Early spring games don’t matter? They did with latest Texas Rangers roster projection
The previous exercise in selecting the Texas Rangers’ Opening Day roster came before they had even played a game, and most of the selections were playing the odds-on favorites.
Twelve spring games don’t make for an enormous sample size, but the performances in those games can make for favorable first impressions that last throughout camp.
As such, there are a few changes to the Star-Telegram’s second guess at which 26 players will be in Seattle on March 26.
The Rangers are still planning to carry the maximum 13 pitchers with 13 positions players. Two bench spots and two bullpen spots appear to be all that left to decide, though a spring injury or the March 30 off day, only four games into the season, could create some intrigue.
Pitchers
Rotation (5): Corey Kluber, Lance Lynn, Mike Minor, Kyle Gibson, Jordan Lyles
Changes: None
On the bubble: None
The Rangers have an off day March 30 after their first four games at Seattle. Technically, they wouldn’t need a fifth starter until April 4, but they could simply piggy-back Gibson and Lyles on March 29.
The Rangers could give Gibson some time on the injury list to start the season as he deals with ulcertive colitis, but he said he doesn’t need it.
Bullpen (8): RHPs Jose Leclerc, Rafael Montero, Jesse Chavez, Nick Goody, Jonathan Hernandez, Cody Allen; LHPs Joely Rodriguez, Brett Martin
Changes: Edinson Volquez dropped
On the bubble: Allen, Luke Farrell
Hernandez’s stuff, including a 100-mph fastball, and his ability to toss multiple innings makes him too hard to keep off the roster. Farrell doesn’t hit 100, but he can work multiple innings effectively.
Volquez, meanwhile, is being limited to one-inning outings, and there is concern he won’t be able to pitch on consecutive days. That’s troubling.
Allen will pitch Thursday for the first time in more than a week while dealing with forearm tightness. He has work left to do, but his experience as an effective late-innings reliever is enticing.
Position players
Catcher (2): Robinson Chirinos, Jeff Mathis
Changes: None
On the bubble: None
The injury to Jose Trevino has made this an already probably scenario a near lock. Trevino will have his broken index finger examined again March 16, five days before camp ends and 10 days before Opening Day. He hasn’t been ruled out as a candidate for the season opener, but the injury makes his candidacy seem more improbable.
Chirinos played in a game for the first time Monday as the designated hitter and will catch for the first time Friday.
Infield (5): Elvis Andrus, SS; Rougned Odor, 2B; Todd Frazier, 3B; Ronald Guzman, 1B; Isiah Kiner-Falefa, utility
Changes: None
On the bubble: Matt Duffy, Greg Bird
Kiner-Falefa’s recent power surge, albeit in spring training, is opening eyes. He is the Rangers’ best shortstop other than Andrus, and his play at third base isn’t significantly behind Duffy.
Duffy has far more MLB experience and his bat might survive better off the bench than Kiner-Falefa’s would. He would need a spot on the 40-man roster.
The race to be the first baseman is off to slow start. Advantage to Guzman over Bird.
Outfield/DH (6): Willie Calhoun, LF; Danny Santana, CF; Joey Gallo, RF; Shin-Soo Choo, DH/OF; Scott Heineman, CF; Nick Solak, utility
Changes: None
On the bubble: Heineman, Blake Swihart
Heineman has impressed at the plate, can play center field well, can play first base in a pinch, and can fly. Those are all key attributes for a bench player, but the question would be if his swing can hold up without regular playing time.
Also, Solak has convinced the Rangers he can play center field a couple times a week. With him, Santana and Gallo able to play center, do the Rangers need another center fielder on the roster?
Swihart hasn’t played center field in the majors, but he has played left field, right field, first base, second base, third base and catcher. He’s a switch hitter, too, but he has to show more at the plate.
This story was originally published March 4, 2020 at 4:17 PM.
