Andrelton Simmons provides defense on a level that makes his offensive contributions secondary, maybe even a bonus. But for much of Simmons' big-league career, the imbalance between his defense and offense was so lopsided that he was collared with a dreaded baseball tag: glove-first.

Still, Simmons’ glove was so exceptional that the Braves plugged him in every day for more than three seasons after his debut in 2012. The Angels were then interested enough to trade for him despite weak runs created plus (wRC+) marks of 71 and 81 in 2014 and 2015, respectively.

But despite teams’ ongoing willingness to ink Simmons’ name in the lineup, he wasn't satisfied. Simmons knew he had it in him to produce at the plate. He didn’t let the glove-first label undermine him, but rather used it as motivation to prove his detractors wrong.

“Oh yeah, you take (labels) personally,” Simmons told Sporting News. “Like a lot of guys in that situation; whenever someone says you can’t do something or labels you, you want to prove people wrong.”

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Simmons, 27, has performed well at the plate this season, entering Friday’s play with a .278 batting average, .335 on-base percentage and a .408 slugging percentage. The average would be just shy of his career-high (.281) set last season, while the on-base percentage and slugging percentage would set career-bests in a full season.

Maybe most importantly, Simmons’ walk rate is at a career-high 8.0 percent (it was 5.6 percent in 2014 and 6.7 percent in 2015). He's creating runs at the plate (103 wRC+) while still saving them in the field (11 defensive runs saved in 2017).

Simmons is beginning to emerge as an all-around player, capable of using his offensive skills to win ballgames, just as his glove and arm have consistently done from the beginning.

His recent offensive focus has been on better recognition of pitches and understanding how pitchers attack him at the plate. The lessons learned through repetition in practice sessions are having tangible results.

“I’m getting better at doing what I’ve been working on (in batting practice) in the game,” Simmons said.

There was an inkling the approach was changing last season, after a 34-game disabled list stint due to surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb.

Upon his return, Simmons went on a strong 93-game spree which showed his potential, slashing .302/.349/.395 across 365 plate appearances. The success harkened to the days when Simmons’ bat was not an issue.

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In 2011, Simmons demonstrated he could swing the stick when he led the High-A Carolina League in batting with a .311 average in 570 plate appearances. The knock in that season, and through his first four-plus big league seasons, was his inability to draw walks because of impatience at the plate — something that might have been avoided with more experience in the minors.



Minor League Ball’s John Sickels was prophetic in a scouting report written as Simmons hit the big leagues in 2012 after playing just 44 games in Double-A.

The biggest warning sign for Simmons is simple lack of experience. He's made a lot of progress over the last year and clearly has the tools to be a regular major league shortstop, but with just (44) games of Double-A under his belt, and no Triple-A experience at all, promoting him now is a risk. Simmons may have some growing pains as he adjusts to the majors, but is likely to be the long-term solution.

Minor league reps are important for a hitter because it's difficult to recognize pitches and learn pitcher tendencies. Simmons had to learn that at the game’s highest level, which contributed mightily to his early offensive issues. But he's overcoming the bumps in his progress and has a new mindset when he steps into the batter’s box.

“It has to do with getting used to seeing certain pitches, getting to see more off-speed pitches and recognizing breaking balls,” Simmons said. “(I’m) understanding what pitchers are trying to do. It’s been (about) getting better at perfecting my craft.”

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Since coming back from the injury in 2016, Simmons has played 168 games (678 plate appearances), in which he has hit .291 with a .343 OBP, .401 SLG and 105 wRC+. Simmons has 46 extra-base hits (34 doubles, two triples and 10 home runs), 74 runs, 69 RBIs and 23 stolen bases during the span.

The hard work is paying off as Simmons strives to become a threat at the plate and on the bases — hopefully shedding the glove-first label for good.

Despite the positive results, he believes there's more to come before he’ll consider himself a complete player.

“I am my hardest critic,” he said. “I know what I am capable of and I won’t feel at ease until I’m playing up to my full potential.”