Texas Rangers to include some top prospects on 60-player roster for spring training
MLB teams can have up to 60 players at spring training 2.0, and the Texas Rangers are going to use some of their spots for top prospects.
General manager Jon Daniels said that most players will be from the 40-man roster and non-roster invitees who were still in camp when spring training was canceled in mid-March.
But some prospects who are not on the 40-man roster will be included. Daniels didn’t specify which players are under consideration, but 2019 first-rounder Josh Jung, catcher Sam Huff and right-handed reliever Alex Speas are a few of the possibilities.
“We’re still making some of those decisions,” Daniels said. “We have to submit the list of 60 players by Sunday. I don’t necessarily expect we’ll take the whole time. We’ve basically informed a big group of players so far. We have a handful more that we have to make some decisions on. There are some guys that would be considered more prospects than the true major league options at least at the start of the season on the list.”
Daniels said that all 60 players will be in Arlington when spring training resumes at Globe LIfe Field. Players must report by July 1, and the first workout will be July 3.
Players will use three different clubhouses. They will work out on a staggered schedule, per the MLB operations manual, and some will use the weight room at Globe Life Park.
Once the 60-game season begins July 23 or July 24, those who aren’t on the active roster will continue to work out as a group. Daniels said they will either work out at Dr Pepper Ballpark, the home of Double A Frisco, or at Globe Life Park.
The Rangers believe most baseball activities can take place at their old home even though it has been converted to a football and soccer stadium.
Draft picks sign
All five players drafted June 10-11 by the Rangers have signed their first professional contracts.
The last two agreed Wednesday morning. Third-rounder pick TK Roby, a prep right-hander from Florida, signed for $775,000, and fifth-rounder Thomas Saggese, a prep shortstop from California, signed for $800,000.
Roby will bypass a scholarship to Troy, and Saggese will forego his commitment to Pepperdine.
They join first-rounder Justin Foscue, second-rounder Evan Carter and fourth-rounder Dylan MacLean, who signed Friday.
Reliever injured
Left-hander Joely Rodriguez, one of the Rangers’ off-season free-agent acquisitions, was injured earlier during the shutdown for the coronavirus pandemic, and isn’t expected to be ready for the new Opening Day.
Rodriguez, who spent the past two seasons in Japan, suffered a strained lat muscle in late April or early May. He is throwing again and continuing his rehab in Arlington, and Daniels believes Rodriguez will be ready not too long after the opener.
Left fielder Willie Calhoun (broken jaw), catcher Jeff Mathis (hamstring) and right-hander Jesse Chavez (shoulder) are expected to be ready to start the season.
