Rangers manager Ron Washington said a move to the leadoff spot May 18 has been the primary cause of Elvis Andrus' extended slump, according to the Dallas Morning News.
Andrus had five hits in his first game as a leadoff hitter, bated .189 with a .265 on-base percentage while batting leadoff, through June 15. Even a move down to the No. 2 spot has not been able to stop his slide, as his overall batting average since that five-hit game is just .170, ranking him 99th out of 100 hitters in the American League with at least 90 plate-appearances.
"He wanted to be the igniter," Washington said. "He started taking pitches and all of a sudden he’s down 0-1, 0-2. And then he’s just fighting to stay alive. He dug himself a hole, but I think the shovels are gone now."
Andrus has seen the majority of his time in the No. 2 spot in his career, putting up a .692 OPS in 1,462 at-bats, but that number is down to .570 in 184 at-bats this season.