A new bat. 50 comments


Badly in need of starting pitching, the Texas Rangers made a move yesterday, acquiring power-hitting first baseman Tommy Joseph off waivers from the Phillies.

The 26-year-old Joseph was the starting first baseman for Philadelphia last season, but lost his job when the Phillies signed Carlos Santana, then lost his roster spot when they signed Jake Arrieta.

Joseph has some pop. He hit 22 home runs last year in a full season, and 21 in 2016 in more of a part-time role.

It’s a good pickup but, with Joey Gallo entrenched at first and Shin-Soo Choo at DH, there’s not really a place for him other than offering Banister a power bat off the bench, assuming he stays in Arlington. Since he still has options, he might start the season in Triple-A. A right-handed batter, he hits right-handers slightly better for average than left handers, but his overall splits are pretty even.

He was originally a catcher but concussions forced him out from behind the plate.

He cannot pitch.