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

[Duane1952]

Nice debut by Robert.

 

[DT LUNA]

Okay he is 20 for 57 with 2 HR and 2 doubles. I will go check when he has had a similar streak or better for 57 at bats or longer. Off hand, I will say he does that at least once a year, but I will check.

We both know he has had streaks in the past. I was only asking that he might have found the crystal ball that possibly may allow him to finally become a positive asset to the club like Smith has. Probably not but not impossible.

 

[saddles]

Okay he is 20 for 57 with 2 HR and 2 doubles. I will go check when he has had a similar streak or better for 57 at bats or longer. Off hand, I will say he does that at least once a year, but I will check.

Earlier this year 19-55 (.345), 3 doubles and 3 HR.

Last year from last half of April through May, he hit .339 with 9 doubles, 2 triples and 2 HR.

Later last year, in 89 at bats he hit..326 with 4 doubles and 7 HR.

Late last year in 72 at bats he hit .324 with 5 doubles and 2 HR.

In the middle of 2022 he hit .385 in 78 at bats with 10 doubles and 3 HR.

His only problem is that Leody Taveras has so many long terrible stretches.

 

[saddles]

We both know he has had streaks in the past. I was only asking that he might have found the crystal ball that possibly may allow him to finally become a positive asset to the club like Smith has. Probably not but not impossible.

I was just pointing out that this is part for the course with Leody, just as his long struggling stretches are par for the course

The difference is that it took Josh just a few hindred at bats to start doing just what he showed he could do in the minors. Leody in the other hand has over 1400 big league at bats, a whioe lot more than Smith.

 

[saddles]

6 games behind Seattle

6.5 behind the Red Sox

 

[DT LUNA]

See you guys in Houston town. Big series coming up.

 

[saddles]

See you guys in Houston town. Big series coming up.

That series may tell a lot.

 

[Kelleyman]

Poetic justice for Crouse who to me looks like a junk pitcher who reinvented himself
I hope you are happy Bennie.
SMH

 

[saddles]

Since the July 1 game where Lowe hit 2 HR, he has hit .276, which isn't bad, but without any extra base hits.

 

[Kelleyman]

Since the July 1 game where Lowe hit 2 HR, he has hit .276, which isn't bad, but without any extra base hits.

They should move him behind Wyatt for now.
Less strikeouts and better chance of stolen base

 

[saddles]

This from Bob Nightengale shows us the importance of drafting right:

Do you realize that five of today’s starting pitchers were all taken in the first round of the 2017 draft?

Cincinnati Reds: Hunter Greene, 2nd pick.

Washington Nationals: MacKenzie Gore, 3rd pick, (Padres).

Tampa Bay Rays: Shane Baz, 12th pick (Pirates).

New York Mets: David Peterson, 20th pick.

Boston Red Sox: Tanner Houck, 24th pick.

 

[saddles]

Another infielder is picked over Josh Smith. So ridiculous.

 

[saddles]

From Jared Sandler:

All love to Willi Castro and he's having a nice year but he does not deserve to be an All-Star over Josh Smith. I understood Westburg, but not this!

1) Numbers are clear
2) Not like Castro is a marquee name
3) If it's about 2B, Josh can play 2B! So can Westburg.

What gives?

 

[saddles]

 

[saddles]

View attachment 367042

I had never even heard of Kleimer Lemos before. The kid is barely 19.

 

[Duane1952]

Another infielder is picked over Josh Smith. So ridiculous.

I heard today MLB will only replace a player that plays that same position as the player that drops out.

 

[saddles]

I heard today MLB will only replace a player that plays that same position as the player that drops out.

They may have decided to do that, but I guarantee they wouldn't hold themselves to that if they felt certain players should play. If it was being held in NY and Smith was a Yankee he would be playing. In fact, if he was a Yankee, it probably wouldn't matter where it was being played.

 

[saddles]

Possible Rangers Pick Preview

C/3B Walker Janek, Sam Houston State​

Janek is listed at 6ft., 190 pounds. Throughout his college career he has been regarded as one of the premier defensive catchers in college baseball. This spring he won the Buster Posey Award as college baseball’s top catcher. He is agile behind the plate, does a good job of framing, and he holds the opponent’s running game in check with his plus arm strength and quick release.

Janek is also a very capable third baseman. He moves well laterally. He has a strong arm and a very quick transfer. Having a catcher who can also play another position well, especially third base, is a plus.

Janek was not considered much of an offensive threat coming out of high school, but he has greatly improved the offensive side of his game while at Sam Houston State. During his freshman season, Janek worked his way into a starting role and played very well for the Bearkats. Janek slashed .308/.432/.456 with 56 hits, 4 doubles, 7 home runs, 33 RBIs, and an .888 OPS. He improved those numbers each of the next two years. This season he slashed .364/.476/.709 with 80 hits, 15 doubles, 5 triples, 17 home runs, 58 RBIs, 13 stolen bases, 40 walks, and an 1.185 OPS. He has below average speed but runs well for a catcher and is a smart baserunner. He has all-around good hit tools and good bat speed.

Last year when I thought the Rangers would select Walker Jenkins, I imagined eventually some might call him “Walker, Texas Ranger.” Now we have another chance for a “Walker, Texas Ranger” in Walker Janek.

 

[saddles]

From Flo Baseball:.

The Best RHP In The 2024 MLB Draft​

There are more right-handed pitching prospects in the top-100 than any other position at 28 prospects not counting two-way players. Here are the top 20.

1. Chase Burns (#4)
2. Trey Yesavage (#8)
3. William Schmidt (#21)
4. Ryan Sloan (#26)
5. Brody Brecht (#28)
6. Ben Hess (#38)
7. Bryce Cunningham (#39)
8. Luke Holman (#40)
9. Drew Beam (#41)
10. Ryan Johnson (#46)
11. Braylon Doughty (#47)
12. Joey Oakie (#49)
13. Levi Sterling (#55)
14. Tegan Kuhns (#57)
15. Dax Whitney (#58)
16. Bryce Meccage (#71)
17. Chris Levonas (#77)
18. Carson Wiggins (#78)
19. Chase Mobley (#84)
20. Owen Hall (#85)

 

[saddles]

From Flo Baseball:

The Best LHP In The 2024 MLB Draft​

Here are the 15 best left-handed pitchers in the draft.

1. Hagen Smith (#6)
2. Cam Caminiti (#22)
3. Kash Mayfield (#33)
4. Jonathan Santucci (#32)
5. Dasan Hill (#48)
6. David Shields (#60)
7. Gage Jump (#54)
8. Ryan Prager (#66)
9. Carter Holton (#67)
10. Boston Bateman (#74)
11. Josh Hartle (#75)
12. Tristan Smith (#81)
13. Payton Tolle (#82)
14. Ethan Schiefelbein (#90)
15. Mason Russell (#92)