Official 2014 Texas Rangers Spring Training Thread

[jta4437]

Except that we won't need a fifth starter until April 8th. Does that change things?

Not really, I'm guessing we don't see Lewis til the end of April, he's still working the kinks out IMO

 

[TheRangerDude]

If Ross gets the last spot, I hope he gets at least 1 start before Harrison comes back. I want to see what the kid can do. Tomorrow should give us a better feel for the last 2 spots.

Personally I think Ross could be a dominate starter. His stuff might not knock you off your feet but he trusts it and comes after you. Has that die hard never back down sort of attitude you have to respect. I can't even count how many times he has has came out of the pen with RISP with 1 out or less and shut the door. Those are the sort of things that don't show up in the traditional stat lines.

 

[romeo212000]

Personally I think Ross could be a dominate starter. His stuff might not knock you off your feet but he trusts it and comes after you. Has that die hard never back down sort of attitude you have to respect. I can't even count how many times he has has came out of the pen with RISP with 1 out or less and shut the door. Those are the sort of things that don't show up in the traditional stat lines.

He's a pitch to contact guy who trusts his defense, kind of like Harry. With our defense he could be very successful.

 

[romeo212000]

Not really, I'm guessing we don't see Lewis til the end of April, he's still working the kinks out IMO

I'd say you're probably right. Colby is still building arm strength abd working out his new mechanics. To be honest, it wouldn't surprise me to see a slight uptick in his velocity once he gets things sorted out since he should be able to drive through his stride toward the plate now.

With that said, I agree he's going to need some time to get comfortable. If he and Harry are ready to roll and effective by the end of April they could provide a hell of a shot in the arm, but the club would have some difficult decisions to make.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Except that we won't need a fifth starter until April 8th. Does that change things?

It might if the Rangers have enough sense to start with a 4 man rotation which they have seemed reluctant to do many times in the past.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

He certainly didn't have a banner day. But this said, he threw the ball to location pretty well, and had some balls/throws which could have gone better too. Had he not walked 2 in the second (it was the 2nd I think), his line would have been better.

To me, it was an OK outing. Nothing to write home about, but on paper it looks worse than it really was IMO.

I agree. One thing that as irritated with a number of pitchers is not putting a batter away with 0-2 or 1-2 counts. Hanson walked Moustakis after being up 0-2. Gave up a cheap hit on a 2-2 good curveball but started 0-2. That was tough. But then walked Dyson before the if hit to SS. Then the dam broke.

 

[Justinkm83]

Rangers face deadline on Hanson | texasrangers.com: News


His time as a Ranger could be over. I doubt he goes to the minors.

 

[Justinkm83]

The other spots on the bench are becoming clearer. The Rangers sent Brent Lillibrudge back to the Minors, leaving Josh Wilson and Adam Rosales as the remaining utility infield candidates. Wilson appears to have the edge.
"Wilson is the better defender," manager Ron Washington said. "That's obvious."
Kevin Kouzmanoff is close to winning a spot as the backup corner infielder and Michael Choice is still the leading candidate to be the fourth outfielder because he is a right-handed hitter. Jim Adduci and Engel Beltre are still in camp but are left-handed hitters. Beltre is out of options.
"I love Engel's talent and style," Daniels said. "He loves to play the game but it's not a perfect fit. It would be better if he was right-handed."


At some point I remember saying that it didn't make a lot of sense to have a LH 4th OFer.

 

[TheRangerDude]

Rangers face deadline on Hanson | texasrangers.com: News


His time as a Ranger could be over. I doubt he goes to the minors.

I don't think anyone would loose any sleep over it if that ended up being the case. Still would be nice to have the depth in the minors or even as the long guy. I think I would rather see Lewis there but rumor has it he won't be ready to start the season. Do you see any MLB picking him up at this point if he did in fact ask to be released? I really don't but I suppose there is always some pitching staved team out there willing to take a risk.

 

[TheRangerDude]

He's a pitch to contact guy who trusts his defense, kind of like Harry. With our defense he could be very successful.

 

[Justinkm83]

I don't think anyone would loose any sleep over it if that ended up being the case. Still would be nice to have the depth in the minors or even as the long guy. I think I would rather see Lewis there but rumor has it he won't be ready to start the season. Do you see any MLB picking him up at this point if he did in fact ask to be released? I really don't but I suppose there is always some pitching staved team out there willing to take a risk.

Injuries will probably allow him to find a job with someone, if he finds himself on the market.

 

[donaldson79]

I think AAA depth is the place for him. That leaves Lewis, Ross, and Saunders competing for the last two spots.

I think you're right. But I don't see Hanson accepting a move to AAA with so many teams needing arms.

Good for him if he can land somewhere, and it wasn't a big gamble on our part to bring him in. Cost us almost nothing really.

 

[romeo212000]

Can we please call Soria the Texicutioner from the start this year?

 

[jta4437]

I think you're right. But I don't see Hanson accepting a move to AAA with so many teams needing arms.

Good for him if he can land somewhere, and it wasn't a big gamble on our part to bring him in. Cost us almost nothing really.

Well to maintain depth they might start Ross off in AAA and give Hanson the first crack at the ML rotation

 

[Justinkm83]

MLB -- BBTN 100: Ranking the top 10 right-handed starters in MLB for 2014 - ESPN

 

[romeo212000]

Well to maintain depth they might start Ross off in AAA and give Hanson the first crack at the ML rotation

I'd hope they don't.

 

[jta4437]

I'd hope they don't.

If Ross isn't up to snuff then we lose 2 starting candidates instead of just one, its just playing the roster management game

 

[romeo212000]

If Ross isn't up to snuff then we lose 2 starting candidates instead of just one, its just playing the roster management game

I understand, but imo we need to put the best team.out there we can. Ross will have another shot to prove he's ready, and it will be a big one. If he shows he needs more polish then fine, start him in AAA and give Saunders the fifth spot in the rotation. But if he really looks like he's ready and can do a better job, then he needs to be in the rotation.

 

[donaldson79]

If Ross isn't up to snuff then we lose 2 starting candidates instead of just one, its just playing the roster management game

I'm totally on board with ya on this. If Hanson (or someone else) and Ross are close, then send RR down to save the roster spot. Not only does it give time for Ross to stretch out a little more, it gives the team the opportunity to really see when Harrison and Lewis might be able to step in.

When Matt and Colby are ready, then you make the roster decisions necessary.

 

[jta4437]

I understand, but imo we need to put the best team.out there we can. Ross will have another shot to prove he's ready, and it will be a big one. If he shows he needs more polish then fine, start him in AAA and give Saunders the fifth spot in the rotation. But if he really looks like he's ready and can do a better job, then he needs to be in the rotation.

I get the rationale but its early and its important to keep depth throughout the year and Ross could certainly use the time to keep building himself up stamina and working on his pitches