Rangers welcome COL to the Grill for a rare M-W set to close out August: 8/30-9/1

[BULLPEN FAILURE]

The Rangers run AJ Alexy out tonight for his MLB debut at 7PM. He was acquired in the Darvish trade, and this will be the third MLB debut of a SP in the past week for the beloved Rangers. Also slotted for SP duty this week are Lyles tomorrow night, and Arihara Wednesday afternoon at 1PM. So kudos to the Rangers for making the effort to get swept.

On the hitting side, Adolis Garcia is heating up again, which hopefully means he's gained the ability to adjust to MLB pitching in his rookie season.


Gallo with NYY: 28 G, .153 BA (15/98), 6 2B, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 23 BB, 48 K, .314/.367/.681 OBP/SLG/OPS

Peters with TEX: 24 G, .187 BA (17/91), 3 2B, 6 HR, 17 RBI, 2 BB, 34 K, .214/.418/.632 OBP/SLG/OPS

Mental hurdle finds Allard in learning curve

 

[DT LUNA]

The Rangers run AJ Alexy out tonight for his MLB debut at 7PM. He was acquired in the Darvish trade, and this will be the third MLB debut of a SP in the past week for the beloved Rangers. Also slotted for SP duty this week are Lyles tomorrow night, and Arihara Wednesday afternoon at 1PM. So kudos to the Rangers for making the effort to get swept.

On the hitting side, Adolis Garcia is heating up again, which hopefully means he's gained the ability to adjust to MLB pitching in his rookie season.


Gallo with NYY: 28 G, .153 BA (15/98), 6 2B, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 23 BB, 48 K, .314/.367/.681 OBP/SLG/OPS

Peters with TEX: 24 G, .187 BA (17/91), 3 2B, 6 HR, 17 RBI, 2 BB, 34 K, .214/.418/.632 OBP/SLG/OPS

Mental hurdle finds Allard in learning curve

A little early but Peters trade may have been a good move.

 

[BULLPEN FAILURE]

A little early but Peters trade may have been a good move.

I find it pretty hard to believe Gallo isn't lighting it up in NY. His slash line was .379/.490/.869 here. His OPS is almost 200 points lower.

 

[Kelleyman]

I find it pretty hard to believe Gallo isn't lighting it up in NY. His slash line was .379/.490/.869 here. His OPS is almost 200 points lower.

Good article in Athletic re Gallo today
He should be doing more good pitcher with better hitters around him

 

[DT LUNA]

I find it pretty hard to believe Gallo isn't lighting it up in NY. His slash line was .379/.490/.869 here. His OPS is almost 200 points lower.

Sometime I think we fans want more from him than he can provide creating undue pressure on him. Possibly he will never be more than what we have seen.

 

[BULLPEN FAILURE]

Sometime I think we fans want more from him than he can provide creating undue pressure on him. Possibly he will never be more than what we have seen.

this is what confuses me. He's not the foundation of that lineup. I guess it's the bright lights of NYC.

 

[Kelleyman]

Re Gallo. If he can get his OPS up regardless of batting average, I bet NYY will be pleased

 

[saddles]

this is what confuses me. He's not the foundation of that lineup. I guess it's the bright lights of NYC.

I think it is a pretty good sign that he really didn't want to leave. Of that is the case it could take its toll on him mentally and emotionally. I think sometimes it is easy to forget that these guys are human. I know I have had problems with that at times. I think trades can have a significant impact on a guy's production in either direction.

 

[saddles]

From Scott Lucas with his correction in the first paragraph.

Sorry, I made a mistake worth a follow-up email. Alexy is of course right-handed. Seen him with my own eyes. The lesson is even if you're a night owl, re-read what you wrote late at night.

AJ Alexy is making his MLB debut tonight, perhaps a little earlier than planned, but he's earned his shot. I'm not here to tell you he's the savior of the rotation, but after watching him twice in person, I'm more optimistic than ever about his chances of sticking as a starter. He's successfully incorporated a slider while retaining his curve, and the changeup is a real pitch, not a tag-along. He's shifted the use of his curve from late/ahead counts to early strike-catchers, although he can also generate misses with it. All these back up what has always been a solid fastball.

Alexy has an unusual platoon split. Although a lefty himself, he has persistently walked or hit lefties nearly twice as often as righties. His walk rate in 2021 isn't good or even average, but it's improved to the point that it isn't a constant concern. When he's not issuing free passes, he's slightly better at retiring lefties and holding their power in check. Alexy has always been very hard to hit: opponents in full-season ball are batting .201 and slugging .304, and those numbers have not increased in 2021 against tougher competition. Alexy has a favorable opening draw with Colorado, baseball's worst-hitting road team.

Here's my supercut of most of his swinging strikes from a recent outing. Alexy is already on the 40-man roster.

 

[BULLPEN FAILURE]

I think it is a pretty good sign that he really didn't want to leave. Of that is the case it could take its toll on him mentally and emotionally. I think sometimes it is easy to forget that these guys are human. I know I have had problems with that at times. I think trades can have a significant impact on a guy's production in either direction.

I don't doubt Joey wanted to stay here. But the Rangers made him an offer closer to his value than he preferred. Not saying they didn't lowball him, because they did, but what they offered is more in line with what he brings to the table than what he (or his agent) thinks he can get on the open market. I obviously don't know how it played out behind closed doors, but I think Joey should have accepted the offer if comfort is that much of a factor.

 

[saddles]

I don't doubt Joey wanted to stay here. But the Rangers made him an offer closer to his value than he preferred. Not saying they didn't lowball him, because they did, but what they offered is more in line with what he brings to the table than what he (or his agent) thinks he can get on the open market. I obviously don't know how it played out behind closed doors, but I think Joey should have accepted the offer if comfort is that much of a factor.

Sometimes you don't realize how valuable what you have is, until it is gone.

 

[Kelleyman]

Sometimes you don't realize how valuable what you have is, until it is gone.

Deep thought there bro

 

[BULLPEN FAILURE]

Sometimes you don't realize how valuable what you have is, until it is gone.

Could be true for either side of that particular equation

 

[saddles]

 

[saddles]

amey Newberg has finished his mid-season top prospects list. Here is what he has decided.

The Top 72 Texas Rangers prospects, midseason 2021:

1. Jack Leiter, RHP
2. Josh Jung, 3B
3. Cole Winn, RHP
4. Justin Foscue, 2B
5. Josh Smith, SS
6. Ezequiel Duran, 2B-SS
7. Sam Huff, C-1B
8. Evan Carter, OF
9. Ricky Vanasco, RHP
10. Luisangel Acuña, SS-2B

11. A.J. Alexy, RHP
12. Dustin Harris, 1B-3B
13. Tekoah Roby, RHP
14. Davis Wendzel, SS-3B
15. Yerry Rodríguez, RHP
16. Bubba Thompson, OF
17. Dane Acker, RHP
18. Cole Ragans, LHP
19. Steele Walker, OF
20. Aaron Zavala, OF

21. Avery Weems, LHP
22. Ronny Henríquez, RHP
23. Maximo Acosta, SS
24. Trevor Hauver, OF-2B
25. Glenn Otto, RHP
26. Nick Snyder, RHP
27. Thomas Saggese, IF
28. Chris Seise, SS
29. Cody Bradford, LHP
30. Sherten Apostel, 3B-1B

31. Justin Slaten, RHP
32. Mason Englert, RHP
33. Yeison Morrobel, OF
34. Curtis Terry, 1B
35. Jake Latz, LHP
36. Owen White, RHP
37. David Garcia, C
38. Marc Church, RHP
39. Jonathan Ornelas, SS-OF
40. Cam Cauley, SS-2B

41. Bayron Lora, OF
42. Ian Moller, C
43. Yonny Hernández, IF
44. Zak Kent, RHP
45. Grant Wolfram, LHP
46. Blaine Crim, 1B
47. Tim Brennan, RHP
48. DJ Peters, OF
49. Yohel Pozo, C
50. Marcus Smith, OF

51. Kellen Strahm, OF
52. Jose Corniell, RHP
53. Josh Gessner, RHP
54. Keyber Rodriguez, IF
55. Kevin Gowdy

 

[DT LUNA]

I don't doubt Joey wanted to stay here. But the Rangers made him an offer closer to his value than he preferred. Not saying they didn't lowball him, because they did, but what they offered is more in line with what he brings to the table than what he (or his agent) thinks he can get on the open market. I obviously don't know how it played out behind closed doors, but I think Joey should have accepted the offer if comfort is that much of a factor.

Who knows what the FO was thinking. Perhaps they did not want him as much as Gallo wanted to stay. They (FO) could have offered more and elected not to. That says something.

 

[saddles]

 

[DT LUNA]

I like the idea. Need to see what Pozo has to offer.

 

[BULLPEN FAILURE]

Who knows what the FO was thinking. Perhaps they did not want him as much as Gallo wanted to stay. They (FO) could have offered more and elected not to. That says something.

They still refuse to bring me into meetings, so I can't say. But I can say that if the idea was that they didn't want to build around Gallo unless it involved a hometown discount, I'm OK with that.

 

[BULLPEN FAILURE]

two birds one stone here. Alexy gets a guy he's familiar with, and Trevino gets a day off.