Texas Rangers still smitten with Leody Taveras, but must see this in spring camp
This story is one in a series of position previews leading to Texas Rangers spring training. The first workout for pitchers and catchers is Wednesday, and the first full-squad workout is Feb. 22.
Time to reflect is often a good thing, and the Texas Rangers have had an entire offseason to take a step back and attempt to curb their excitement over Leody Taveras.
As the 2020 season ended, Taveras was primed to be the Rangers’ everyday center fielder indefinitely. He didn’t post a great average (.227) and struck out too many times (43 in 119 at-bats), but he made gains with his bat while maintaining his top-notch defense and elite speed.
Of all the young players who made their MLB debuts last season or were given an opportunity at extended playing time, Taveras was the creme de la creme.
Four months later, with spring training fast approaching, the Rangers’ view of Taveras hasn’t changed.
His ceiling is a multiple-time All-Star. His floor is an everyday center fielder who makes his team better with his glove and isn’t a liability at the plate.
That’s a heavy burden of expectation for a player who skipped Triple A and wasn’t particularly good in his Double A season. Oh, don’t forget Taveras is only 22.
It’s entirely possible pitfalls will show themselves in 2021, but center field will be his as long as he doesn’t backtrack in Arizona.
“We were all impressed with Leody last year, his attitude, the way he worked, the way he prepared, all the things he did on the field,” manager Chris Woodward said. “If the season started today, he would probably be our center fielder. He’s got to earn that, though, in spring training. The growth in this guy, we’ve got to see it.”
They saw more of it than they were expecting last season, beginning in spring training. Taveras seized the opportunities provided to him in his first big-league camp and did it again in summer camp, so much so that he was on the Opening Day roster.
Once it became apparent that the Rangers would not contend for the postseason and the decision was made to launch into a rebuild, Taveras took over in center field.
The position had been manned by Danny Santana, who struggled at the plate early and injured his elbow; Nick Solak, who had never played the position in the major leagues; and Scott Heineman, who wasn’t given much of a chance to show his worth.
They were quickly forgotten as Taveras lived up to his defensive reputation but showed an improved approach at the plate. Though his strikeouts were up, some of which came at the behest of coaches as they sought more power from a bit more chase, he also had a higher walk percentage than at any point in the minors.
And, yes, there was more pop from the switch-hitter, and it came from both sides of the plate.
But teams will adjust and the road could be more difficult for Taveras, who narrowly retained his rookie status. He will have to adjust, too, and that’s the growth Woodward said the Rangers needed to see.
If Taveras needs more development time at some point, David Dahl could move from left field. Woodward said he isn’t interested in moving Gold Glove right fielder Joey Gallo to center.
The Rangers signed Delino DeShields to a minor-league deal, and a good camp could convince the Rangers to put him on their bench as insurance.
The first choice, though, is clearly Taveras. The Rangers seems convinced, even after four months to change their mind, that he is the real deal.
