Texas Rangers: Spring Training Information

By Mark Robinson
Location: Surprise Stadium - Surprise, Arizona
Pitchers and Catchers Report: Feb. 14th
First Game: Feb. 25th
Schedule

Projected Opening Day Line-up:

1. Ian Kinsler - 2B
2. Michael Young - 3B
3. Josh Hamilton - CF
4. Nelson Cruz - RF
5. Chris Davis - 1B
6. Hank Blalock - DH
7. Jarrod Saltalmacchia - C
8. David Murphy - LF
9. Omar Vizquel - SS

Projected Bench

Taylor Teagarden - R - C
German Duran - R - IF
Frank Catalanotto - L - OF/1B/DH
Marlon Byrd - R - OF

Projected Rotation
 
Kevin Millwood - R
Vicente Padilla - R
Matt Harrison - L
Brandon McCarthy - R
Scott Feldman - R

Project Bullpen

Long Relief: Dustin Nippert, Kason Gabbard
Middle Relief: C.J. Wilson, Warner Madrigal
Set-Up: Eddie Guardado, Josh Rupe
Closer: Frank Francisco
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Key Battles: First off, the Rangers have the best farm system in the league, which means there are a number of guys that could legitimately vie for a roster spot including Julio Borbon in centerfield, Elvis Andrus at shortstop, Derek Holland in the rotation and Joaquin Arias on the bench. Some are more likely than others, but nonetheless ... it's something to watch.

The Rangers must find a fifth starter. Scott Feldman is probably the leader in the clubhouse, but Dustin Nippert, Kason Gabbard or a prospect (Holland, Tommy Hunter, Neftali Feliz) could make a case. The odd-men out will go to the bullpen or stay in the minors.

Shortstop is also a point of contention. The recent hubbub of Michael Young moving from short to third base to make room for prospect Elvis Andrus overshadows the signing of veteran Omar Vizquel and Joaquin Arias, the lone remnant of the Alex Rodriguez trade. Andrus will be there sooner than later, but Rangers have insurance in Vizquel.

Taylor Teagarden and Jarrod Saltalamacchia will battle for the starting catcher's spot. Teagarden has the more refined defensive tools and showed he can hit a little in the waning days of the 2008 campaign. Salty has a higher ceiling and is still very young. The Rangers may opt for Teagarden's defensive presence unless Salty just bashes Spring Training pitching.

Most recently, the Rangers signed Andruw Jones to a minor-league deal worth about $500K. He'll battle for an outfield spot in the crowded company of Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, David Murphy, Marlon Byrd, Frank Catalanotto and, maybe, Julio Borbon. If Jones proves he can rebound from last year's debacle in Los Angeles (and at 31, he has plenty of incentive to do so), he could move into centerfield allowing the Rangers to move Hamilton to either left or right.

What To Expect: The Rangers -- for several years now -- have gotten off to awful starts only to play better in June and July. This must change. They must, at the very least, come of the gates playing .500 ball or wind up 10 games back of the Angels. Fundamentals are key. The lack thereof killed the Rangers last year with sloppy fielding, baserunning and simple tasks like hitting a cut-off man. Manager Ron Washington staked his claim in fundamentals and it must pay off or he's gone.

Also, team president Nolan Ryan stressed the health and stamina of his pitchers. Guys simply weren't going long enough and he was probably tired of five innings and a cloud of dust. Notably, he put the current starters and some high-level prospects through some off-season workouts to improve their ability to go late in games. Have to see if this pays off.

Finally, the Rangers, as noted, have a lot of prospects that they are dying to insert into the Major League line-up. Should they think the time is right, they could make big changes (either pre- or mid-season) to make sure the old guard is gone and the new guard is getting significant playing time. With the influx of youngsters, the team could be looking at a number of trades including maybe swapping some outfielders (Byrd and/or Murphy), a catcher (Salty, Teagarden or Max Ramirez) and maybe some arms (good years from Millwood and Padilla should draw interest should the Rangers not contend around the trade deadline or before).
 

Mark covers the Texas Rangers and other Texas sports on his blog, Uwe Blog