Here’s the latest on the Rangers:
- Outfielder Willie Calhoun rededicated himself during the winter after a subpar 2018 campaign, but it’s up in the air whether his hard work will yield a season-opening roster spot. As Jeff Wilson of the Star Telegram points out, fellow outfielders Joey Gallo, Nomar Mazara, Delino DeShields and Shin-Soo Choo are locks to make the team, while minor league pickup Hunter Pence will likely earn the last spot on the strength of a quality spring. As such, the 24-year-old Calhoun could be ticketed for a demotion to Triple-A Nashville, where he’d receive everyday playing time. Calhoun admitted “it would be really frustrating” to miss out on a roster spot in Texas, adding: “I have so many games played at Triple A. I feel like I’d go there just to get at-bats, but at that point, there’s no getting better for me at Triple A.” The 24-year-old walked back those comments, acknowledging there’s more he could work on at the minors’ highest level, per Wilson. Calhoun batted a so-so .294/.351/.431 in 470 PAs there last year, and fared much worse during a 108-PA audition in the majors (.222/.269/.333). His bottom-line productive hasn’t been any better this spring, albeit over a mere 40 exhibition ABs, with a .200/.298/.250 line. Those numbers notwithstanding, Calhoun has gone “above and beyond,” according to manager Chris Woodward, who said “it would be crushing” to tell the player he’s going back to the minors.
- Woodward also discussed the Rangers’ pitching plans with reporters, including TR Sullivan of MLB.com and Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. Of note, using an opener won’t be in the cards for Texas, in part because Woodward believes the strategy wouldn’t mesh with Tommy John surgery returnees Shelby Miller, Edinson Volquez and Drew Smyly. “I wouldn’t do it from a health standpoint,” Woodward said. “I don’t want to put Shelby Miller in that kind of situation. I don’t know if he can warm up in the bullpen. They have a long toss routine. You can’t long toss in the bullpen. I want them to do what they normally do, and it’s not fair for them to put them in that situation.” Miller’s likely to begin the season on an 80- to 85-pitch count, Grant reports. Given the uncertainty surrounding Miller, Volquez and Smyly, who are joining Mike Minor and Lance Lynn in the Rangers’ rotation, the club could opt for an eight-man bullpen, Sullivan relays.
- Texas’ 40-man roster is at capacity, but if the club needs to create an opening, it’s possible it’ll designate right-hander Connor Sadzeck for assignment, Wilson suggests. A member of the Rangers since they selected him in the 11th round of the 2011 draft, Sadzeck was the team’s 15th-ranked prospect at Baseball America as recently as 2016. Sadzeck struggled in the minors during the ensuing season, however, and didn’t reach the majors for the first time until last year. He then allowed only a single run in 9 1/3 innings, but with seven strikeouts against 11 walks, that success was largely smoke and mirrors. The hard-throwing 27-year-old was solid in his initial taste of Triple-A action last season, though, as he logged 10.18 K/9 versus 3.79 BB/9 and posted a 4.03 ERA/3.59 FIP.
Wait? Hunter Pence is hitting .382 with 3 HRs this spring? Not bad! Hopefully he makes the team and has a nice bounce back year with Texas. Go Pence!
Could thrive in texas
Is Calhoun another Profar waiting to happen?
Profar could play all over the field. Willie is not as flexible. If he’s going to make it it’ll be with the bat alone.
Calhoun could learn a lot from Pence. Specific? How to get most out of potential. Calhoun has been a major disappointment so far. Rededicate? Probably too late. Texas should trade him with Choo to Indians. And bring back Kipnis and top prospect.
Ha
I know most people have their money on the Marlins or orioles to get the worst record this year, but I’m betting on the Rangers. Sorry my Texas friends.
Rangers can mash bash homeruns like monsters. I’d take your bet.
Texas plays in a weaker division than Miami and Baltimore. Texas winning 65-70 games won’t be the worst in baseball.
What about Diamondbacks. They have nothing
Why would you have a young team and waste a roster spot with a wore out Hunter Pence. I don’t understand this team. They ran Profar in the ground and now a has been like Pence instead of looking at Calhoun. Jon Daniels doesn’t have a clue. He hasn’t won anything since the left overs from Nolan Ryan left.
Calhoun will get his shot eventually, whether it’s this year or next. But you sign a few high-character veterans like Pence, Cabrera and Mathis precisely because this team is so young. With Beltre retiring, you need a handful of guys in the clubhouse with skins on the wall and experiences to share that can help hold the young guys accountable and show them how the game is meant to be played.
Good leadership always has value, whether your team is ready to win at a high level or not.
Pence will be popular in Texas. They loved him in San Fran. He was the patron saint of knee pads and high socks.
You’re confusing Hunter Pence with Stormy Daniels, as the patron saint of kneepads….
I thought it was Trump when he meets with Putin…
That makes no sense when trump has done more to hurt Russia.. arming Ukraine, in Syria the US troops literally bombed Russians, expanding the oil exports, getting other countries to pay up in nato..
But Calhoun only “batted a so-so .294/.351/.431 in 470 PAs” in the minors, according to the article. 🙂
Willie is an LF/DH.. they already have multiple guys ahead of him, Gallo, Maz, Choo.. the Rangers need to either pay someone to take Choo or unload Maz or Gallo and get a haul for either and play Willie. Gallo honestly should be the RF of the future with guns mobility and arm.
That’s a brutal rotation the Rangers will be counting on.
It is a risky rotation, but with a lot of potential. Miller, Lynn and Volquez and to a lesser extent Smyly have all had success at the MLB level (albeit rather removed for Volquez). If the guys return to previous form they have shown and stay healthy, it will be a decent rotation. It isn’t going to be the best rotation in the league by any means, but it has the potential to be a solid rotation.
If this was 2014, the Rangers would have a great rotation. Too bad its not.
Bunch of Rangers haters, but nobody will admit it if they end up winning the division this year.