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For Rays' Logan Forsythe, consistent chance pays dividends

 
Logan Forsythe says consistent playing time is the primary reason he has done so well at second base and even more so at the plate, sharing the Rays team lead with 17 RBIs while ranking at or near the top in average (.300), extra-base hits (16), doubles (11) and on-base plus slugging percentage (.862). [Getty Images]
Logan Forsythe says consistent playing time is the primary reason he has done so well at second base and even more so at the plate, sharing the Rays team lead with 17 RBIs while ranking at or near the top in average (.300), extra-base hits (16), doubles (11) and on-base plus slugging percentage (.862). [Getty Images]
Published May 19, 2015

ATLANTA — Any discussion of Logan Forsythe's unexpected and impressive performance for the Rays this season includes a lot of talk about consistency.

Forsythe says consistent playing time is the primary reason he has done so well at second base and even more so at the plate, sharing the team lead with 17 RBIs while ranking at or near the top in average (.300), extra-base hits (16), doubles (11) and on-base plus slugging percentage (.862).

"I think that's the biggest turnaround this year, the consistency, knowing I'm going to be in there," Forsythe said. "So I know if I can mentally stay more consistent with my plan and my game, then maybe that helps us win, and that's all I really want to do."

Manager Kevin Cash says that consistent performance has made Forsythe one of biggest reasons for their surprising 21-18 start.

"You can make the argument he's been the most consistent player we've had offensively, maybe even defensively, too," Cash said. "He's just played great. It's funny sometimes. I don't know what kind of opportunity he had last year, but given the opportunity he's had this year, with some of the injuries and partly that he's earned, he's definitely made the most of it. … He's a big part of what we're doing."

Forsythe, 28, was anything but last season after being acquired in a seven-player trade with the Padres, especially early on. He started only 27 of Tampa Bay's first 70 games, and through mid June he was hitting .178 with six extra-base hits, no homers, five RBIs and a .461 OPS.

Part of the problem, Forsythe said, was coming to a new team and the discomfort that accompanies it, "trying not to step on anybody's toes."

And part of it was coming to the Rays, and the adjustment that was required, specifically to their ways of using players in different and unusual roles based on matchups and situations.

Add in the slow start and limited opportunity to make up for it, and the vicious spiral seemed never-ending.

"I think it was a mix," Forsythe said, "coming in and maybe trying to do too much to try and show the guys I should be here and I can help them out."

It wasn't all bad, but it certainly wasn't good for his first full season in the majors: .223 with six homers, 26 RBIs and a .606 OPS while batting in all nine spots in the order (joining teammate Brandon Guyer as the only two in the majors) and playing five positions.

Forsythe showed up in Port Charlotte in February feeling well, with no lingering injury issues as in the past, and more comfortable with what was expected, even with the new Rays regime.

"This year was a lot different," he said. "I came in knowing the guys, knowing the team, knowing what to expect, knowing how we do it here. And I just completely accepted it."

With starting middle infielders Yunel Escobar and Ben Zobrist traded, Forsythe was slated for the short, right-handed side of platoon duty at second base, sharing with Nick Franklin. But the oblique Franklin strained in late March created an opening for Forsythe to get regular playing time, and he has taken full advantage, enough so that he will remain the primary starter even with Franklin returning Sunday.

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"I always thought that Logan was a good player, but you can't be expected to play up to your full potential when you don't have consistent opportunity," third baseman Evan Longoria said. "It's tough, really tough, to be a bench player and play once, twice a week. I just think that we're finally starting to see the full potential that he had."

Forsythe said he was determined to make the most of his chance, focused on doing what he could and not falling back into the trap of trying to do too much.

"I just sort of told myself, 'You've got an opportunity, play your game and see what happens,' " he said. "From that standpoint, I'm pleased with how things are going. But I think there is still room for improvement. And even more consistency."

Of course there is.

Contact Marc Topkin at mtopkin@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_Rays.