The 2023 Texas Rangers Spring Training Thread

[saddles]

Here is what Keith Law had to say about Ragans:

Ragans is a two-time Tommy John recipient, and when he finally debuted in the majors last year, it seemed more like a feel-good story than anything else, as he averaged just 92.1 mph on his four-seamer and got hit very hard. This spring, he’s touched 98 several times and 97 in every outing, and combined with the pitch’s high spin rate and huge arm-side run, it should go from being a major weakness (the pitch was worth -13 runs last year, per Statcast) to an asset. He’s got a big-breaking curveball and a changeup with plus fade, with the curveball playing up because its spin-based direction is dead opposite to that of the fastball and change. I do worry that his two main pitches both move away from right-handers, while he needs his curve and cutter (which could also be better with the better arm strength) to work more east-west and keep right-handed hitters from creeping up on the plate … but that we’re even at a point where that’s the main concern is a sign that his prospects are much brighter this year.

 

[Kelleyman]

I am on the lookout for cuts to the roster today

 

[saddles]

From Evan Grant about Josh Smith in CF:

They merely wanted to know if he was comfortable going out to play center field for the first time since a mid-summer trial at Triple-A Round Rock. By Monday, he was starting there in the big league exhibition against Cleveland. Come next week, he might just be out there on opening day against Philadelphia, facing fellow Baton Rouge Catholic alum Aaron Nola.

He played center in a minor league game Sunday a couple hours after the Rangers asked him. He was a bit surprised -- he hadn’t even worked out in center this spring in an organized drill. Then he went out and made a sliding catch.

“Wherever they need me, I’ll try to be ready for it,” Smith said Monday. “I feel pretty comfortable. I’m prepared for it. I’m going to be that guy who can play anywhere and take that as something of a challenge. As a natural shortstop, you are just trying to be an athlete and kind of let your actions take over and not think about it too much.”

The Rangers, however, will think about it this week. A lot.

 

[Kelleyman]

From Evan Grant about Josh Smith in CF:

They merely wanted to know if he was comfortable going out to play center field for the first time since a mid-summer trial at Triple-A Round Rock. By Monday, he was starting there in the big league exhibition against Cleveland. Come next week, he might just be out there on opening day against Philadelphia, facing fellow Baton Rouge Catholic alum Aaron Nola.

He played center in a minor league game Sunday a couple hours after the Rangers asked him. He was a bit surprised -- he hadn’t even worked out in center this spring in an organized drill. Then he went out and made a sliding catch.

“Wherever they need me, I’ll try to be ready for it,” Smith said Monday. “I feel pretty comfortable. I’m prepared for it. I’m going to be that guy who can play anywhere and take that as something of a challenge. As a natural shortstop, you are just trying to be an athlete and kind of let your actions take over and not think about it too much.”

The Rangers, however, will think about it this week. A lot.

I worry about his arm and range but his bat will be better than our other options

He may be the type of guy that gets real good jumps. He looks a nature at LF for me but he would be better than Grossman. Maybe Adolis in CF

 

[saddles]

I worry about his arm and range but his bat will be better than our other options

He may be the type of guy that gets real good jumps. He looks a nature at LF for me but he would be better than Grossman. Maybe Adolis in CF

Whoever is there is most likely only there for this year. If Smith does start the season there, he most likely only stays if he hits well. Him being there would provide plenty of opportunities for his backup as Smith will still need to backup some other guys for part of each week.

Hopefully, somebody hits and does well in CF.

 

[Kelleyman]

 

[saddles]

Baseball Prospect Journal recently came out with their first mock draft. They have the Rangers taking Florida CF Wyatt Langford with the 4th pick. So far this year, Wyatt's splits are amazing.

.431/.557/.931/1.488

 

[saddles]

Unfortunately Wyatt Langford suffered an injury a few days ago that will cause him to miss over a month. He was hit in the groin and suffered a ruptured testicle which required surgery. I am in pain just typing this. Ouch!!!

 

[True Rangers Fan]

Unfortunately Wyatt Langford suffered an injury a few days ago that will cause him to miss over a month. He was hit in the groin and suffered a ruptured testicle which required surgery. I am in pain just typing this. Ouch!!!

whoa, that is nuts!

 

[saddles]

From Jonathan Mayo regarding the top college prospects for this user's draft.

"We’re about a month into the college baseball season, so I thought it might be a good time to check in on some of the top Draft prospects and highlight guys who have been getting it done in the early going. The one main injury update is that Wyatt Langford, the talented Florida outfielder who is ranked No. 3 on our Draft Top 100 from last December, is out for several weeks after needing surgery following being hit below the belt during an at-bat. Here’s how the college players in the top 10 on that list have fared thus far, through Sunday’s games, listed by ranking on our Draft Top 100."



1. Dylan Crews, OF, LSU: 20 G, .508/.648/.892, 10 2B, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 23 BB, 10 K
2. Chase Dollander, RHP, Tennessee: 27 2/3 IP, 3.90 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 2.0 BB/9, 14.6 K/9, .248 BAA
3. Wyatt Langford, OF, Florida: 16 G, .431/.557/.931, 7 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR, 18 RBI, 14 BB, 8 K
4. Paul Skenes, RHP, LSU: 30 1/3 IP, 0.59 ERA, 0.53 WHIP, 1.2 BB/9, 17.5 K/9, .115 BAA
5. Jacob Gonzalez, SS, Mississippi: 20 G, .333/.485/.520, 5 2B, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 17 BB, 13 K
8. Enrique Bradfield Jr., OF, Vanderbilt: 21 G, .247/.379/.333, 4 2B, 1 HR, 14 RBI, 17 BB, 13 K, 15 SB
9. Jacob Wilson, SS, Grand Canyon: 19 G, .446/.458/.730, 7 2B, 4 3B, 2 HR, 29 RBI, 5 BB, 4 K
10. Hurston Waldrep, RHP, Florida: 27 IP, 4.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 4.3 BB/9, 15.7 K/9, .225 BAA

 

[Kelleyman]

I am on the lookout for cuts to the roster today

Well no game today so likely no news

 

[saddles]

 

[saddles]

 

[saddles]

 

[WastinSomeTime]

From Jonathan Mayo regarding the top college prospects for this user's draft.

"We’re about a month into the college baseball season, so I thought it might be a good time to check in on some of the top Draft prospects and highlight guys who have been getting it done in the early going. The one main injury update is that Wyatt Langford, the talented Florida outfielder who is ranked No. 3 on our Draft Top 100 from last December, is out for several weeks after needing surgery following being hit below the belt during an at-bat. Here’s how the college players in the top 10 on that list have fared thus far, through Sunday’s games, listed by ranking on our Draft Top 100."



1. Dylan Crews, OF, LSU: 20 G, .508/.648/.892, 10 2B, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 23 BB, 10 K
2. Chase Dollander, RHP, Tennessee: 27 2/3 IP, 3.90 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 2.0 BB/9, 14.6 K/9, .248 BAA
3. Wyatt Langford, OF, Florida: 16 G, .431/.557/.931, 7 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR, 18 RBI, 14 BB, 8 K
4. Paul Skenes, RHP, LSU: 30 1/3 IP, 0.59 ERA, 0.53 WHIP, 1.2 BB/9, 17.5 K/9, .115 BAA
5. Jacob Gonzalez, SS, Mississippi: 20 G, .333/.485/.520, 5 2B, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 17 BB, 13 K
8. Enrique Bradfield Jr., OF, Vanderbilt: 21 G, .247/.379/.333, 4 2B, 1 HR, 14 RBI, 17 BB, 13 K, 15 SB
9. Jacob Wilson, SS, Grand Canyon: 19 G, .446/.458/.730, 7 2B, 4 3B, 2 HR, 29 RBI, 5 BB, 4 K
10. Hurston Waldrep, RHP, Florida: 27 IP, 4.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 4.3 BB/9, 15.7 K/9, .225 BAA

Don't know much about them but looking at the results I am interested in Langford and Skenes.

 

[Kelleyman]

I think this is a recognition that our pen need help. Also some of the guys like Kennedy and Duffy won’t make the squad if this happens

 

[saddles]

I think this is a recognition that our pen need help. Also some of the guys like Kennedy and Duffy won’t make the squad if this happens

It is sounding like they do not consider Burke a long man any longer. That created a void. Odorizzi's injury created another one. They should have signed a long man and a closer, if that is the case. Unless we are not in contention for a wildcard, I imagine we will have to vastly overpay for a closer in July.

It is just short-sighted to put your minor league starting pitching depth in the bullpen. Now if both, the starters get stretched out enough, and Odorizzi comes back, by April 20th or so and we can send Ragans and Dunning back to the minors by then, then maybe it all works out okay.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

whoa, that is nuts!

this was funnier than y'all gave it credit for

 

[saddles]

Don't know much about them but looking at the results I am interested in Langford and Skenes.

Yeah, they both have gotten off to great starts. Dollander is thought to be the best starter in the draft, but Skenes looks best so far.

There are two high school position players who some have ranked in the top 3 to 6 that aren't included there. That is Max Clark and Walker Jenkins. I tried finding out how they were doing, but couldn't find much, other than Jenkins' team is 6-0 so far.

 

[saddles]

this was funnier than y'all gave it credit for

I am still hurting too much from reading about it to laugh.