2014 Offseason

[saddles]

TEX Futures Lineup ...

SS – Hanser Aberto

CF -- Lewis Brinson

3B -- Joey Gallo

C – Jorge Alfaro

RF—Nomar Mazara

1B – Trever Adams

LF – Nick Williams

2B – Michael De Leon

DH – Kellin Deglan

I guess Deglan turned some heads with all of the HRs he hit in Winter ball.

 

[saddles]

I see that Chi Chi and Faulkner are scheduled to pitch in the Futures Game.

 

[Windingmywatch]

I see that Chi Chi and Faulkner are scheduled to pitch in the Futures Game.

Yea -- I should have posted that too. We ought to hold onto that lineup card and see where those guys all are in 3 years.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Don't really care one way or another but was Alfonso Soriano an IF first before going to the OF or had he played in the OF previous to playing 2nd base.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

TEX Futures Lineup ...

SS – Hanser Aberto

CF -- Lewis Brinson

3B -- Joey Gallo

C – Jorge Alfaro

RF—Nomar Mazara

1B – Trever Adams

LF – Nick Williams

2B – Michael De Leon

DH – Kellin Deglan

Will be an entertaining game as the Cubs have some good future games players as well.

 

[Windingmywatch]

Don't really care one way or another but was Alfonso Soriano an IF first before going to the OF or had he played in the OF previous to playing 2nd base.

In a matter of speaking he was in MI primarily before moving to the OF ... just wasn't a very good one. Didn't happen until he was sent to WSN from TEX.

 

[donaldson79]

Buster Olney's Ranger ranking and blurb.

23. Texas Rangers

With Yu Darvish out for the year, this is a team still taking shape; Prince Fielder andShin-Soo Choo haven’t really clicked at the plate yet this spring. If they do, the outlook for the Rangers will change. A really interesting number that might mean nothing, or could be a good sign: So far this spring, Fielder has just two strikeouts in 37 at-bats.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Edwards' faith guiding force in battle with cancer | texasrangers.com

That was a good article.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Look out Donaldson. The Vols may get Barnes.

 

[donaldson79]

Look out Donaldson. The Vols may get Barnes.

Tha sun won't be up for another hour and you hit me with this. Ouch

I get this move for Barnes 100%. I don't at all understand it from the Volunteer standpoint.

 

[saddles]

Evan Grant is taking your questions today at 4:00, but you can leave the questions now if you wish.

Evan Grant answers Rangers questions at 4 p.m. Tuesday; ask yours now | Dallas Morning News

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Holland starts today and the game is on TXA21 at 3:05

 

[WastinSomeTime]

This is all I could find about the Futures Game last night. Gallo and Bryant did not play.

Rangers recap: Texas prospects take Futures Game showcase against the Cubs | The Star Telegram The Star Telegram

 

[saddles]

I read this morning that Gallo didn't play in the Future's Game because of a problem with his heel.

 

[saddles]

Baseball America ranks the Rangers Farm System as #11 in baseball.

2015 Organization Talent Rankings - BaseballAmerica.com

11. Texas Rangers

2014 Rank: 9. 2013 Rank: 3.

TOP 10 PROSPECTS
1. Joey Gallo, 3b (6)
2. Jake Thompson, rhp (43)
3. Jorge Alfaro, c (67)
4. Nomar Mazara, of (87)
5. Nick Williams, of
6. Alex Gonzalez, rhp (89)
7. Ryan Rua, of/3b
8. Luis Ortiz, rhp
9. Josh Morgan, ss/2b
10. Ryan Cordell, of/1b

How They Got Here: Texas’ international aggressiveness is well documented and has produced both big leaguers, such as 2014 rookie Rougned Odor, and collateral for trades. Now, the homegrown hitters Texas has struggled to draft and develop have started filtering up the pipeline, led by Joey Gallo, who has more raw power than anyone in the game save perhaps Giancarlo Stanton. Adding Jake Thompson from the Tigers in the Joakim Soria deal could pay big dividends, as could a strong 2014 draft class.

High-Ceiling Sleeper: RHP Alec Asher has advanced quickly to Double-A and has thrown a high volume of strikes since signing in 2012. If he can stay healthy—he had a contract voided in 2010 due to an elbow issue—he profiles as a potential rotation piece with solid fastball command.

2015 Rookies: Ryan Rua, who got his feet wet with Texas in September, was in the mix to be the starting left fielder, while LHP Alex Claudio and RHPs Jerad Eickhoff, Roman Mendez, Phil Klein, Spencer Patton and Jon Edwards could factor into the bullpen. Another lost big league season could speed the timetable for Gallo, Thompson or Jorge Alfaro, who all likely will start 2015 back in Double-A.

 

[BULLPEN FAILURE]

Rua and Smolinski have made team. Wright released.

 

[donaldson79]

Hitzges' take on ST? He was most disappointed by the fact so few people actually seized the opportunity to make this club, and/or start.

Goose was on with him about 11 and he is really concerned about the number of innings which have to be eaten up by our starters.

 

[donaldson79]

Rua and Smolinski have made team. Wright released.

Not at all surprised by any of the three. In fact, I'd be more surprised if all 3 of these moves hadn't happened.

 

[saddles]

Rangers are expected to vary batting order this season | The Star Telegram The Star Telegram

Rangers hitters are going to have to become comfortable with being uncomfortable as they slide up and down the lineup this season, and be most comfortable knowing that they have a spot in the order.

“We’ll see how it plays out,” Banister said. “It’s going to be a work-in-progress pretty much all year long.”
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Banister said that the opposing pitcher is a key factor. Left-hander or right-hander. Reverse splits or traditional splits. Susceptible early in games or late in games.

Maybe the foe’s starter is Clayton Kershaw, and runs will have to be manufactured. That could dictate which hitters Banister picks and where he decides to put them.

Maybe an opposing starter is terrific over this first 50 pitches, but then finds trouble thereafter. The batters who take the most pitches per plate appearance could be higher in the lineup.

“There’s a lot of different factors that go into it,” Banister said.

 

[BULLPEN FAILURE]

Rangers are expected to vary batting order this season | The Star Telegram The Star Telegram

Rangers hitters are going to have to become comfortable with being uncomfortable as they slide up and down the lineup this season, and be most comfortable knowing that they have a spot in the order.

“We’ll see how it plays out,” Banister said. “It’s going to be a work-in-progress pretty much all year long.”

I have no statistical evidence to back any of this up, but it seems like jacking with the lineup on a regular basis produces inconsistent results.