbing the light stubble on his chin and his right leg resting atop his left, everything before him more familiar than when he closed last season with an inconsistent .223 batting average and a .616 OPS in 301 plate appearances. His current numbers reveal comfort.
Entering play Tuesday, he ranked second on the Rays with seven home runs. He stood tied for first in RBI with Steven Souza Jr., both boasting 26. His 13 doubles tied him for the team lead with Evan Longoria. He owned the Rays' best total for extra-base hits with 21.
Not bad for someone whose first impression was more whoopee cushion than "Wow!" after his arrival from the San Diego Padres in a seven-player trade in January 2014. Not bad for someone who turned that early slide into a chance to pick himself up, dust off the dirt and reinvent the way he goes about his business.
"I think, last year, being traded was an experience," Forsythe said. "And that's something I can take for the rest of my career. If it were to happen again, (I'd try) not to be too cautious going to a new team. Not that I should have been, because these guys were welcoming -- more than expected when I came in here. But yeah, I think it was, 'I don't really want to step on anybody's toes.'"
This year, he has pounced on opposing pitching instead. Much of the transformation has to do with his increased presence in the lineup, something he sought at spring training's start. Before Tuesday, he had hit .276 in 196 at-bats, a total that places him on pace to shred his career-high 315 at-bats from 2012 with the Padres.
In a season when little has been stable for the Rays due to a wild number of health issues -- kudos to manager Kevin Cash for using a dry-erase board during his pregame media session Tuesday to explain his team's tangle with injuries -- Forsythe's bat has provided some calm within the storm.
Forsythe's explanation for his offensive uptick is straightforward: There was a strong personal plan installed in the spring with help from hitting coach Derek Shelton. The focus remains fixed on single at-bats, not larger static such as slumps or streaks. If Forsythe finds himself in a situation to move over a base runner or drive in a teammate, then that's the goal.
Nothing more. Nothing less.
It's baseball, not nuclear physics.
Then there's the comfortable rhythm Forsythe has enjoyed in recent months. He hits as part of the first group in batting practice. He works different parts of the field. When he's done there, he fields ground balls in the same way each day.
Sounds simple. Boring, even.
But there's reward in the repetition.
"I think playing every day helps," Cash said. "Most players will tell you that if they can get some timing up, that helps a lot. But I think the way Logan goes out and prepares every day is why he's consistent.
"Any time you can get a routine workload and be able to play every day, I would imagine that would be beneficial."
Sure, it's beneficial. But the change in Forsythe's momentum has been the product of many hands, with some credit to Cash necessary.
"He's on top of it," Forsythe said. "Even with the bench guys, he's letting them know the night before whether they're going to play or not. That's such a big mental advantage for the guys. They get to go home, and they get to realize that, 'Oh, I'm going to the park tomorrow, and I'm playing, and I'm in the lineup.'"
Forsythe doesn't have to wonder any longer about his place. He started off well in April by hitting .282 with two home runs, 10 RBI and an .835 OPS. He followed that by hitting .297 with three home runs, 12 RBI and an .834 OPS in May.
He's beyond living as a newcomer trying to maneuver within an unfamiliar environment. He has changed for the better, and his reinvention tale is a success story so far.
"Coming to a different organization, you never really know how stuff is run, what they expect or what your role is going to be," said Rays reliever Brad Boxberger, part of the same trade that brought Forsythe to Tampa Bay. "There's always the learning period of training and trying to find out what they want you to do and what your role is going to be and what personalities are going to work within a new organization.
"I think the biggest difference probably for him is getting the opportunity to start and play every day. I know in San Diego and here last year, he was kind of like a bench player. ... This year, he has gotten the opportunity and definitely proven what he can do on the baseball field."
This year, Forsythe's story is much different than the last. And, sure, more redemption can be gained.
You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.
