Projecting The Rangers Opening Day Roster
By Jared Sandler | @SandlerJ
SURPRISE (105.3 THE FAN) -- Opening Day is right around the corner, and after a full month spent in Surprise, here is the group of 25 who I think -- not necessarily "want" -- will be on the first lineup card Jeff Banister writes out in a regular season game as a Major League manager.
First, there are 17 names who are obvious and require no discussion. (In no particular order)
Starting Pitchers
1. Yovani Gallardo: the team's Opening Day starter
2. Derek Holland: the team's likely starter for the home opener.
3. Colby Lewis
4. Ross Detwiler
5. Nick Martinez
Bullpen
6. Neftali Feliz: identified as the closer to start the year.
7. Tanner Scheppers: primary setup guy
8. Shawn Tolleson (setup)*
In the field
9. Elvis Andrus (starting shortstop)
10. Shin-Soo Choo (starting right fielder)
11. Prince Fielder (starting first baseman)
12. Mitch Moreland (starting designated hitter)
13. Rougned Odor (starting second baseman)
14. Adrian Beltre (starting third baseman)
15. Leonys Martin (starting centerfielder)
16. Robinson Chirinos (starting catcher)
17. Carlos Corporan (backup catcher)
Ok. So that leaves us with eight spots to be had.
Here is who I think makes the team, in order of my confidence.
18. Adam Rosales (Utility): He isn't an "All-Star," but he's an "All-Star utility player."
19. Ryan Rua (starting left fielder): Yeah, he started slowly and his outfield play is still a work in progress, but he's got strong upside and started hitting as well as anyone over the last few weeks.
20. Sam Freeman (left-handed reliever): Jon Daniels said the organization's expectation is for him to break camp with the big club after recently acquiring him, so I'll take him at his word.
21. Keone Kela (middle relief): He's passed every test they've shoved his way, and the "clock" for a hard throwing reliever isn't something teams protect nearly as much as they do for a potential middle-of-the-order bat or frontline starter.
22. Jon Edwards (middle relief): Like Kela, he's done just about everything you could want for a team with some bullpen questions.
23. Kyuji Fujikawa (middle relief): Something tells me they like the potential he offers, especially with the Spring struggles of Tanner Scheppers and Shawn Tolleson.
24. Delino DeShields Jr. (backup outfielder): They love his "unique set of skills," which, as far as anyone in camp saw, really means his raw speed, which hasn't yet translated into great base running. But with the heart of your lineup made up of two guys coming off of ankle surgery, another with hamstring issues, and a few others who don't fly on the bases, having a runner isn't the worst idea -- and they are thin in that area.
25. Carlos Peguero (backup outfielder): Without him, the Rangers wouldn't have a left-handed hitting option off of the bench. While I like Smolinski more, I think they are intrigued by the possibility that they've found the key to Peguero's raw talent which has so far been missing and would prefer to give "Smo" everyday at-bats in the interim.
*If he starts the year on the DL, which is really up in the air at this point, I think Roman Mendez gets the temporary nod.
