The Officially Official Off Season Thread (2016)

[romeo212000]

I wonder where we are going to be playing Joey Gallo when he is ready to come up. Seems like his arm would be wasted at 1B. If it is RF where his arm could be utilized then Choo would have to go. If he stays at 3B then Beltre would have to change positions, but something tells me Joey doesn't end up at 3B.

Got a hunch his bat is far more of a concern to the organization than his arm.

 

[DT LUNA]

I wonder where we are going to be playing Joey Gallo when he is ready to come up. Seems like his arm would be wasted at 1B. If it is RF where his arm could be utilized then Choo would have to go. If he stays at 3B then Beltre would have to change positions, but something tells me Joey doesn't end up at 3B.

Choo will be around for a while imo. Gallo is an option I like and can be of use in more ways than 1b. ( DH lf 3rd )

 

[darrylgann]

I wonder where we are going to be playing Joey Gallo when he is ready to come up. Seems like his arm would be wasted at 1B. If it is RF where his arm could be utilized then Choo would have to go. If he stays at 3B then Beltre would have to change positions, but something tells me Joey doesn't end up at 3B.

Don't see Josh staying much after this year. That would be the OF leaving for Gallo probably.

 

[saddles]

Speaking of throwing I wonder when we will get our first update on Profar. I think he was supposed to start throwing again this month. I am anxious to see if he can get past the dreaded 120 ft. long toss mark that has stopped him a couple of times before.

 

[saddles]

Don't see Josh staying much after this year. That would be the OF leaving for Gallo probably.

I am pretty sure Mazara is going to be in the OF by ST of next year and probably Brinson in CF so that only leaves one spot for Gallo or Choo.

 

[DT LUNA]

Don't see Josh staying much after this year. That would be the OF leaving for Gallo probably.

When Joey learns to hit ml pitching he will be invaluable

 

[DT LUNA]

When Joey learns to hit ml pitching he will be invaluable

I like Gallo at first then b/c I don't see Choo going anytime soon.

 

[darrylgann]

I am pretty sure Mazara is going to be in the OF by ST of next year and probably Brinson in CF so that only leaves one spot for Gallo or Choo.

We will see about both of those, but I don't see us getting rid of both Fielder and Choo in one off season.

 

[DT LUNA]

We will see about both of those, but I don't see us getting rid of both Fielder and Choo in one off season.

Not likely

 

[saddles]

We will see about both of those, but I don't see us getting rid of both Fielder and Choo in one off season.

One of them could DH unless Beltre has to move there.

 

[saddles]

Rangers Top Prospects, No. 5: Ariel Jurado, a young pitcher with a rare trait | SportsDay

Notable: Jurado, of Panama, throws strikes with a two- and four-seam fastball and change-up. For his first two seasons in the United States, he has allowed only 20 walks in 137 2/3 innings, a rate of 1.31 per nine innings.

Jurado jumped to the full-season low-A South Atlantic League last season and was not fazed. He went 12-1 with a 2.45 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. Jurado survived the home park by keeping the ball down. He had 4.65 ground-ball outs for each out on a ball hit in the air.

To keep Jurado at about 100 innings, the Rangers moved him from the rotation to the bullpen in mid-summer. His future is in the rotation.

Jurado can hit 95 mph with the four-seamer, and his two-seamer is considered "heavy.'' He allowed only five homers in 99 innings. He is comfortable pitching inside with the fastball, a rare trait for a young pitcher.

2016 plan: The organization faces a tough decision. Would Jurado be better served by more innings in the Sally League rather than exposure to the High-A California League at High Desert, which plays in the most pronounced hitters' park in the minors?

 

[saddles]

Rangers Top Prospects, No. 4: The slow, steady rise of 2014 draft choice Luis Ortiz | SportsDay

Ortiz ranked among the top pitchers in the Low-A South Atlantic League through mid-June last season, with a 1.72 ERA and nine walks and 44 strikeouts in 47 innings. The Rangers held him out for the next two months because of shoulder fatigue. Ortiz returned for three one-inning appearances in September and pitched in the playoffs.

Ortiz has the solid frame of a power pitcher. He gains velocity during starts, starting off around 92 mph and reaching 95 mph in the middle innings.

Ortiz throws strikes with the four-seam fastball and slider. He has career rates of 8.32 strikeouts and 1.92 walks per nine innings in the minors. Ortiz is working on a change-up as a needed third pitch.

2016 plan: Open at Low-A Hickory and advance at midseason.

 

[Kelleyman]

Rangers Top Prospects, No. 4: The slow, steady rise of 2014 draft choice Luis Ortiz | SportsDay

Ortiz ranked among the top pitchers in the Low-A South Atlantic League through mid-June last season, with a 1.72 ERA and nine walks and 44 strikeouts in 47 innings. The Rangers held him out for the next two months because of shoulder fatigue. Ortiz returned for three one-inning appearances in September and pitched in the playoffs.

Ortiz has the solid frame of a power pitcher. He gains velocity during starts, starting off around 92 mph and reaching 95 mph in the middle innings.

Ortiz throws strikes with the four-seam fastball and slider. He has career rates of 8.32 strikeouts and 1.92 walks per nine innings in the minors. Ortiz is working on a change-up as a needed third pitch.

2016 plan: Open at Low-A Hickory and advance at midseason.

Ortiz is the guy I like
BTW. I do not think Profars throws until ST

 

[romeo212000]

Ortiz is the guy I like
BTW. I do not think Profars throws until ST

I still got faith in profar.

 

[Kelleyman]

BTW I do agree re potential future logjam at 1B

 

[Kelleyman]

I still got faith in profar.

Oh I do like Profar too. He is fearless

 

[jta4437]

Rangers Top Prospects, No. 5: Ariel Jurado, a young pitcher with a rare trait | SportsDay

Notable: Jurado, of Panama, throws strikes with a two- and four-seam fastball and change-up. For his first two seasons in the United States, he has allowed only 20 walks in 137 2/3 innings, a rate of 1.31 per nine innings.

Jurado jumped to the full-season low-A South Atlantic League last season and was not fazed. He went 12-1 with a 2.45 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. Jurado survived the home park by keeping the ball down. He had 4.65 ground-ball outs for each out on a ball hit in the air.

To keep Jurado at about 100 innings, the Rangers moved him from the rotation to the bullpen in mid-summer. His future is in the rotation.

Jurado can hit 95 mph with the four-seamer, and his two-seamer is considered "heavy.'' He allowed only five homers in 99 innings. He is comfortable pitching inside with the fastball, a rare trait for a young pitcher.

2016 plan: The organization faces a tough decision. Would Jurado be better served by more innings in the Sally League rather than exposure to the High-A California League at High Desert, which plays in the most pronounced hitters' park in the minors?

I like Jurado (and Ortiz) but I think Jurado starts off in Low A ball and then skips High A ball and tries out AA in the 2nd half at some point (if successful), they've generally allowed their better pitching prospects to skip High Desert

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Not sure if any of you had ever heard of this Cuban player to be available. I had not until now.

What you need to know about new Cuban free agent Lazaro Armenteros

 

[darrylgann]

Not sure if any of you had ever heard of this Cuban player to be available. I had not until now.

What you need to know about new Cuban free agent Lazaro Armenteros

He's 16 is all I know. IF/OF, I think. And thanks, Wastin, about the kind words re my Mother. She is with the Lord, I know.

 

[saddles]

Not sure if any of you had ever heard of this Cuban player to be available. I had not until now.

What you need to know about new Cuban free agent Lazaro Armenteros

I had heard about him, but nothing very detailed. You have to like the following:

One American League scout told USA Today's Bob Nightengale that Lazarito shows signs of Bo Jackson and Willie Mays because of his combination of speed and power. Though, again, he's still raw. Another scout told Nightengale that the kid has "superstar potential." An AL scouting director told Sanchez that Lazarito is a "front-line guy."