Series Thread: Rangers Travel to Kansas City For Three Games June 9-11

[saddles]

The Rangers will try to keep their momentum going against the Royals. Tha Rangers will send kut Eovaldi, Gore and Rocker to the mound.

The Royals would seem to be an easy opponent for the surging Rangers, but the three righties the Royals are sending to the mound all match up favorably with the Rangers starting pitcher that they are matched up against. On average the Rangers starting pitchers' ERA is almost a half of a run worse.

The Rangers enter the series as the third wildcard in the standings. A series against the lowly Royals should help them to maintain that spot going into the weekend. None of the teams chasing the Rangers are hot, so the Rangers may keep their spot in the standings for awhile.

 

[saddles]

https://www.mlb.com/rangers/news/ezequiel-duran-a-superutility-star-for-the-rangers

 

[scotsman#1948]

The Rangers will try to keep their momentum going against the Royals. Tha Rangers will send kut Eovaldi, Gore and Rocker to the mound.

The Royals would seem to be an easy opponent for the surging Rangers, but the three righties the Royals are sending to the mound all match up favorably with the Rangers starting pitcher that they are matched up against. On average the Rangers starting pitchers' ERA is almost a half of a run worse.

The Rangers enter the series as the third wildcard in the standings. A series against the lowly Royals should help them to maintain that spot going into the weekend. None of the teams chasing the Rangers are hot, so the Rangers may keep their spot in the standings for awhile.

i'd like to believe that they will but previous season history says that they will probably totally suck offensively for 2 of the 3

 

[saddles]

Drat expert Joe Doyle agrees with me. He has moved Vahn Lackey to the top of his draft board. I just don't see how a team could go wrong taking him with the first overall pick. A catcher like him hardly ever becomes available. He has very good skills behind the plate. He hits for average. He hits for power. And, he can steal some bases. He is a unicorn. He should be picked #1.

 

[saddles]

Joe Doyle has catcher Will Brick on his draft board at #100 for the 2026 MLB draft. I would love to see the Rangers select him in the second round, and I would understand if the Rangers appeared to reach for him in the first round.

Here is Doyle's report on Will Brick:

"A late re-class into the 2026 Draft, Brick was originally supposed to be draft-eligible in 2027. Brick is one of the most decorated bat-to-ball artists in the 2026 class with a hit tool some are already throw plus grades on at this stage. He's also got strong catch-and-throw skills behind the plate."

"It's easy to dream on the offensive upside Brick could eventually bring to the dish. He has routinely run whiff rates in the single digits most years throughout his prep career. Better still, he's a polished hitter with a quiet approach, unwilling to expand the zone. Brick chooses to let the ball travel and tends to pepper the right-center field gap. Rarely will he elect to turn and burn as ambushing into his pull-side power hasn't been on the resume often. That said, the raw power exists in a very big way. Brick is capable of putting on a display in batting practice and has flashed plus bat speed. He's got extremely fast hands. There will likely be a point in his amateur career where he flips the switch and actively tries to become a run producer rather than a conga line contributor, and he's more than physically capable of making that switch. The building blocks of a decorated, distinguished hitter are quite present here."

"While Brick has played some third base in his high school days, most foresee a catching prospect at the end of the day. He's quick and explosive out of the crouch with a strong, accurate arm down to second base. Brick has impressive athleticism behind the plate and possesses the ability to back-pick runners at first base, and even second base if they get too aggressive out there. He's got the components to develop into a revered defender if he continues on this linear trajectory. Brick projects a fringe-average runner at the next level."

"The hit tool, the power projection, the catch-and-throw and athleticism; Brick has an exciting array of tools and all the traits necessary to be a starting-caliber catcher at the Major League level. He's arguably the top catching prospect to become available in the draft since Blake Mitchell in 2023. He will barely be 18 years old on draft day."

 

[Kelleyman]

Looking for roster moves. I suspect Cole Winn to be back. Josh Smith may need a couple more games

 

[saddles]

Looking for roster moves. I suspect Cole Winn to be back. Josh Smith may need a couple more games

Yeah, color me shocked that Smith will be ready any time soon. Everything I had read said it takes several weeks to get your strength back, but he has bounced back very, very quickly.

 

[saddles]

From the latest Fansided 2026 MLB mock draft:

16. Texas Rangers: Chris Haciopan, 2B, Texas A&M​

• Height: 6-1
• Weight: 210 pounds
• Age: 21

Haciopan won the ACC player of the year and then transferred to Texas A&M, which turned out to be a wise decision. Our previous mocks projected him higher than this, but as the Aggies run in the college baseball postseason stopped, so to did Haciopan's draft hype. Not to fear, this toolsy hitter comes with a high floor, and can hit for contact better than just about any college prospect in his class. He'd become a quick fan favorite when promoted to Arlington.

 

[saddles]

Curvelo down

Winn up

 

[black francis]

What's the opinion on Evan Carter?

Seems to be someone who is path to much given his lack of production.

He has to be on thin ice, right?

 

[DTLUNA]

What's the opinion on Evan Carter?

Seems to be someone who is path to much given his lack of production.

He has to be on thin ice, right?

I would think so. Defense is great but his bat has died.

 

[saddles]

 

[saddles]

What's the opinion on Evan Carter?

Seems to be someone who is path to much given his lack of production.

He has to be on thin ice, right?

He might be in danger of being sent to the minors to get right. He is in a bad way right now, for sure. It would be very important to find a cure for what ails him.

 

[Kelleyman]

What's the opinion on Evan Carter?

Seems to be someone who is path to much given his lack of production.

He has to be on thin ice, right?

From a money standpoint Burger may be in more danger next season if he does not produce

Carter needs fixing specially his issue with offspeed and breaking stuff. Seems intimidated by LHP too
However Rangers may be content to let him bat 8 or 9 and work it out at the mlb level
Rangers do have OF option with Wyatt but want to make sure Wyatt is healthy first before any move is made

 

[Senator_fan]

I would like to see Zeke get an inning or two behind the plate in a blowout game or in an emergency.

Skip has confirmed that Duran has taken practice reps behind the plate, including catching a bullpen session as an emergency option.

Schumaker has described him as the de facto emergency catcher if needed (e.g., for late-game pinch-running scenarios requiring a replacement).

 

[WastinSomeTime]

He might be in danger of being sent to the minors to get right. He is in a bad way right now, for sure. It would be very important to find a cure for what ails him.

I feel the same about Smith.

 

[fanman8825]

I would think so. Defense is great but his bat has died.

Good synposis my friend

 

[fanman8825]

I would like to see Zeke get an inning or two behind the plate in a blowout game or in an emergency.

Skip has confirmed that Duran has taken practice reps behind the plate, including catching a bullpen session as an emergency option.

Schumaker has described him as the de facto emergency catcher if needed (e.g., for late-game pinch-running scenarios requiring a replacement).

He has pitched too. Gotta love Zeke just does everything thats asked of him

 

[Kelleyman]

Writing on wall on pregame. Smith is coming back as a UIF

 

[Kelleyman]

Bobby Witt in lineup. Heard he was hurt