News and Notes

Texas re-signed infielder Guilder Rodriguez, 2B/OF Alejandro Selen (a potential six-year minor-league free agent), and RHP Daniel Lopez.

Full-Season Position Players of the Year

1. 3B Mike Olt (Age 24, AA, .288/.398/.579, 46 XBH, 14% BB rate, 4 SB)

Olt led Texas’s minor leaguers with 28 homers in only 95 games, drew a lot of walks, and played excellent defense at third.  He had a brief MLB campaign hampered by plantar fasciitis, Olt barely played down the stretch. But when he played he didn’t hit much. Despite the disappointing conclusion, Olt confirmed his status among baseball’s best prospects during the course of the season.  He’s going to be a solid Major Leaguer. In what should be a busy offseason, Olt’s status is as undefined as anyone in the organization.  In recent years, Texas hasn’t used Spring Training as a tryout camp except for role players, so Olt will probably know his short-term future no later than March 1st. He could be in Texas, Round Rock, or traded to another franchise.

2. SS Jurickson Profar (Age 19, AA, .281/.368/.452, 47 XBH, 12% BB rate, 16 SB) 

Fantastic. Elite. Will be with Rangers in 2013. 

3. CF Leonys Martin (Age 24, AAA, .359/.422/.610, 32 XBH, 9% BB rate, 10 SB)

Statistically, Martin pummeled the opposition.  He only played in 55 games, Martin missed six weeks with a thumb injury after an ill-advised head-first slide but hit as well as ever when he returned. Martin did not affirm his status as Texas’s 2013 CF.  His use of plus running and defensive tools felt short at times.  Like Olt, circumstances and lack of instant production hurt him. Additional AAA seasoning doesn’t serve much purpose. Is a Martin/Gentry platoon in center what the Rangers go with in 2013? 

4. 3B Drew Robinson (Age 20, low-A, .273/.409/.444, 40 XBH, 17% BB rate, 10 SB)

After a highly disappointing 2011 in Spokane, the left-handed Robinson again started slowly then hit 13 homers and spent a fair amount of time at 2B.  His platoon split was huge. Robinson was drafted in 2010 as an uncommonly polished high-school hitter.  The year matched the results. Myrtle Beach, then Frisco in 2013.

5. RF Joey Butler (Age 26, AAA, .290/.392/.473, 49 XBH, 14% BB rate, 6 SB)

Butler in 2012 he improved his walk rate, struck out less and smacked a career-high 20 homers. He’s a corner outfielder who will be 27 next season.  In a lesser organization, or with the Rangers during the early part of the previous decade, he would have already stepped onto a Major League field. Round Rock or another organization in 2013. 

6. 1B Chris McGuiness (Age 24, AA, .268/.366/.474, 48 XBH, 13% BB rate, 0 SB)

After an injury-plagued 2011, McGuiness showed why Texas wanted him in the Jarrod Saltalamacchia trade.  He ranked fourth in the Texas League in homers (23) and walks (69). McGuiness was in the Arizona Fall League’s Rising Stars game, but he doesn’t hit for average, wasn’t young for the level and plays a position that demands hefty offense.  He has to keep producing.  Round Rock in 2013.

7. 2B Leury Garcia (Age 21, AA, .292/.337/.398, 25 XBH, 5% BB rate, 31 SB)

2012: After an impressive AFL, Garcia made incremental gains offensively and eliminated much of the inconsistency from his dazzling defense at second and short. Slowly, steadily, Garcia has improved. Turns 22 in March, will be at Round Rock in 2013.

8. 2B Odubel Herrera (Age 20, high-A, .284/.335/.382, 33 XBH, 6% BB rate, 27 SB)

Steady, solid. Mixed.  Herrera handled the level and will reach AA as a 21-year-old.  On the downside, another tryout at shortstop proceeded poorly.  Assuming he’s done there, his future depends more heavily on his bat. Frisco in 2013.

9. SS Hanser Alberto (Age 19, low-A and high-A, .299/.327/.410, 39 XBH, 4% BB rate, 24 SB)

Contact-oriented shortstop improved greatly from 2011 at Spokane.  Was in Carolina League while still a teenager and was the youngest hitter with at least 200 plate appearances in the league .  At mid-season, he simply stopped taking pitches, drawing only two walks in his last 78 games. Status is up.  Alberto showed fans what Texas sees in him. Frisco in 2013.  But don’t view a repeat of the Carolina League as a setback.

10. CF Engel Beltre (Age 22, AA, .261/.307/.420, 47 XBH, 4% BB rate, 36 SB)

Beltre hit for power and had his best year in stolen bases. He’s a top-notch defender in center. The power surge is nice, and the statistics, Beltre’s plate approach hasn’t changed.  His percentages of pitches taken, swings-and-misses and other categories were unchanged. Including playoffs, Beltre has played 317 Double-A games. Wow. Round Rock in 2013, if he’s still with the organization.

I miss the happy Texas Rangers.

Today, I was supposed to be getting ready to go to a game at RBiA to see the Rangers play. Instead I’m sitting at work and trying to figure out what I’m going to have for dinner tonight.

It wasn’t supposed to be like this.

Over the next few months, I expect to see a lot of changes in the makeup of the Texas Rangers. A few of the key players for this team over the past few years are free agents (i.e. Josh Hamilton and Mike Napoli, among others). Along with the possibility of not resigning at least one of those two, I expect a few trades. I think they need some new blood in the clubhouse that isn’t bitter or beaten down about the past couple of postseasons.

This team needs to start over.

» Continue reading “Texas Rangers: Let’s Beat A Dead Horse!”

(Image via flickr.com user mikelachance816)

Mariners 6, Rangers 3

The Starter

Martin Perez took Scott Feldman’s start this time through the rotation. Perez went only four innings, allowing six hits, giving up four runs [three earned], two walks and three strike outs. Funny that Scott Feldman relieved Perez going three innings and allowing only one hit, while striking out five. Alexi Ogando pitched the eighth inning, giving up a two out home run to of all people Miguel Olivio and striking out two. Rangers still have to wonder if that forearm stiffness is bothering him. Ogando has given up eight home runs in 60 innings. The staff as a whole combined for two walks and ten strikeouts.

» Continue reading “No Beltre, No Hamilton, Rangers Offense Dives Into Puget Sound”

(Image via Keith Allison.)

It’s nice to see the Rangers taking advantage of a series against a losing team, especially this late in the season. 

Ryan Dempster, with help by bombs by both Adrian Beltre and Josh Hamilton, pitched a solid game, going 7 innings, giving up only 2 runs.  Dempster struggled through the 3rd, 4th and 5th, but cruised through his final 2 innings of work.

Now, for the bad news. Adrian Beltre left the game in the 5th due to a sore shoulder, injured on an incredible diving play in the 2nd. Not much was said as to the extent of the injury (Beltre is getting a “precautionary MRI”), but, as we all know, a Beltre injury at this stage of the season could be pretty detrimental for this team. Let’s hope they were just being overly cautious.

And to make matters worse, Josh Hamilton left the game after the 7th with soreness in his knee.  Fantastic…

Oh, but there’s more… Mike Olt, who came into the game for Adrian Beltre in the 5th, exited the game after pulling a leg muscle in the 7th.  So, we got to see Ian Kinsler play 3rd with Jurickson Profar coming in to play 2nd. Anyone else shocked Young wasn’t asked to play 3rd? Wash confuses me.

FINAL: Rangers 5, Indians 2

Let’s start with this: Today is the 11th anniversary of 9/11. Let us never forget. A moment…

Now on to baseball…

When I was little I loved the Indians for some reason. They were my second team behind the Rangers. Why? I have no idea. I think as I got older though, my hardcore passion for the Rangers grew and the Indians got left in the dust.

Here we are in present day as the Rangers came back from an off day to take on the Cleveland Indians at home. Harrison vs. Jimenez. This should be interesting. I talked about it the last time the Indians played the Rangers. Does anyone remember when Jimenez rocked?

Yeah, about that. Now I just kind of want to laugh at him. Don’t get me wrong. I love the fact the boys came in and beat him up (with the exception of Hamilton), but seriously….how does someone go that downhill after being traded? I just don’t get it.

Jimenez lasted 5 innings but gave up 5 runs (only 2 of them being earned runs) , 4 hits and 4 walks. Harrison on the other hand looked pretty good out of the gate. He went 5 and 2/3 only giving up 2 on 5 hits and 3 walks.

The Rangers bats looked pretty good tonight too. Beltre knocked in his 31st ding dong… Kinsler, Moreland and Martin had doubles and Murphy, Martin and Soto had stolen bases. Yes, I know the stolen bases don’t have anything to do with the bats, but the fact that Soto stole a base got me excited. Sorry for partying people!

The Rangers got in a little bit of trouble in the 8th when Mike Adams came in…It was interesting. The Tribe put two more on the board making the score 6-4 Rangers.  Not to worry though. Joe Nathan came in in the 9th and shut it down.

I’m glad the Rangers pulled this one out. The A’s are seriously getting too close for comfort. I know it’s a pennant race, but let’s put some distance between us and them, ok guys?

FINAL: Rangers 6 , Indians 4

END OF GAME NOTES:

• Cruz was not in the starting lineup today. Could it be he’s not boomsticking enough?
• Where is Jurickson Profar? That kid is fun to watch. Let’s put him in more Wash. He’s proven he can play some ball. Plus, any 19 year old that says he ‘acted’ scared to get the same pitch is a hero in my book.
• I still love David Murphy.
• Mike Adams had an interesting 8th inning. I’m not really sure what he was doing. Still thinking about Joe Nathan in a Cowboys uniform? Don’t know what I’m talking about? Look it up…it’s kind of funny.

(Image via Keith Allison)

Well, the Rangers continued where they left off last night…not hitting.  Thankfully, all that ended in the 4th when Josh Hamilton laced his 40th home run, giving the Rangers a 2-0 lead.

Saturday’s starter, Yu Darvish, did his best to mimic Derek Holland’s performance from the night before, going 8 strong innings, giving up only 1 earned run on 2 hits with 7 strikeouts.  And like Holland, the rest of the team really wasn’t supporting his strong start. With a man on 2nd and 2 outs, an Ian Kinsler error would let the Rays tie things up in the bottom of the 8th.

However, unlike Friday night, the Rangers offense woke up in the 10th.  A double by Geovany Soto followed by a Jurickson Profar double, would score Leonys Martin (who was pitch running for Soto).  A walk, single and ANOTHER Josh Hamilton hit by pitch, the Rangers would lead 4-2.

Really until the 10th inning, there’s not much else to report offensively besides Hambone’s homer.  The Rays did (purposely?) hit Hamilton in the  top of the 6th, resulting in home plate ump giving warnings to both benches.  Of course, Wash came out to argue since that wouldn’t give the Rangers a chance to retaliate, but isn’t winning retaliation enough?  I think so.

FINAL: Rangers 4, Rays 2

Happy Labor Day everybody! I love today. Celebrating working by not going to work. Awesome. I hope everyone had a great weekend at BBQs, pools, parties, games, etc!!!

The Rangers came to play today when Yu Darvish took the mound against Chen and the Kansas City Royals. Darvish looked awesome today. He pitched 7 innings, gave up 3 hits and 3 runs and struckout 6, but the coolest part was he had a perfecto game going into the 6th inning. He got the first 17 he faced out and was only broken up by a two out walk and a bloop single in the 6th.

Darvish was on today. He looked like he was more relaxed, throwing pitches he knew he was comfortable with, and cut down on his walks. It’s amazing what happens when you don’t give up 6 walks a game.

The Rangers had Darvish’s back and put up 8 runs with 5 bombs by Beltre, Cruz, Hamilton, Young and Soto. Home run happy team!!! That makes me happy.

In the top of the 9th inning it almost got a little dramatic when Royals pitcher, Louis Coleman, plunked Nelson Cruz in the back. He was obviously trying to send some kind of message, I’m just ot sure what that message was supposed to be.

Anyways, Nelly looked like he was ready to charge the mound when both benches were cleared and warned. The drama fizzled out when Michael Young hammered one to left center. That shut everyone up. It was great. The Royals couldn’t catch up to Joe Nathan however and the game would end with the Rangers on top by 4.

Have a great rest of the long weekend everyone!!!

FINAL: Rangers 8, Royals 4

END OF GAME NOTES

• I kind of missed Profar being in the lineup today. Kinsler went 0-5 and was less than impressive. Don’t get me wrong I love me some Kinsler, but with Profar at second that is one killer infield.
• Beltre is still eating his super Wheaties.
• Hamilton is either on fire or cold as ice. He’s either bombing home runs or striking out. There is no in between and it’s starting to get on my nerves. Let’s get some consistency in here people!
• David Murphy is still my hero. Dude is a stud.
• Matt Harrison hits the mound tomorrow to go for his 16th win.

Jurickson Profar…WOW! That’s really all that needs to be said. Welcome to the bigs Mr. Profar.

To say that Profar led the Rangers today could be a misunderstanding, but I’ll say this, he led the Rangers by inspiring them. That’s my opinion. He finished 2 -4 with a home run, double, RBI, and a run scored.

As far as the other players, Profar inspired Derek Holland to pitch 7 inning while striking out 6. He inspired Josh Hamilton, Adrian Beltre, and David Murphy to all hit home runs.

He also inspired the defense to make some spectacular plays…please see Elvis Andrus, Nelson Cruz, and Beltre on sportscenter.

And finally, Jurickson Profar inspired the Rangers to victory by a score of 8 – 3. I want to personally thank Ron Washington for playing the youngster.

The Rangers visit the Kansas City Royals tomorrow. Game time starts at 1:10 pm. Yu Darvish tows the rubber for God’s team.

The Texas Rangers were defeated by the lowly Cleveland Indians by a score of 4 to 3. The tribesman came into the game with a 6 game losing streak, but no longer. It’s not really how I imagined the Rangers starting off September, and certainly, my sister Jillian did not expect this as a birthday present from them.

Let me be completely honest…it was really tough to pay attention to the entire game. It is the first college football Saturday of the year, and it’s also dove season, so maybe I didn’t even get to watch it all. But I followed it on my phone and I watched enough of it.

Scott Feldman started slow allowing 4 runs in the 1st and the Rangers were never able to catch up. David Murphy and Adrian Beltre did their best by each hitting home runs, but it just wasn’t enough.

The thing I was looking for the most was seeing Jurickson Profar play shortstop, however, he just played around on the bench. Even though Elvis Andrus was slotted as the DH, Ronnie gave the shortstop start to Mike Young. Huh? Yeah…I’m not sure about that one either.

The Rangers and Indians play again tomorrow at 12:05. Derek Holland will take the ball to start.