Spring Training is in full swing, so this entry is for my Texas Ranger baseball fans - which should be EVERYBODY. Yes, I know, the last snippet was one of those fanatic statements of which sports people are guilty. And, yes, thanks to my upbringing and Drake's baseball fanaticism, I am a sports person. The best thing about baseball is the pace and watching it with someone who is so knowledgeable. Oh, and you can do other stuff like read, write and embroider when it's on TV.
The American League West this year will be decided by injuries. Every team, except poor Oakland, can contend for the division this year, but the runner-up will not have a good enough record to catch on as a wild card team. Since the talent is so close on each team, it is important to get off to a good start. The Rangers have the second best record in the Cactus League at the halfway point of Spring Training.
The AL West pitchers are the second factor which will decide the division. As we Ranger fans can tell you, losing ANYONE in the starting pitching rotation can spell disaster. Here's how the Ranger starters are shaping up: Darvish is just now starting to 'toss', but I don't expect him to be 'in form' until after the All Star break. Lewis looks good; right on schedule. Holland is still a 'wild card'. Drake just has this little nagging doubt since he really hasn't pitched for almost two years. Hamels should be Cole Hamels. The really good news is Martin Perez is looking very sharp. Nicky Martinez, Chi Chi Rodriguez, and Nick Tepesch are all competing for the last starting spot - each has had sparkling and disastrous outings. Tepesch is now officially lagging behind. He's had two bad outings. We watched him last night give up five runs in one inning effectively giving up the game.
Other than the last starting pitcher, left field and a utility infielder as well as some of the relief pitchers are the only 'open spots' on the Ranger club. We couldn't understand why Jon Daniels bought Ian Desmond, a strong hitting shortstop for $8 million. He's a former all-star shortstop of the Nationals. He hasn't played a single game in the infield; instead, they have been converting him to be an outfielder. He's practically started every game at left field, and now, he's going to be tried out in center field. (Last night he started in center and made an error.)
Well, the deal is this: Desmond's a great RIGHT HANDED hitter, and an natural athlete. We need right handed hitters. Plus, the rumor is the team is going to carry an extra pitcher, so Desmond, who can spell Odor and Elvis, becomes an even bigger asset. There's also Ciriaco, a 30 year old player, who can play every position except pitcher and catcher, and he's looked really good this spring. He's been around the league, but just hasn't managed to really 'catch on' anyplace. I would have to say the best quasi rookie with a shot at the team is Ryan Rua. He's hitting gangbusters, can play the outfield with ease, and is even getting a try-out at first base. Last year he made the club and promptly broke his foot.
Of course, Josh Hamilton is still in the mix - but hasn't played an inning this Spring - a bum knee. You either love or hate Josh, so I'm not going to argue for or against him. He's aging out, but can be brilliant still in short bursts. Unfortunately, the bursts aren't predictable. We'll see. As long as the Angels are paying for him, we'll use him.
Elvis looks good. Odor strained one of his oblique muscles, and while he says he's 100%, we haven't seen him on the field in more than a week. Fielder is hitting, and Beltre looks indestructible. DeShields is also playing quite well. Choo looks like he did in the second half of last year. We finally understood why Daniels paid him so much. I would say the 'regulars' are doing their work and all came to Spring Training in shape and ready to play.
As to up and comers: Until Joey Gallo learns to hit inside junk, and actually play a position with authority, it's Triple A for him again this year. I've seen him hit some incredibly long home runs, and in the next at bat look quite bad. I'm much more sold on Nomar Mazara, a young outfielder (age 20?) who looks great at the plate. He won't make the team this year, but he just gets better and better. There's a new kid in camp called Ryan Cordell, age 23, who played AA last year in Frisco. He's an outfielder who can also play 3rd and shortstop - although, we haven't seen him in the infield. Big, tall, fast, and looks very good at the plate. I think they wanted to see him hit against some major league pitching, and he's done well. Juricksen Profar is healed after a two year shoulder injury. He's looked good in Spring Training. Drake has speculated that Profar will be in AAA to see if that shoulder will hold up to everyday play. It's going to be interesting to see what Jon Daniels does with him. Hanser Alberto, an incredible infielder, who can play multiple positions, is also knocking at the major league door, and Drake thinks he's possible trade bait.
Our farm system is just chock full of great looking young players. One of the really fun parts of Spring Training is getting to watch these players. It's comforting to know there's talent waiting in the wings to come up and sub when the inevitable injuries strike the club.
That's about it from Surprise. The crowds have been much bigger this year because of the Division win last year. This past week as well as next week is what I call Spring Break time. The stands are full of elementary school kids coming to Spring Training during their break from school. That would have been Drake's idea of a heavenly vacation when he was 10 years old. Oh, wait a minute! Now, Drake gets to be 10 years old every Spring. That's your inside look at the 2016 Rangers from your own Spring Training reporter.
