Other Options for Texas Rangers Second Baseman

Aug 17, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers shortstop

(9) follows through on his swing against the Seattle Mariners during the eighth inning of a baseball game at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Rosales reached first base on an error. The Rangers won 15-3. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

Jurickson Profar is starting to worry Texas Rangers fans with his shoulder tendonitis. The next setback means that he will not be ready for opening day in all likelihood.

"“I think they should be a little bit worried because at this point if he has one more setback we’re talking about whether or not he will be able to go stating second base on opening day.” Richard Durrett said on The Hague Sports Podcast Tuesday night. “If he throws next week and he doesn’t experience any discomfort and everything’s fine then I don’t think it’s any big deal…He’s not going to play in every single game Cactus League wise, and he has played enough second base that I don’t think that is a big concern. But if next week comes and he’s throwing and once again has discomfort, then you worry that maybe something else is going on in that shoulder at the very least…he won’t be the starting second baseman on opening day.” Durrett went on to say."

So what are the Texas Rangers going to do if Jurickson has another setback? Who are the other options at second? I’m glad you asked.

Adam Rosales  – Rosales, the Texas Rangers utility infielder, has played 92 games at second base in his six year career, and he has started there 68 times. Rosales has a .984 fielding percentage at second (Baseball Reference). Rosales has turned 34 double plays while at second in his career as well . Rosales has a -0.2 WAR for his career and BABIP is .256, and his wRC+ is 69 (FanGraphs). Jurickson Profar’s wRC+ is 74 for the record. Rosales would be my guess if I had to take a stab at who will be the guy to replace Profar is he misses any time.

Luis Sardinas – Luis is on the forty man roster, and so I think that the Texas Rangers will take a look at him for the spot if Profar is unable to go. Sardinas is primarily a short stop, but then again, so was Jurickson Profar before he came to the majors. Luis had 432 plate appearances at the A+ level in 2014, and he had a line of .298/.358/.360 with a wRC+ of 104 (100 is average). He hit one home run and had 31 RBI. He also had 141 plate appearances at Frisco, with a line of .259/.286/.311 with a wRC+ of just 68. He may get a look, but I would be surprised if the Texas Rangers brought him up for this spot/

Rougned Odor – Odor may not be on the forty man roster, but he is a highly touted prospect with a lot of upside. I would not really have considered him an option, but Evan Grant had this to say when asked a question about Odor.

"“There are two sides here. If Profar isn’t ready, then to carry Odor means putting him on the 40-man roster earlier than necessary. But, on the other hand, the way this group manages this team: If Profar isn’t ready and the management group thinks Odor is the best guy to play their regularly until Profar is ready, they won’t hesitate. My guess is that if Profar is behind, it won’t be more than a week and for a week, I think the Rangers would go with Adam Rosales or add a veteran who gets released this spring.”"

Odor just turned 20 a couple of weeks ago, and that is young. He also has not played above the AA level at Frisco. Last season Odor had a line of .306/.354/.530 with 6 home runs and 19 RBI, and his wRC+ was 147. He is young but he is extremely talented. Don’t be surprised if he gets a look.