Sometimes a quiet early July trade can become one of the more impactful deals of the trade deadline period. When the Texas Rangers swung a deal sending Peter Fairbanks to the Tampa Bay Rays for Nick Solak in 2019, it was generally viewed as a fair deal. However, teams dealing with the Rays have to keep their guard up, as the Rays have been known to be big winners in many of their deals.

While his counterpart Peter Fairbanks will live forever in internet virility for being on the mound while the Rays recorded the final out to clinch the 2020 American League Championship, Nick Solak has been turning himself into a steady contributor in Texas. So far this season Solak is slashing .271/.350/.457 and posting a 131 wRC+ for 1.1 fWAR. His 131 wRC+ is good for fifth in the Major Leagues among second basemen with over 50 plate appearances this season ahead of names like Ozzie Albies, Marcus Semien, and Jose Altuve.

Previously, Solak had been the Yankees 8th best prospect before being traded to the Rays organization. Unfortunately, the Rays seem to covet middle infielders and the glut of middle infield options turned that strength into a surplus. With Willy Adames, Brandon Lowe, and Joey Wendle establishing themselves as solid regulars over the past few seasons players like Nick Solak and Daniel Robertson became expendable.

This is not an article about the Rays strategy in terms of acquiring talent for their Major League roster, but it does seem that they understand the intrinsic value of middle infield talent that can hit and they seem to enjoy stockpiling it.

On the other hand, the Rangers seem to be able to identify glut and have made some interesting moves to construct their current offense built around super slugger Joey Gallo. Nick Solak is one of three surplus deals the Rangers have acquired that are helping fuel their offense. Along with former Dodgers outfield prospect Willie Calhoun and another former Rays first base prospect Nate Lowe, the Rangers have a solid core of young bats that could usher in the next competitive window if they can ever develop any good pitching.

Additionally, Solak has really begun to thrive following the departure of Rougned Odor. Although Solak had supplanted Odor as the every day second baseman this season, Solak has really been able to flourish without the threat of losing playing time or platooning hanging over his head.

The other interesting aspect of Solak’s offensive game is he seems to have a good understanding of his swing and is aware of what pitches he can drive with his swing. It seems as though he does not approach his at bats looking for a perfect pitch-because that probably wont happen- but he looks for balls in a general area that he feels he can drive. He is especially dialed in on attack zones 2, 5, 6, 8, and 9.

Although his set up is pretty unconventional with the way he stands relatively upright with the bat flat and slightly angled over his back shoulder, once he initiates his first move he puts himself in great positions to do damage. Specifically, as he sets up his hinge in his lower half, he does a good job getting his hands and bat in a good position to launch. In turn, he can leverage his relatively small frame for an incredibly efficient and powerful swing.

The Texas Rangers may not have the pitching depth to be a threat in the American League West this season, but they certainly have an offense that can put a lot of pressure on opposing pitchers. Despite a slow start offensively at home, the Rangers are improving in that regard as well and Nick Solak seems to have finally emerged as a catalyst in an underrated offense.