Sports

5 Names To Know On Rangers Opening Day Roster

April 6, 2015 / 10:29 AM CDT / CBS Texas

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ARLINGTON (CBSDFW.COM) -- Baseball is back!

The Rangers stumbled in 2014 to a 67-95 record and last place in the AL West. But with a new season -- and new manager in Jeff Banister -- the team gets a fresh start.

Along with the usual suspects in Derek Holland, Adrian Beltre, and Prince Fielder, here are 5 names that you need to know on the Rangers' Opening Day roster.

1. Delino DeShields Jr.

Delino DeShields Jr. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)

Speed. That's DeShields' calling card and the primary reason he's on the Opening Day roster.

Texas selected the outfielder from the Houston Astros' Triple-A Oklahoma City roster in the major league phase of December's Rule 5 Draft.

In each of the last three seasons, the 22-year-old has stolen at least 50 bases. And in 2012, he became the first player in minor league history to hit 10+ home runs (12) and steal 100+ (101) bases in a year.

"I was impressed with the jumps that he had in the outfield," said Manager Jeff Banister. "You can definitely see a skill-set there and that there are some tools."

While he develops his bat, expect his speed to be used late in games.

2. Keone Kela

Closer of the future? Perhaps.

Kela has zero major league experience, but the hard-throwing right hander proved that he's ready for big league action this spring. With a mid-to-high 90s fastball, Kela allowed just three runs in spring training action (all in one appearance).

Last season at Frisco, he finished with a 1.86 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 36 appearances. Expect big things -- particularly if closer Neftali Feliz struggles out of the gate.

3. Rougned Odor

(Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

Yes, Odor spent most of the 2014 campaign in Arlington (114 games). Yes, he outperformed expectations. But there's reason to believe that the 21-year-old can be even better in 2015.

Odor showed some power last season, hitting 9 homeruns, 14 doubles, and 7 triples. You can't teach that.

But teaching and experience can enhance Odor's game in some areas. After skipping Triple-A, Odor was caught stealing in 7 of 11 attempts last season. That -- among other things -- should change.

4. Nick Martinez

The Rangers 18th-round selection in the 2011 Draft, Martinez started 24 games for Texas in 2014 -- and with mixed results.

But a strong spring allowed him to beat out Nick Tepesch and Lisalverto Bonilla for the fifth and final spot in the rotation.

In Cactus League action this spring, Martinez allowed just one run on 10 hits.

His 4.55 ERA and 1.46 WHIP from 2014 -- not great. But Martinez could excel this years as the 5th starter.

5. Ryan Rua

Rua won the battle and will be Texas' starting left fielder on Opening Day in Oakland.

After being called up last season, Rua hit .295 with 14 RBI and two homeruns in 28 games.

After a slow start to Spring Training, the 25-year-old has turned it on at the plate. He'll have every opportunity to become a regular alongside Leonys Martin and Shin-Soo Choo in the Rangers outfield.

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