ANAHEIM, Calif. - The stats show Delino DeShields went into Saturday's game with Los Angeles a more dangerous offensive player than he's ever been.

And those aren't even the most significant stats.

As he plays more regularly, what stands out most is that he's become a more-than-adequate defender and an efficient, not just speedy, baserunner. Put it together with the offensive improvement - better success against right-handed pitchers, a better approach at the plate - and the picture starts to emerge of an everyday player.

This is not unimportant, especially when you consider that after a 2-0 loss to Los Angeles, the focus is turning to 2018. The Rangers now trail Minnesota by five games for the second wild card spot with 14 games to play. The only thing the Rangers accomplished Saturday was preventing Houston from clinching the AL West for another day. The Astros must win on Sunday or the Rangers must lose to keep the Angels alive in the race. The Rangers were eliminated Friday night.

Among those important projects for 2018: Identify an everyday center fielder. Other than DeShields, there isn't one under control for next season. Carlos Gomez, earning $11 million this year, can be a free agent. DeShields is putting himself in position to lock down the spot so the Rangers can focus energy and resources on solving other issues.

"Well, he sure hasn't hurt himself," manager Jeff Banister said Saturday. "He's done about as much as he can and he's continued to do it. He's forced us to view him in that type of [starter] light."

DeShields started for the 15th consecutive game Saturday and has started 29 of the last 33, dating back to mid-August. He had one of the Rangers three hits, was the only Ranger to reach third base and the only one not to strike out.

He's played center every day for the last week while Gomez has been recovering from a high ankle sprain. It's very possible he will remain there when Gomez is again available, which might be early next week.

And whether in center or left, he's played far better defense than in 2015. According to Fangraphs, which tracks the metric of "Defensive Runs Saved," DeShields has "saved" six runs this year compared to costing the Rangers nine in 2015.

While the .280 batting average, .353 OBP and 28 steals are all nice numbers, the defensive ones are the ones that stand out. Banister acknowledged Saturday that at the beginning of the season, the Rangers felt DeShields had farther to go as a defender than a hitter to nail down a starting job.

"I've worked on reaction stuff," DeShields said. "I think, as a result, my angles and jumps have gotten better. I feel like I'm getting to the ball easier than I did before. I'm getting to balls that I didn't think I initially had a shot at. And I'm trying to keep learning."

Said Banister: "Last year, when we graded him out, he was the guy right behind [Gomez] with the most efficient route rating among our outfielders. It's not surprising to me that he's taken that next step. He's got that skill set. His reaction time to the bat off the ball is better. His routes are more direct. And I think his arm has gotten better."

And it's not the only area. As a baserunner, he's shown tremendous improvement, according to those advanced metrics. Fangraphs gives him an 8.4 rating in is baserunning stat. Among players with at least 300 plate appearances this season, only Cincinnati's Billy Hamilton and Minnesota's Byron Buxton are higher. The stat takes into account more than just stolen bases, but also advances, outs on bases and the taking of extra bases.

When it comes to straight steals, DeShields entered the day tied for fourth in the AL with 28. His stolen base percentage has jumped, too, from 75.8 in 2015 to 78.7 percent this year.

"He's showing everybody that he comes to play the game," Banister said. "I commend him for it."

"I feel like I'm in a good spot," DeShields said. "I expect a lot from myself and I know I can be better."

As the season fades, what has become more evident is that DeShields has gotten better and there is no reason to think he can't continue to improve.

It very well may solve a pending offseason issue for the Rangers before the offseason ever arrives.

Twitter: @Evan_P_Grant