The Surprise, Surprise: Competing For A Roster Spot
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The Leadoff
Here's Mike Bacsik and I discussing the Rangers' catcher situation and whether or not they need to upgrade.
And here's our weekly audio podcast, Hello, Win Column!
Stat of the Day
4: the amount of batters who have reached based against Andrew Faulkner of the 21 he's faced. Faulkner is competing for an Opening Day roster spot. For my money, he's earned it and will serve a valuable role on the team as a lefty capable of dominating lefties while remaining very tough against right-handed batters, too.
Quote of the Day
"That's brutal on the White Sox's part." -Rangers player on the White Sox's handling of the Adam LaRoche/Drake LaRoche situation.
"He's a good kid. It's ridiculous how the 'suits' have handled something involving our clubhouse--not theirs--ours!" -White Sox player on the White Sox's handling of the Adam LaRoche/Drake LaRoche situation.
Covering the Bases
*Ryan Cordell went down trying to beat out an infield single hustling to first. He pulled up just before the bag and tumbled up the chalk onto the outfield grass. He was removed from the game in the field and I'll make sure to update you as soon as more information is available.
*Shin-Soo Choo was experiencing back stiffness and was not in the lineup Thursday. He was able to hit in the cage and says it is nothing more than a precaution.
*Former Rangers OF Marlon Byrd signed a minor-league deal with the Cleveland Indians
Game Notes RANGERS 2 Brewers 5
On the Bump
*Nick Tepesch probably blew out whatever flame was still lit representing his bid for the final spot in the rotation. He struggled to throw strikes (56 pitches, 28 strikes) and lasted just 2.1 innings as a result, allowing 5 runs (4 earned) on 7 hits and 2 walks.
*Andrew Faulkner looked strong in two scoreless innings of work. He allowed just two base runners, one on a walk and the other on a bloop hit. If March performance determined the competition for the final bullpen spot(s), he'd have one locked down.
*Shawn Tolleson made his Cactus League debut, pitching a scoreless frame. He hit 94 mph on the radar gun and had hitters off-balance on his change up which is a nice sign.
*Tony Barnette made his sixth appearance, working a scoreless ninth. I'm very intrigued by how successful his transition back to the States goes. He certainly adds quality depth.
At the Dish
*Joey Gallo was hit in his first plate appearance, but in his second plate appearance continued to demonstrate a keener eye. He worked the count in his favor, 2-0 and ultimately ripped a loud single on a 2-1 count.
*Otherwise, the Rangers had three hits...FOUR STINKIN' HITS! But, seriously, there really weren't offensive highlights of note.
In the Field
*Ian Desmond played center field for the first time. He looked fine other than an error he committed when he misplayed a ball hit his way on the ground. Other than that error, which was not a "good" error (if there is such a thing), he didn't look out of place, making one catch in which he had to range well into the left-centerfield gap.
*Isiah Kiner-Falefa is a 20-year minor league infielder from Hawai'i. I'm not sure what his Major League potential is--it might be bleak--but whenever he plays as a minor league call up in these games, he impresses. Tonight was no different with two nice plays from the short stop position.
Minor League Games
*Rougned Odor went 2-for-4 on the backfields with a single and a double.
*Colby Lewis (57 pitches) went 3.1 IP, allowing 4 runs on 7 hits versus the Triple-A El Paso Padres.
The Walkoff
The Adam LaRoche situation is both fascinating and complicated. I've had the opportunity to speak to players both with the Rangers and the White Sox, members of the Rangers staff, and former players. After listening to their thoughts combined with my inclinations, I've come up with a few thoughts.
First, my initial and prevailing thought, which was not influenced by any conversation, is that the biggest tragedy in this whole thing is the fact that Drake LaRoche, a 14-year old kid, is thrown into the middle of a very public story. By all accounts from those who know him, he's a good kid. And even if he wasn't, he's 14-years old. I hope he doesn't deal with any guilt or humiliation because of all this.
Second, for those who are interested, the Rangers' policy allows kids to hang around at home up until shortly after batting practice (5:30p-6:00p for a 7:05p home game).
Anyway, here are some random thoughts in no particular order of importance:
*The timing of this is weird. A policy for something like this should have already been in place. No matter which way that policy leaned, if a rule is set, it is up to the players to follow it. It doesn't appear as if anything was set. The players with whom I've spoken have all agreed that, while they might have a preference on kids and their presence, they would have no problem if a rule was in place. And even if the White Sox never felt a prior need to have a rule in place, why not address it sooner in the off-season as opposed to Spring Training?
*It's tough to compare the Major League Baseball workplace to any other job when I hear or read people suggest that there is no other place where you can bring your kid to work everyday. The families of ballplayers have to share their husband/dad/whatever for seven months. Yes, these guys make plenty of money and I'm not apologizing for them, but just because someone makes a lot of money doesn't make it easier to spend as much time away from their kids as they do. All I'm suggesting is that I have no problem with kids being around within the framework of whatever rules or policies are in place. I'm not suggesting that a kid should be there 24/7.
*Sometimes in these scenarios someone takes a fall for someone else. I'm not sure if Kenny Williams is doing that for owner, Jerry Reinsdorf, who some say is the vocal power behind the decision to clamp down on Drake LaRoche's attendance, but, frankly, this isn't a decision that should be made by Williams or Reinsdorf. This is a decision that should be made by the players in that clubhouse in collaboration with their manager, in this case, Robin Ventura. The clubhouse is essentially a summer home for the players and thus should be theirs to govern.
*I spent the summer of 2011 with the Great Falls Voyagers, a White Sox affiliate. It was my first broadcasting job and it came immediately after college graduation. One of the things that stood out to me was the wide-ranging complaints from those in the organization about Kenny Williams. His continued employment baffles many and, frankly, their lack of success supports that. He is not well-regarded to say the least.
*There has been speculation surrounding what the players in the clubhouse actually believe or how they actually feel. My guess is that at least one or two of the players thought Drake LaRoche's presence was a little much and said something to higher power. That doesn't make them right or wrong but I don't think the clubhouse was necessarily unified on his attendance. What I believe they are unified on is a disapproval of how the situation was handled.
Let the kids play...
Until tomorrow, Peace Be the Journey
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