Jeff Banister returns Arizona @ rangers may 2-3

[True Rangers Fan]

The Rangers bullpen has cost the Rangers at least 2 games.

3 in the last week + for sure. 2 in Cincy and last night.

although last night, the management wasn't ideal. Sborz shouldn't have started a third inning and LeClerc should have rode the pine.

 

[saddles]

kinda seems like deconstructing the offseason over and over is pointless.

LOL, but deconstructing the deconstruction of the offseason isn't?

 

[saddles]

but the offseason actually ended a few months back.

Lol, you know by now I am going to be all over the place. Present, recent past, distant past, near future, distant future -- it's all fair game.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

LOL, but deconstructing the deconstruction of the offseason isn't?

Lol, you know by now I am going to be all over the place. Present, recent past, distant past, near future, distant future -- it's all fair game.

we're all on the same page with the bullpen. wasn't upgraded to the extent it needs to be, and that's unexpectedly an even bigger problem now. but the flip side of the coin is that it's a bigger problem because the Rangers are in 1st place, and that's a good problem to have.

 

[DT LUNA]

we're all on the same page with the bullpen. wasn't upgraded to the extent it needs to be, and that's unexpectedly an even bigger problem now. but the flip side of the coin is that it's a bigger problem because the Rangers are in 1st place, and that's a good problem to have.

I do not like losing a game because we are afraid to use Dunning etc because we might need him etc two days from now. Win the game you are playing at the present. It is possible to lose down stream too. Only use Sborz and Leclerc when absolutely necessarily. We should not have allowed them to lose the Arizona game.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

I do not like losing a game because we are afraid to use Dunning etc because we might need him etc two days from now. Win the game you are playing at the present. It is possible to lose down stream too. Only use Sborz and Leclerc when absolutely necessarily. We should not have allowed them to lose the Arizona game.

I agree. Especially with the off-day today, no need to play it conservative in a close game.

 

[Kelleyman]

 

[saddles]

Okay, enough about the past. How about something about the future? Here is the latest from Future Star Series about my two favorite possible draft picks for the Rangers, since Dylan Crews will be gone by the time we pick.

2. Wyatt Langford, OF — Florida

After hardly playing at all in 2021, Langford burst onto the scene in 2022 as a regular for the Gators. He proved himself one of the most impactful players in college baseball blasting 25 homers as part of his complete-player profile.

Langford’s bat carries his prospect status. It’s plus raw power and an above average hit tool, maybe a tick better. He doesn’t expand the zone, and his ability to cover spin and velocity in the strike zone is tough for his peers to match. The exit velocities here compare favorably to just about any single player in this draft class.

He’s a plus runner who has the chops to handle centerfield or left field at the next level. It’s polished too. Langford is yet to record an error in his three-year Gator career. Langford’s throwing arm may be his only tool that is below above average grade. The standout Gator has a chance to join the 25-25 club at the next level while providing high on-base clips.


4. Walker Jenkins, OF — South Brunswick

Jenkins is the most physical prep bat in the 2023 class with a legitimate shot at a 60 hit tool and 60-grade game power. Between he and Max Clark, it’s essentially a toss-up in this spot depending on your flavor.

Jenkins has had an extremely loud spring, albeit a short sample at time of publish. His physicality really stands out, and his athleticism in the corners, as well as his plus throwing arm look like real assets moving forward.

On top of his traits on the diamond, Jenkins is a unanimous 80-grade human being with an extremely humble disposition and a unique approach to his own professional development. Jenkins is an accomplished swimmer in his off-seasons. You’d be hard-pressed to find another player who scouts speak more highly of than Jenkins. It’s a cherry-on-top that he has 30-homer upside moving forward.

 

[saddles]

And just in case the Rangers decide to once again go pitching here us an update on the most likely candidate.

3. Paul Skenes, RHP — LSU

It’s been an unreal year for Paul Skenes. After transferring into Baton Rouge after two years at the Air Force Academy, Skenes saw his stuff explode under the direction of pitching coach Wes Johnson. Now he’s being talked about as the best college pitching prospect in 20 years.

The fastball catches the headlines sitting 97-99 deep into outings and grabbing triple digits with regularity early in his starts. The pitch explodes at the top of the zone and he commands it very well. Skenes throws a slider close to 90 mph, and it’s been a whiffs machine all season. There’s also a low-90s changeup in there, though he’s hardly had to use it. Ironically, scouts liked the changeup more than the slider entering the season.

As for intangibles, Skenes hides the baseball efficiently making for an even more frustrating experience at the plate for hitters. He comfortably has two 70-grade or better offerings and looks like the type of arm who could be pitching on a Major League roster before the 2024 season comes to a close.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

Okay, enough about the past. How about something about the future? Here is the latest from Future Star Series about my two favorite possible draft picks for the Rangers, since Dylan Crews will be gone by the time we pick.

2. Wyatt Langford, OF — Florida

After hardly playing at all in 2021, Langford burst onto the scene in 2022 as a regular for the Gators. He proved himself one of the most impactful players in college baseball blasting 25 homers as part of his complete-player profile.

Langford’s bat carries his prospect status. It’s plus raw power and an above average hit tool, maybe a tick better. He doesn’t expand the zone, and his ability to cover spin and velocity in the strike zone is tough for his peers to match. The exit velocities here compare favorably to just about any single player in this draft class.

He’s a plus runner who has the chops to handle centerfield or left field at the next level. It’s polished too. Langford is yet to record an error in his three-year Gator career. Langford’s throwing arm may be his only tool that is below above average grade. The standout Gator has a chance to join the 25-25 club at the next level while providing high on-base clips.


4. Walker Jenkins, OF — South Brunswick

Jenkins is the most physical prep bat in the 2023 class with a legitimate shot at a 60 hit tool and 60-grade game power. Between he and Max Clark, it’s essentially a toss-up in this spot depending on your flavor.

Jenkins has had an extremely loud spring, albeit a short sample at time of publish. His physicality really stands out, and his athleticism in the corners, as well as his plus throwing arm look like real assets moving forward.

On top of his traits on the diamond, Jenkins is a unanimous 80-grade human being with an extremely humble disposition and a unique approach to his own professional development. Jenkins is an accomplished swimmer in his off-seasons. You’d be hard-pressed to find another player who scouts speak more highly of than Jenkins. It’s a cherry-on-top that he has 30-homer upside moving forward.

of all the "new" about this phase of the franchise, hoping they go offense instead of pitching with their first round pick is probably the most bewildering thing. i really hope they get this one right.

 

[saddles]

of all the "new" about this phase of the franchise, hoping they go offense instead of pitching with their first round pick is probably the most bewildering thing. i really hope they get this one right.

And then some say Skenes could be the best college pitching prospect in 20 years so it would be hard to be upset about them taking him. I just really like the hitters the best.

Yes, it is odd that we are currently so much better off with pitching prospects than hitting prospects.

 

[saddles]

Huff is on fire.

 

[saddles]

Today:

Foscue 3 for 4 with 2 doubles and a walk
Crim 1 for 4 with a walk
Huff 2 for 5 with a HR

Current OPS

Foscue .905
Huff .812
Crim .856

 

[saddles]

Kyle Cody has struggled early on, but he only gave up 1 earned run in 3 innings today. If he gets things righted, they might bring him up for the pen at some point.

 

[saddles]

Those OPS for Foscue, Huff and Crim are all fairly close to their career OPS numbers.

 

[Kelleyman]

Via Calis

 

[True Rangers Fan]

Huff is on fire.

Huff's greatest contribution to the franchise might be as a trade piece that brings back a bullpen arm that helps us win it all.

 

[saddles]

 

[saddles]

Huff's greatest contribution to the franchise might be as a trade piece that brings back a bullpen arm that helps us win it all.

Huff for one set up man, Foscue for another set up man, and Acuna for a closer.

 

[armadillooutlaw]

Huff for one set up man, Foscue for another set up man, and Acuna for a closer.

Is it crazy that I cringe at the thought of having to give up those three players for bullpen help? Even though I'm in total agreement with you guys about needing to fix the bullpen...