Marcus

Lemon

Lemon has posted a disappointing .271/.341/.366 batting line in 615 minor league games. The 23-year-old infielder is the son of former major-leaguer Chet Lemon.

Lemon, the son of former major-leaguer Chet Lemon, received a $1 million bonus as a fourth-round pick of the Rangers in 2006, but he hasn’t posted an OPS higher than .686 since 2008 in High-A ball. The 23-year-old batted just .254/.303/.333 with two homers, 21 RBI, eight stolen bases and a .636 OPS between High-A Lynchburg and Double-A Mississippi in 2011.

Lemon had an ugly .241/.307/.327 batting line in 329 plate appearances this past season for Triple-A Toledo, but the Tigers will keep him around as infield depth. The 25-year-old has not appeared in a major league game.

Lemon’s .259/.343/.338 line isn’t very impressive, but he’s getting better every month. Also, since the 2006 fourth-round pick just turned 19 last month, he can afford to repeat Clinton next year and maybe have a breakthrough similar to John Whittleman’s.

Lemon, who was slowed by a hamstring injury early on, is hitting an impressive .304/.421/.408 as a 20-year-old in the California League. Unfortunately, his defense at shortstop does leave something to be desired. The left-hander hitter has a chance of making it as a second baseman against right-handers, but a utility role might best suit his abilities.

Lemon, a 2006 fourth-round pick, had been sidelined with a hamstring injury.

A reactionary move after Khalil Greene failed to report to camp due to his ongoing battle with anxiety disorder. Lemon, who turns 22 in June, batted .262/.326/.333 in 126 games with Double-A Frisco last season and is a longshot to make the Rangers’ Opening Day roster.

Lemon, who can also play second base and the outfield, batted .271/.325/.355 with three homers and seven steals at Double-A Frisco last season. He could be assigned to Triple-A.