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Texas Rangers: Which 5th Starter Candidate Has The Edge?

By Preston Renfro

Jul 3, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Chi Chi Gonzalez (21) pitches against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 3, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Chi Chi Gonzalez (21) pitches against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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The field of competitors for the 5th and final spot in the Texas Rangers rotation has continued to grow. But which of the eight apparent contenders has the edge?

Competition for the temporarily vacant 5th starter position will certainly not be an issue for the Texas Rangers this spring. With the recent signing of Jeremy Guthrie, there are now a total of eight rotation candidates known to be in the mix for one open spot. Sifting through the apparent glut of qualified arms will primarily be accomplished through Cactus League game action over the next month. However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t any favorites, that will kick off the spring with the benefit of a head start on the competition.

To many, Chi Chi Gonzalez holds the front-runner distinction as game action begins. There are several reasons that Chi Chi is favorably positioned to snatch the 5th starter role this spring.

In making his big league debut in 2015, Chi Chi showed the organization and fans pretty much exactly what scouting reports and minor league data has led us to expect. He showed the potential to become a mid-rotation type starter, with low to middling strikeout numbers, who relies on deception, movement, and control, to induce weak contact, and keep the ball on the ground.

The walk and strikeout numbers in Chi Chi’s first big league action certainly leave something to be desired. 33 free passes against only 30 strikeouts in 67 innings isn’t going to cut it in the long term, and improvement needs to be shown going forward. However, the overall body of work for Chi Chi in 2015 was solid. By putting together a respectable 3.90 ERA through 10 starts, which included a very impressive four start run to kick off his major league career. Chi Chi has positioned himself favorably in the minds of those in the Rangers’ organization heading into 2016.

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The apparent ground ball tendency that Chi Chi possesses due to his sinking fastball (career 1.75 GO/AO in the minors), also works in his favor with respect to this competition. Even though Globe Life Park has not played quite as hitter friendly the last few seasons, with the notorious jet stream seemingly going AWOL. The numbers still indicate that the Rangers’ home field is still skewed significantly in favor of hitters.

As a result, keeping the ball on the ground with weak contact, is still a very important endeavor. Chi Chi’s ability to do so, gives him an immediate leg up on more fly ball prone competitors like Nick Martinez (career 0.75 GO/AO in the majors), and A.J. Griffin (career 0.62 GO/AO in the majors). The ball flies in both Arizona and Texas, and a ground ball tendency will aid in producing a strong spring, as well as contribute to success in Texas if he makes the team.

Also working in Chi Chi’s favor, is the fact that the Texas Rangers view him as part of the long-term plan for the rotation. The edge in experience and track record certainly goes to fellow candidates like Jeremy Guthrie and Cesar Ramos, but the fact that Chi Chi is both familiar to the organization, and is viewed as part of the future serves as somewhat of a neutralizing factor.

Past experience shows that going into the spring as a leading candidate, while certainly beneficial, only gets a player so far. There are quite a few solid options in play for the Texas Rangers, and the competition is bound to be wide open. Don’t count out any of the candidates, especially Nick Martinez, Jeremy Guthrie, or A.J. Griffin, who seem poised as the most likely suspects to pass Chi Chi and usurp the spot for themselves this March.

Agree? Disagree? What are your thoughts on the 5th starter competition for the Texas Rangers? Please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments below.

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