Series Thread: Rangers Travel to Play the Angels July 8-10

[saddles]

From Jared Sandler:

JOSH SMITH SHOULD BE AN ALL-STAR


He was passed over for Jordan Westburg earlier today. Why?


BA
Smith: .296
Westburg: .281


OBP
Smith: .384
Westburg: .328


SLG
Smith: .457
Westburg: .512


OPS
Smith: .842
Westburg: .840


@MLB what gives?

 

[jaar01]

Man I hope that is a confidence builder for Garcia. He also squared up a couple other hard hit outs. Good night for him.

 

[saddles]

This is a guy I hope is available when the Rangers pick in the second round.

RHP

Drew Beam​

Tennessee

HOMETOWN: Murfreesboro, TN
HEIGHT: 6-4
WEIGHT: 207
BAT/THROW: R-R
DRAFT SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW: Watch video
Beam is as prototype as they come. He's a big, tall, strong righty with a physical delivery and huge stuff. Beam has been up into the upper-90s, living 92-95 with late hop. Beam has a promising curveball with two-plane tilt, though it's shape wavers later in outings, something that should come with age. He's also got a solid average changeup that gets its value primarily off conviction and arm speed, presently lacking dynamic shape. The pitch has come a long ways in the last twelve months. He's got a shot to develop into a horse at the top of a rotation with added consistency. It's one of the highest floors in the class and he could conceivably be in the big leagues in 2025.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Thank goodness for Robertson and Yates.

 

[Nightcrawler]

Latz is terrible.

 

[saddles]

Possible Rangers Pick Preview

1B/3B Tommy White, Louisiana State​

White is listed at 6-1, 228 pounds. He hits and throws right-handed. In 161 games over his three-year college career, White has proven himself as an all-time college performer. He is a three-time All-American. His 75 home runs in his three-year college career are good for 8th all-time in NCAA history. He is known as “Tommy Tanks” because of his tremendous power. That must be one of the best nicknames in this draft, and many see him as the most prolific hitter in all of college baseball.

He has been a dangerous hitter since day one. He homered in his first at bat for North Carolina where he started his college career before transferring to LSU. He went on to break the NCAA freshman record with 27 homers. He slashed .362/.425/.757 in 235 at-bats as a freshman. He is more than just a power hitter though. He is a pure hitter whose contact rates continue to improve. White consistently posts high exit velocities, but with relatively low strikeout totals.

His one drawback is his defense at 3B. Although, that has improved this year compared to last year. Some feel he is destined to have to move to first base eventually. He doesn’t have a lot of speed, that’s for sure. He has average arm strength and agility.

MLB.com’s Jim Callis recently said of White, “He’s one of my favorite non-top 11 guys in the Draft. Everybody thinks about the power, but I think he’s a really underrated hitter. He keeps making more contact each year. I’m a really big Tommy White fan.”

 

[saddles]

Shawn McFarland tells us the new Top 5 Rangers prospects according to Baseball America.

1. SS Sebastian Walcott
2. IF Justin Foscue
3. RHP Jack Leiter
4. RHP Alejandro Rosario
5. RHP Winston Santos

Leiter shouldn't be that high.

 

[saddles]

From mlbtraderumors.com:

The Rangers have signed right-hander Matt Festa to a minor league deal, according to his transactions tracker at MLB.com.

 

[saddles]

From Shawn McFarland:

Rangers probable starters against Houston this weekend:

Friday: Andrew Heaney
Saturday: Nathan Eovaldi
Sunday: TBA

Sunday, as things have gone, would be Jon Gray’s turn in the rotation.

 

[saddles]

The Dodgers have recalled Ricky Vanasco.

 

[saddles]

Adolis will be in the home run derby.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Adolis will be in the home run derby.

Not wise

 

[Senator_fan]

Scherzer says he will invoke his no trade clause.

Astros want Angels closer Estevez for a couple of prospects. Hader giving up too many homers.

 

[saddles]

 

[saddles]

Scherzer says he will invoke his no trade clause.

Astros want Angels closer Estevez for a couple of prospects. Hader giving up too many homers.

It is always wise to invite a no trade. That way you can control who you go to amd make some extra cash. Or, you can stay put if you want to.

 

[Duane1952]

Adolis will be in the home run derby.

How many times is he going to strikeout.

 

[DT LUNA]

Not a good AB Adolis or for Lowe

 

[DT LUNA]

May go to bed early.

 

[Duane1952]

Garcia doesn’t deserve to be anywhere near the All Star Game.

 

[DT LUNA]

Hoping for a sweep but not looking like I'll get my way.