For the first time in eight seasons of 'Reports', I really, truly do not know what to write. Let's start with Spring Training. First, Drake didn't attend a single Spring Training game. Even last year we got to attend a couple before we headed to Brooklyn to enjoy a year of COVID-19. This year, Drake proclaimed 2021 Spring Training REALLY wasn't baseball. Here are a few of the Spring Training wrinkles which prompted that opinion:
(1) The reappearing pitcher. You can take out your pitcher, rest him for an inning or so, then reinsert him into the game. What's up with that? Rationale is you protect your pitcher's arm since they've also had a year of abnormality. If he throws too many pitches during an inning, well, you can take him out and bring him back.
(2) "Rolling an inning". If your pitcher has thrown 20 pitches, the manager can choose to end the inning and begin the next half-inning. It happened five times in a Rangers/White Sox Spring Training game, and boy, the fans booed louder and louder.
(3) Some seven inning games; some nine inning game, who ever knew why? Actually, I do - split squad games were seven innings just as a doubleheader was played last season during the regular games.
(4) The fans allowed into the park (25% capacity) paid dearly for those tickets: No walk up sales, and tickets sold on-line in groups of four - period. Some tickets topped $100 each.
(5) Almost no TV games. The TV commentators as well as the top radio commentator didn't come to Arizona. There were a few games 'televised'. The few that were televised consisted of the commentators watching and calling the game from their Zoom meeting in Arlington. The TV commentators were noticeably handicapped because they couldn't walk around the club and the work out fields talking to the players. There was more radio - but it was very hard to follow since there were lots and lots of minor league players - who, incidentally, are desperate to play - they lost an entire season since there was no minor league action last summer.
So, that all said..... Here's what I know: The Rangers have won more games in Spring Training that I can remember in the past few seasons. They are a run scoring machine. It's not been uncommon to see (or hear) five plus runs in a game. I wouldn't call them 'crisp' in the field, but they aren't awful either. The pitching has been sparkling or dull as dishwater. Not too much between.
Don't look for Elvis this year unless we are playing the "A's" - he will be in green and gold. That trade pissed me off terribly. The clog in the infield is still with us. Odor hasn't really played any better in Spring Training than he has the past three years. Disappointing. A strike-out machine with iffy fielding. Batting average way, way below the Mendoza line (199). The only bright news is he won't be playing second base. That job now belongs to Nick Solak who has played solidly this spring. Isaiah Kiner-Falefa will be the shortstop, and he just keeps getting better and better. Third base still isn't decided: Brock Holt, (age 32, solid player), Charlie Culberson (31, first round draft choice in 2007 with a solid Spring) or Odor. Holt deserves the job, and Culberson deserves to be on the team. Odor doesn't. However, he's being paid a butt load amount of $$, so who do you think is going to make the team? It's not rocket science. And, at first base, a new name: Nate Lowe, age 25, originally drafted by Tampa Bay in 2016. This is a breakthrough spring for him. Guzman will make the team, but as a 1st base back up and sometime outfielder. He's out of options, and both Drake and I think Guzman is getting ready to break out. He can't clear waivers without being claimed by another team, and Texas has put a lot into this kid who is an amazing 1st baseman. Joey Gallo has the right outfield spot nailed down. He will play in every game. He's becoming amazing. He just keeps improving while hitting homeruns at a furious pace. Another new name: Leody Taveras. He will play centerfield. He's also only 22 years old and fast as greased lightening. His challenge will be to hit major league pitching. A lot of talent, but hitting is his Achilles heel. Left field is up for grabs. Calhoun is on the IR. There's been a parade out there, so who knows who will prevail? There aren't any big name players vying for the job.
With the squirrely rules this Spring, I can't even name the four starting pitchers. I do know Lance Lynn and Mike Minor WON'T be in Texas. Gone, gone, gone. Our two major bullpen guys are O U T with injuries - LeClerc and Hernandez. The opportunity to set up and close is up for grabs. One of the guys I'm rooting for is Matt Bush. He battles his personal demons - (addiction problems) - and in the past year and a half he's had some serious injuries with drastic measures employed including Tommy John surgery to get him back on the field. He's a bright prospect for closer.
Designated hitter: Who knows? Both Calhoun (groin strain) and Khris Davis (quad strain) [this is the guy we got for Elvis] are both hurt. David was supposed to be the right hand bat hope. Didn't see much before he went down hurt.
Catcher: Bright spot on the team. Alex Trevino will be solid behind the plate, and Jonah Heim, age 25, has been known as a solid gloveman, but weak hitter with back him up. He's turning that around at this Spring Training. It will be interesting to watch him develop. He's already been with three teams, and I think if he found a home, he could be a major surprise for the Rangers.
The bottom line: A 500 season would be an achievement for the Rangers and well within their grasp. This team is going to be exciting to watch: Lots of runs. I'm looking a final Spring Training game against the Cubs: It's 12 - 8 Rangers, but the pitchers are struggling in the top of the 9th. Sigh. They finally got the Cubs out for a Ranger win. In Spring Training we've come from behind repeatedly even after giving up runs by the bunches. They finished up 13 wins and 9 losses. Respectable. Let's hope this upcoming season winds up the same way.
