2019 Texas Rangers Spring Training Thread

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[DT LUNA]

Still think Gallo is our future at DH when Choo leaves

His future has not been determined and not sure he has one if he doesn't improve at hitting. Let's hope he will.

 

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5 stats that may just say something about how significant Rangers projects are progressing this spring

17: Percentage of time Joey Gallo has swung out of the zone at a pitch before two strikes. Originally, we were going to note that Gallo has not yet homered in a game, but really that's not a big concern. Yes, he had five homers last spring, but three of them came in the final three exhibitions.

What is significant is that Gallo has been working hard to eliminate early-count chases. A year ago, he swung at pitches outside of the zone 30 percent of the time before he got to two strikes, manager Chris Woodward said. The reduction, even over a small sample size, suggests a commitment to addressing the biggest weakness in his game.

"I told him today, that if he keeps that up, he's going to be an MVP candidate," Woodward said. "Do that, everything else will take care of itself."

 

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1.90: The composite WHIP (walks and hits per inning pitched) for Ariel Jurado and Yohander Mendez. Ostensibly the two closest-to-the-big-leagues prospects in the system, neither has done anything to create any confidence in their ability to fill in if a starter goes down. They are both headed for the Triple-A Nashville rotation.

0.85: The composite WHIP of Adrian Sampson and Jason Hammel. On the other hand, these two non-roster invitees have both made cases for themselves. And the Rangers could use both in the organization. The issue is that taking one on the roster will be challenging enough, let alone both.

Hammel can take free agency if he's not added to the roster and has indicated he won't go to Triple-A Nashville after 12 years in the majors.


"If we don't take him, I think somebody else is going to sign him," Woodward said. "I think it would be pretty easy for him to find a job."

Sampson does not have the same ability to take free agency. And, if he is added to the 40-man roster, he would have minor-league options remaining, making him a very attractive guy to shuttle between the minors and majors when an extra arm is needed.

 

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1.321: The team-leading OPS of Elvis Andrus. And before you stop me, yes, it's a little silly to gauge much off 20 spring training at-bats. But it's worth noting... Andrus saw a real downturn in production last year after returning from an elbow fracture. So, even if the numbers generated are in a small sample size, it's worth observing that he appears to be more confident with his swing.

It's all the more important considering that, as the roster and batting order are currently constructed, Andrus is the team's No. 3 hitter. They need somebody with the capability of an .800 or better OPS, which is what Andrus produced over the 2016-17 seasons. Last year, he had a .926 OPS through his first 52 at-bats, then suffered the elbow injury. From the time he returned until the end of the season: .636, which was the sixth-lowest figure in the majors (minimum of 300 plate appearances) in that time frame. It was a concern. His spring training performance suggests that at least the physical ability is there.

 

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9.17: Strikeouts per nine innings by the Rangers' planned starting rotation of Mike Minor, Lance Lynn, Edinson Volquez, Drew Smyly and Shelby Miller. The most important development from this group is that they have all stayed healthy to this point. Second most important: They are striking batters out. Rangers starters ranked last in the majors in strikeouts per nine innings in 2018 and it was a big contributor to their inability to shut down threats.

In hindsight, the issue was evident last spring. The opening day rotation averaged 6.36 strikeouts per nine innings in spring training; it was right on par with their 6.28 average for the season. The big challenge comes over the final 10 days of exhibitions as starters start go through an order three times.

"I think it shows up when you get ahead and we have done that," manager Chris Woodward said. "When we get ahead, we have shown the ability to finish guys off. But you have to get ahead first."

 

[Kelleyman]

Forsythe the new utility infielder

 

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That might have been something to remember when they were filling out their rotation over the last few months.

 

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In other words, the veteran starters didn't like the idea. Not that I blame them.

 

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[Duane1952]

That might have been something to remember when they were filling out their rotation over the last few months.

I hope so, I'm going to that came. I think Lynn might be the second coming of Matt Moore.

 

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[Kelleyman]

That might have been something to remember when they were filling out their rotation over the last few months.

Not sure where you are coming from?

 

[Duane1952]

If DDJ falters you'll see Tocci back with the Rangers. He had a good spring.

 

[Kelleyman]

Will be interesting how the handle him, Jason Hamel and other relievers

 

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Not sure where you are coming from?

It was not wise to have that many guys in the rotation who need pampering with limited pitch counts. We already had Volquez. There were plenty of other fish in the sea and we could have easily signed a fully healthy pitcher to get us through this season. I don't understand why they couldn't have figured that out several months ago.

 

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Will be interesting how the handle him, Jason Hamel and other relievers

He probably should be starting and maybe Sampson too.

 

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I hope so, I'm going to that came. I think Lynn might be the second coming of Matt Moore.

We may have more than one Matt Moore this season.