JUNE 11: Calhoun has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A, per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News (via Twitter).
JUNE 5: The Rangers announced that they have selected the contract of outfielder Steele Walker. Infielder Andy Ibanez has been optioned to make room for him on the active roster. To create space on the 40-man roster, outfielder Willie Calhoun was designated for assignment.
Walker, 25, was originally drafted by the White Sox but joined the Rangers as the return in the trade that sent Nomar Mazara to Chicago. In 2020 and 2021, Baseball America considered him to be one of the top 30 Rangers prospects, though he fell off the list this year after a disappointing 2021 campaign. In 111 games between Double-A and Triple-A last year, he hit .241/.308/.400 for a wRC+ of 83. He’s turned things around this year, however, hitting .297/.395/.486 for a 126 wRC+.
That line comes in just 20 Triple-A games, but it’s evidently enough that the club wants to see if he can carry it to the big leagues with him. Kole Calhoun and Adolis Garcia have been mainstays in the Texas outfield, though it’s been a rotating cast of characters that have been suiting up next to them, including Ibanez, Brad Miller, Eli White, Zach Reks and Nick Solak. Miller is on the injured list and no one else has taken sufficiently taken over a regular role, creating an opening for Walker to get this audition.
As for Willie Calhoun, this move will almost certainly conclude his tumultuous relationship with the Rangers organization. Just over a month ago, he was demoted to Triple-A and didn’t mince words when speaking about the situation, telling the media that he had asked the team to trade him. Furthermore, he also questioned the club’s coaching strategy. “I don’t agree with some of the hitting philosophies from the new guys,” Calhoun said. “I don’t process that (information) too well. I’m not 6-4, 230 pounds; I can’t hit pop-up home runs. I don’t have that leverage.”
Calhoun was the headlining prospect in the deal that sent Yu Darvish to the Dodgers, though he’s struggled to cement himself at the big leagues since then. In 253 games over the past six seasons, he has a career batting line of .241/.300/.407, 85 wRC+. Despite that sluggish output, he’s likely to garner interest around the league based on his previous prospect status, with teams hoping that a change of scenery could help him get his career back on track. Despite many up-and-down seasons, he’s still just 27 years old and came into this campaign with three years and 33 days of MLB service time. He’s in his final option year, meaning any acquiring team wouldn’t even have to commit to an active roster spot for Calhoun, and could control him beyond this season through arbitration.
Of the three prospects the Rangers got in the Darvish deal, A.J. Alexy is now the last one still with the organization, as Brendon Davis was lost to the Angels in the minor league portion of the Rule 5 draft prior to the 2021 season. Alexy made his MLB debut last year but is currently struggling in Triple-A. Through 48 2/3 innings this year, he has an ERA of 6.29.
wish granted for Willie.
Someone will have to claim him. His .221/.267/.397 line in AAA and the PCL won’t help him in his quest.
True. I would imagine a team like the O’s, Pirates or A’s would have interest in giving him a 40 man spot for now. Often, they play the game of “I’ll sneak him through waivers later”. But if nobody claims, that will be fascinating to see if Texas has him remain in the organization or just cuts ties altogether. With Solak, Bubba and Leody as the AAA starting outfielders, and JP Martinez and Dustin Harris not far from promotions at AA, Texas may just say buh bye.
They called up Smith about week ago but went on IL almost immediately after
O’s are full up on poor fielding/hitting outfielder types
Adding to my note a few days back, not only will his anemic batting line in AAA hurt him, so will his guaranteed $1.3MM salary. Any team claiming him would have to pay it.
Nobody claimed him = no wish come true… just a reality check.
Willie Calhoun’s history in Texas was written a couple of years ago, the first time he pouted when he got sent to minor league camp. If you can’t field any position on the field, then you better be an elite hitter, and Calhoun isn’t.
ETA: So the Rangers didn’t get much in the Yu Darvish trade, but the Dodgers didn’t get an awful lot out of Darvish, either.
Willie was never a smart player to target in that trade. The scouts and JD dropped the ball on that one. It was fairly obvious, much like the Gibson-Howard trade last season. Nice Gallo trade though!
The market was very soft when the Rangers traded Darvish. The Dodgers weren’t budging on their better prospects. When it came down to it, the Rangers could either take Calhoun and some spare change, or just let Darvish walk in free agency.
The final chapter still hasn’t been written on the Gibson/Howard trade.
Calhoun WAS one of their better prospects at the time. He was a top 100 prospect and one of the Dodgers top 4 just behind Bellinger, Verdugo, and Yadiel Alvarez and ahead of Walker Buehler.
The Rangers did pretty good with their return on Darvish prospect-wise. It just didn’t work out.
The Rangers asked for Verdugo or Buehler before settling for Calhoun.
Dustin May and Gavin Lux were further down that prospect list. Ruiz and will smith when our own catcher prospects were practically nil besides Trevino. Alexy should be working out of the pen
The darvish trade is yet to be complete. AJ Alexy is still pitching in the minors. Last couple years he had a 1.67 ERA. This year not so great but still young. Brendan Davis is batting .290, in the minors since joining TX minors . As of right now, TX won. PADRES traded YU to Whitesox while JD traded Lance Lynn and we got Dunning and Avery
AJ Alexy is in his 7th year in the minors and having a terrible season. Not sure you could call that a win.
Brendan Davis is no longer in the Texas organization, nor did he bat anywhere close to .290 when he was.
Alexy still has a shot, but he’s going to have to clean up the walks. That problem has plagued him his entire career. He’s most likely destined for the bullpen.
Calhoun was a poor player to target from the start. He’s short, stubby, slow, plays terrible defense, has mediocre power, and a bad attitude. He was all bat. One strength, and not one that was off the charts. When he struggles hitting, he brings nothing to the table.
Texas should’ve targeted lower ranked, toolsier players, as they did in the Gallo trade. As I said, the scouts and JD dropped the ball. I don’t know anybody who would claim Texas won the Darvish trade, except Daniels fans, who all have blinders on and have completely ignored the Texas Rangers record over the past five seasons.
22-year-old, considered above average with the bat, is hitting .298/.357/.574 with 23 homers in 99 games for Trip… it was worth the trade until it wasnt. Honestly, Yu didn’t preform great in LA either since he was traded the next year
Darvish didn’t get traded by the Dodgers. He became a free agent at the end of the half season he played with them. His stats while on the Dodgers were decent.
I agree with u but I think they settled for what they could get. They targeted walker buehler and dodgers said no way
That lance Lynn for Dane Unstunning(Dunning) a head scratcher also. I think they gave done better.
dane dunning is pretty good, its not like lyyn has done much to help the sox.
Willie got upset because they tried changing his swing this year with the new batting coach. The #1 one batting coach. They tried to make him hit for more power instead of him lining out majority of the time. Willie didn’t want to listen to the statistics and said his hitting is fine the way it is
..
I disagree we got a chance to play in the world series.
What r u talking about. That has nothing to do with this. We went to series in 10-11 darvish came in 12
If you’re talking to me? I’m talking about Yu coming to the Dodgers in 17′
Career Minor League Numbers
AB: 1935
R: 313
H: 553
HR: 91
RBI: 324
SB: 11
AVG: .286
OBP: .353
OPS: .849
I wouldn’t mind the O’s taking a shot on him, but definitely getting down to his last chances to be a big leaguer…
Ya they’re the worst organization in major league sports tied w the Sacramento kings why not give calhoun a shot literally couldn’t make things any worse for the o’s
But he might make things figuratively worse for Balt.
Steele Walker, Texas Ranger
Steele Walker was the return in the Nomar Mazara trade.
Willie should look to the Orient for a payday at this stage
Was hoping for a Calhoun for Andujar straight swap
Still could happen. I think Calhoun would be pretty good in Cincinnati. Swap him for a lotto ticket minor leaguer or maybe Aquino.
I thought a Calhoun for Aquino swap would workout well for both teams too.
Finally, Steele Walker, Texas Ranger!
‘Steele’ would have also worked fine in Chicago. It hard to fathom him being a worse RF option than Nomar Mazara.
Brutal on defense Friday. Alligator armed a fly ball that sealed the deal. Another AAAA player it would seem.
Does this set the stage for Preller to swoop in and grab another ex-Ranger with hopes of catching that, ‘lightning in a bottle?’ Stay tuned…
Calhoun is still young enough to get a chance elsewhere and forge a productive career given the universal DH. Texas has been a disaster at developing any bats above AAA, so it’s no surprise that Calhoun didn’t connect with any of their player development voices. He was really good in the Dodgers system, put up an .850 OPS season at Texas and then became another burnout in Texas’ developmental screwups. Next additions on the burnout list: Leody Tavares and Bubba Thompson – one a former top prospect and the other a #1 pick. Texas’ development staff has coached them to 10BB to 100K ratio at the AAA level. They will get picked apart at the MLB level. This is not an organization that produces productive MLB bats.
I would agree, except that Texas overhauled the entire way that we draft and develop hitters over the last few years. Thompson is the last of the old draft philosophy so your statement is probably still true for him, too much swing and miss. Texas’ new philosophy guys are hit tool guys first, and include Josh Jung, Foscue, Zavala and Carter, who all look pretty good so far.
Still it’s true that outside of Gallo we haven’t produced too many useful MLB level hitters, I think most of the Rangers fans who can stop screeching about John Daniels will wonder why Kipp Fagg still has a job, that bothers me greatly.
Sox need to claim this guy. He’s got potential to be a doubles machine
You would think that except he’s a groundball hitting machine. Hitting the ball in the air seems like something he refuses to do, and he’s alluded to that in quotes. He’s going to need to go somewhere where they’ll coddle his fragile ego.
Launch angle to hit fly balls is what he’s against. Not liners. That has nothing to do with a “fragile ego” and more to do with knowing where he excels and that players aren’t a bunch of robots that can use the same mechanics, take the same approach etc
Well said. Calhoun is a 5-foot-8 low center of gravity guy. Height and weight doesn’t preclude a player from success – see Alejandro Kirk . But forcing Joey Gallo swing philosophies and mechanics on a guy like this is a horrible idea – especially in a new dead ball era. But, it’s what you get with the Rangers. A left handed hitting Alejandro Kirk as a DH and occasional RF is within Calhoun’s reach. After all – this is a league that still employs the likes of Ryan O’Hearn, Robbie Grossman, Luke Voight and Jed Lowrie. There’s a role for him somewhere.
Agree with this. Jury still out if another team adopts a different philosophy and he thrives.
Cubs may take a shot at Calhoun. Heck they gave one to Frazier. I’d rather have Calhoun.
Calhoun for Andújar trade.
Callhoun for Frazier swap would’ve made headlines 5 years ago lol now it might read two overinflated ego former prospects get traded for one another
should have added Bubba Thompson
strikes out far too much at the moment
Just another terrific trade that Jon Daniels made.
Dodgers should take a flier. Injuries have them using Eddy Alvarez lol.
I read this comment right as Alvarez hit a game tying single in the bottom of the 9th.
Lol
Lol . They should try to get him or Andjuar or however you spell his name. One of them could get a chance to keep a spot on the roster
My money says he ends up with Los Pobres. Could be a nice signing for them.
Giants anyone ??
I’d love to see Willie and AJ packaged to, St. Louis for Tink Hence.
“Mr. Young, Jerry DiPoto on line 2..”
Andujar for Calhoun? Could be interesting trade idea for both teams
There is an entry this morning on the MLB transactions page that Calhoun has accepted an outright assignment to Round Rock. He apparently has cleared waivers and didn’t opt for free agency.
We need some new scouts and hitting coaches. They dont develop a lot of talent and what they do develop can’t avoid strikeouts and hit .220 if they’re lucky. Been that way for a long time. Profar, mazara, Gallo, he doesn’t have the 5 yrs service time to elect free agency
They’d be better off playing the bones of John C Calhoun. At least he knew defense.
I read Steel Walker and immediately thought of those Star Wars walking machines AT-AT and AT-ST.
I admit, I thought Calhoun had a bright future. Oh, well.
I actually thought he would have a nice career as well. The history of the game is littered with over hyped, “can’t miss” prospects that crashed and burned in the big leagues though. Clint Frazier comes to mind. So Is Kelenic headed that route? Joey Bart? Jo Adell? Time will tell……
Willie for Alex Bregman who says no?
Who would want Bregman? He only hits the ball when he knows what type of pitch is being thrown, the speed, and the location. He’d be great in a Tee Ball League!
Oh Yeah, And He’s MASSIVELY OVERPAID!
That’s why I proposed a trade for someone who was recently sent to the minors. I know reading comprehension is hard but try harder
Also how would he know the location of the pitch beforehand? The astros cheating told them what type of pitch was coming not the location. Plus that was 5 years ago. Time to move on with your life buddy
Maybe you missed the Massively Overpaid part? Should I make it Larger? I understand reading comprehension is hard for Astros fans, but jeez, this is ridiculous!
Here’s another little tip for you, since I have to walk you through this. Bregman’s stats show he’s not a very good hitter since he stopped cheating. This is a fact. Anybody can see that. That has nothing to do with me, or the fact that Astros fans desperately want people to stop mentioning the cheating scandal. Bregman is not a very good player, much like Calhoun, except Bregman is paid much more money. Do you understand?
Try Harder, Astros Fan
In 2019 had 19 HR in a season but only .6 WAR. Calhoun is a DH but doesn’t hit enough to be a DH. There’s no consistency with his production so it’s hard to tell what exactly he is. I could see any number of teams taking a flyer on him and then being misled by his AAA numbers.
Lazy with a bad attitude. A lot of talent going to waste.