5 Things To Look Forward To For Texas Rangers Spring Training
By Jared Sandler | @sandlerj
1. Who is in Left Field?
With Josh Hamilton's health always an issue, the Rangers must be prepared for the possibility that his continually troublesome left knee keeps him off the field. Justin Ruggiano is likely to earn starts versus lefties (.856 career OPS vs. LHP), but does not appear to be the best option versus righties (.695 career OPS vs. RHP). Ryan Rua will have a chance to regain playing time and the Rangers could still explore options currently outside of the organization (Austin Jackson, perhaps?).
With Jeff Banister's announcement last week that Joey Gallo will spend most of his spring at third base, it clears the road for the Rangers to consider Nomar Mazara as a possible option.
While Opening Day is unlikely for the 20-year old, he could certainly convince the organization he's close with a quality month of March.
2. And the fifth starter for the Rangers is:
Chi Chi Gonzalez? Nick Martinez? Anthony Ranaudo? A.J. Griffin? Myles Jaye?
Barring injury, the Rangers will open the season with Cole Hamels, Derek Holland, Martin Perez, and Colby Lewis in their rotation. That leaves one spot for the taking.
The reality is that the Rangers will need around 10 starters throughout the season (they used 12 different starters in 2015), so some of this conversation is more cosmetic than anything, but the winner of the competition will not only have the first shot, but he will also have the first shot to fill in when Yu Darvish returns.
Gonzalez is the favorite with Nick Martinez and his willingness to pitch inside certainly in the conversation, but I'm curious to watch Myles Jaye, an off-season acquisition in a trade with the White Sox, and learn where A.J. Griffin is health-wise.
3. Riding the Pine
The bench for the lefty-heavy Rangers will be critical, especially when trying to match up late in games against opposing bullpens. Also valuable might be a backup centerfielder with a defensive prowess for late-game situations, similar to how the Rangers used Drew Stubbs as a defensive upgrade over Delino DeShields last year. I'm interested in if James Jones hits enough to make the team. While he won't surprise folks offensively like DeShields did last year, he will certainly be a valuable set of wheels off the bench and his dynamic outfield arm is just one of his defensive tools.
4. Getting to know the Lieutenants
The Rangers enter 2016 with a new pitching coach, Doug Brocial, and a new hitting coach, Anthony Iapoce.
While their impact will be felt throughout the season, Spring Training allows an up-close-and-personal look at their respective work as they establish the foundation for their philosophical footprint. Brocail's biggest project will likely be talented, yet inconsistent and oft-injured starter, Derek Holland, while Iapoce will have his hands full with young rising hitting prospects like Mazara, Lewis Brinson, and, of course, Joey Gallo, who is often compared to one of Iapoce's former projects, Cubs star Kris Bryant.
5. He's baaaaaack...right?
Jurickson Profar has missed the last two seasons due to shoulder troubles, but the Rangers are still hopeful that there's value remaining in the 22-year old (23 on February 20th).
While it's highly unlikely he makes the club out of camp barring a number of injuries, the goal should simply be for Profar to play and continue to get his legs underneath him. Whether this is ultimately building towards a possible mid-season call-up or an enhanced trade value is to be determined.
While Profar gets back into the action, Hanser Alberto is in the driver's seat to lockdown the utility infield spot out of camp.
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