Howdy, Ranger Fans. It's your locally informed reporters, Drake and Jan, bringing you the latest Texas Ranger news from the Spring Training Cactus League in Surprise, Arizona. First, the World Baseball Classic affected the entire Spring Training regime this year. The Rangers had a LOT of front line players whisked away to various teams competing in the WBC. Spring Training was extended for one week to accommodate the tournament. Since the WBC was a two week tournament carved out of Spring Training games we saw a larger number than usual of young players being evaluated for the few positions open on the club.
As a supporter of the concept of the WBC, we were entertained by the games played by many of the best players in the world. These games were like watching play-off games, and they were exciting. The USA is still lagging in terms of top line players wanting the WBC experience, and most top starting pitchers have taken a 'pass' on signing up for any team. On the Rangers, Adrian Beltre, Alex Claudio, Rougned Odor, Robinson Chirinos, Sam Dyson, Jonathan Lucroy, Jurickson Profar, and Martin Perez all participated in the WBC playing for the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, The Netherlands, and the USA. Dyson and Lucroy, playing for the USA came away with World Baseball Championship Gold Medals since the USA won the tournament for the first time. I wonder if they will hang them on their lockers?
The biggest competition on the Rangers in Spring Training was for the 4th and 5th starter positions in the pitching rotation. Tyson Ross and Andrew Cashner, both starting pitchers, were the only two significant off season acquisitions. They both had resumes that suggested they would be successful even though they were recovering from off-season surgeries. Both are still currently on the DL (disabled list). Ross is expected to be back in the early part of the season, and Cashner before that. Neither is automatic for any starting job at this point. Bannister, the Ranger's manager, has speculated publicly he will start the season with a four man rotation (Darvish, Hamels, Perez, and Griffin) because of scheduled 'off' days in early April, and then will move to the traditional five man rotation in late April.
Darvish, Hamels and Perez all looked excellent in Spring Training. Darvish and Perez both look completely recovered from their Tommy John surgeries. An interesting twist this year to Spring Training is we didn't get to see any of our top three pitchers routinely. The Rangers were hiding their starters from their American League competition. This is a common strategy for starters who are 'inked into' the starting rotation. A. J. Griffin, sporting shoulder length long blond hair with a full beard, looked competent as our fourth starter.
A surprise during Spring Training was a player who we acquired from the Astros under the Rule 5 draft. (FYI: If you pick a guy off the Rule 5 draft, you have to keep him on your major league roster for the entire year or offer him back to his original club.) Mike Hauschild, 27 years old, pitched quite well during Spring Training, and we speculate he will make the bullpen as the 'long man' with a chance at spot starts as well as the possibility of entering the starting rotation full time if someone falters or is injured.
Delino DeShields, a Rule 5 Draft acquisition two years ago, struggled last year and was 'up and down' between the big club and Triple AAA. This spring he seems to have regained his form from two years ago, and we've seen the jackrabbit on the bases, a spark plug in the lead-off spot of the batting order seemingly getting on base both with hits and walks and then stealing second. Using their body chemistry as a clue, Shin Soo Choo, a veteran outfielder seems to have taken this young player under his wing. Bannister commented DeShields conditioned himself in the off season to drop some weight and 'unmuscle' himself to increase his speed on the bases. It showed in Spring Training. DeShields should start the year at the major league level.
Jurickson Profar is an amazing player. So far, we've watched him play 1st base, short stop, third base, second base, and the outfield with excellent performance at each spot. For example, when he plays first base, you'd think it was the only place he's ever played. He is still switch hitting, and he's shown he can consistently hit major league pitching. Even with the shoulder injury, which took two years to fully resolve and heal, he's still a very, very young player with tremendous potential. His versatility should cement his place on the major league club. It's become obvious why the Texas Rangers have refused to trade this player.
Another player, Ryan Rua, just keeps improving. This spring he has shown he's comfortable hitting major league pitching and is selective in choosing his pitches to hit. He's showing he might become a 20 plus home run hitter. He's become a solid young player with upside potential being able to play both at first base and the outfield. He should also make the major league club.
Mike Napoli, a perennial Ranger fan favorite, returns for his third time. He was signed for two reasons: First, he provides the home run 'pop' which is always a plus on a club, AND he's a competent first basemen to replace Mitch Moreland, who, as a free agent, was signed by Boston. Why didn't Jon Daniels resign Moreland? We think it's because of a young first baseman in the Ranger's farm system. Ronald Guzman is a 6'6" young player who has major leaguer written all over him. He's probably about one year away from ''prime time". He looks supremely comfortable at first base, and he should also be an asset at the plate soon. Napoli is signed for one year, and we think Guzman or Rua are waiting in the wings to be the next long term Ranger first baseman.
Roughned Odor, Elvis Andrus, and Adrian Beltre all look ready. All are proven players who understand how to maximize their talents over the long, long baseball season. Elvis, who had groin surgery in the off season, as well as getting engaged (Google this - it's charming) is expected to regain his speed on the bases, and he looks like he's going to hit even more home runs than he did last year. Beltre, due to being used as the DH in the WBC this year, is still getting into form, but no one is worried about that. He will be 39 years old this year, and he's on the cusp of breaking some milestone records including getting 3000 hits. We think Bannister will be judiciously resting him this year using the DH as a way of getting him some 'resting' time from fielding his demanding position in the dog days of the Texas summer.
As to the outfield: Carlos Gomez could start the season on the DL, but his injury is minor which has dampened his playing time in the spring. If he does, then center field will be open to be played by DeShields. We think the right fielder starter will be Nomar Mazara, a sophomore player, who had an outstanding rookie year. He has specifically been working on hitting off speed pitching during winter ball. His Spring Training plate appearances show he's been successful. Choo, who has been the starting right fielder when he was healthy, is going to be used more as the DH this year. He would like to start at least twice a week, but has publicly stated after a meeting with Bannister, he would do whatever the team needs.
All the outfield positions, back up first baseman, and the DH spots are going to be shared by Gomez, Profar, DeShields, Choo, Rua, Mazara and possibly Drew Robinson. With the career ending injury to Prince Fielder and the departure of Carlos Beltron to the Astros, there will be no 'regular designated hitter' for the Rangers. Instead, the DH will be the place where the veteran starting fielders will be rested from the field.
Drew Robinson is the young 24 year old who has stood out in Spring Training. He's on the 'bubble' to make the club. He also brings versatility being able to play all the infield positions as well as the outfield. His bat has been lively this spring. He's ready for the big leagues, but there are only 25 spots. He's in a crowded competition with Rua, Profar, and DeShields. We think, unless Gomez starts the season on the disabled list, and/or Bannister goes with a four man rotation to begin the season, Robinson will start the year in Triple A waiting in the wings for the inevitable injury.
So, how are the Rangers going to do this year? The pundits are predicting they will finish third behind the Astros and the Mariners. Everyone is picking the Astros to win the division. Then, it's split between the Mariners and Rangers for second place. However, everyone agrees it's a three team race in the American League West because of injuries, lucky breaks, and that undefinable 'chemistry' which seems to affect some teams. The chemistry element is something Jon Daniels, Ranger General Manger, definitely fosters. He believes a certain "team first" attitude in the club house translates into wins. He chooses players who buy into that formula. This can't be measured in terms of 'wins', but we've seen it working as recently as last year.
The Rangers seem to have the balance and the organizational depth to be 'right there' at the end of the season with a shot to win the division. It could possibly be the luck of the schedule, or as stated above, injuries which decide who wins the American League West. The Rangers have the talent to make this a fun season. Go Rangers.
No comments:
Post a Comment