Spring Training Preview: Starting Rotation (Ranked)

Mar 14, 2012; Surprise, AZ, USA; A general view of a game between the Colorado Rockies and Texas Rangers during the sixth inning at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The Texas Rangers starting rotation has a few question marks going in to spring training.  With the injury to Derek Holland they will be looking for someone to step up for a starting pitcher role.  The Texas Rangers could have re-signed Matt Garza, but it was reported today that Matt Garza and the Milwaukee Brewers are working on a 4 year deal worth $52 million.

Since Matt Garza is more than likely off the market and Masahiro Tanaka has been signed by the New York Yankees, it appears what Jon Daniels said about promoting from with in for the starting role will happen.   During spring training, several players will get some starts in order to set the rotation by opening day.

How do the rank?

Colby Lewis

July 18, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Colby Lewis (48) pitches during the second inning against the Oakland Athletics at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Colby Lewis spent the entire year on the disabled list.  He was set to return to the Rangers after a rehab assignment with the Frisco Rough Riders and Round Rock Express (AAA) after his surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon in his right elbow.  But just a few starts he was having issues with his triceps and in August he had right hip resurfacing surgery.

Recently, Lewis has said he’s felt as good has he’s ever felt.  He has been pitching some off a mound and Ron Washington said he’s looking good.  But that doesn’t mean he’ll be starting for the Texas Rangers anytime soon.  He’ll be with the Texas Rangers during spring training, but he’ll spend the rest of the time in the minors.

Washington hopes that he’ll be able to bounce back well in the minors and return to the Texas Rangers.  If Colby Lewis feels as well as he says he does, that is totally possible.  When Lewis is in form, he’s very effective and one of the best pitchers the Rangers have.

Before his injury Lewis was throwing his fast ball 89-90 MPH and also used a cut fastball, slider, curve and a change up.  When he was working his rehab assignments, his fastball only came in the mid 80’s, something Lewis wasn’t satisfied with.

In 2012 Colby Lewis had a record of 6-6, an ERA of 3.43 and a WHIP of 1.076.

Tanner Scheppers

Aug 26, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Texas Rangers relief pitcher Tanner Scheppers (52) pitches to the Seattle Mariners during the 9th inning at Safeco Field. Texas defeated Seattle 8-3. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

During the 2013 season, Scheppers was a prett solid reliever throughout the year.  Last season he had and ERA of 1.88 over 76.2 innings.  He never allowed more than 2 runs in any of his outings.  Also, over that time, he only had 2 blown saves.

Scheppers has a fastball in the upper-90’s, curveball, slider and changeup.  Mainly he uses his fastball and curveball to strikeout batters.

While it hasn’t been heavily mentioned, Tanner Scheppers is another name that has come up in discussion as a possible replacement for the injured Derek Holland.  If anything, the biggest talk about Scheppers has been putting him in at the closer role.  During the 2013 season, it was said that Joe Nathan was grooming him for the position throughout the season.   If you take his stats for the 2013 season, he’s made a pretty solid case for being the closer in 2014 season.

In my opinion, it is best if the Texas Rangers left Scheppers as a reliever or as the closer.  He’s been solid in that role and you don’t want to mess up a good thing.

Nick Tepesch

Sep 8, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nick Tepesch throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels during the game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

For the 2013 season, Nick Tepesch finished the season with a record of 4-6 with an ERA of 4.84.  Tepesch started off the season in April very strong, but his ERA climbed a bit starting in May.  Overall he pitch well for his rookie year.  Like some of the other pitchers with the Texas Rangers, Tepesch record doesn’t reflect what he truly did for the season.  During some of his outings where he pitched very well, the offense lacked the run support to give him a win.

Tepesch normally has a 4 pitch mix with a fastball, slider, curveball and a changeup.  While his fastball is in the range 89-94 MPH, it is still very effect because he has typically solid command of it.  Recently, Nick Tepesch comment that he has been working during the offseason on his changeup.

“I threw some pretty good ones,” Tepesch said about his Tuesday session. “It’s something I’ve been focusing on this winter in my throwing program and I feel like I’ve made some strides with it. I think it’s an important pitch for just about everybody. It’s something I feel like could help me turn a corner by developing that.”  (ESPN Dallas Richard Durrett)

For the 2014 season, Nick Tepesch will be competing to make the starting rotation for opening day.  In my opinion, he’s one of the favorites to make that list.  He has the experience, arm and command to make it.   With an improved offense, that should help his numbers and if he needs it, his confidence.

Martin Perez

Sep 30, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Martin Perez throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning at Rangers Ballpark at Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Martin Perez was arguably one of the best pitchers on the rotation last year behind ace Yu Darvish.  He had a record of 10-6, ERA of 3.62 and a WHIP of 1.335.  Perez, like Darvish, could have had a few more wins last season, but had the lack of run support.  There were a few games where Perez had issues with his command, but overall, he was very effective.

During the offseason in November, the Texas Rangers gave Perez a 4 year contract extension worth $12.5 million and has 3 club options.  This means the Texas Rangers have control over Perez through the 2020 season.  This was a very good contract for the Rangers, because Perez should continue to grow as a solid left-handed pitcher.

Martin Perez features a fastball, changeup, curveball and an occasional slider.  His fastball is usually in the lower 90s but sometimes can be in the mid-90s.  He is able to back up his fastball with a solid changeup.

Perez should continue to grow as a starter going into 2014.  He’ll continue to work on his command, but that shouldn’t be a problem.  He was solid in 2013, and should be solid or even better in 2014.

Alexi Ogando

Sep 27, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Alexi Ogando (41) delivers a pitch to the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning of a baseball game at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

During the 2013 season Alexi Ogando, when healthy pitched well.  He had an ERA of 3.11, WHIP of 1.227 and a record of 7-4 over 18 starts.  The down side for Ogando in 2013 was is injuries.  He went on the 15-day disabled list 3 times in 2013.  Also, Ogando had an opponents batting average of .231.  Overall, he was one of the top pitchers last season for the Texas Rangers.  If it wasn’t for injuries, he could have been the number 2 pitcher.

• 5/16/2013 – Right biceps tendinitis
• 6/6/2013 – Right shoulder inflammation
• 8/14/2013- Right shoulder inflammation

He primarily pitches a four-seam fastball that averages in the mid-90’s.  Also he uses a slider and a changeup that comes in the mid-80’s.

Alexi Ogando is looking to return to the starting rotation in 2014.   He’s repeatedly said that he wants to be a starter.  If he can stay healthy and do well during spring training, he’ll make the starting rotation.   Although, if he struggles and injuries become an issue, Ogando could be in the bullpen this year.

Matt Harrison

Apr 6, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Matt Harrison (54) throws to the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Harrison started the season off by pitching in the opening day series in Houston against the Astros.  After the 2012 season, it seemed the Texas Rangers starting lineup would be another powerhouse that included Matt Harrison.  Harrison only started 2 games in the 2013 season before having back surgery.

In August, Matt Harrison started doing his rehab assignments, but starting having more issues.

“I felt strong from the get-go,” Harrison said. “The ball was coming out of my hand good. Except for having to come out of the game as a precaution, a little bit of tingling, other than that, I just had some long innings, deep pitch counts. I threw a lot of pitches in those three innings.” (ESPN Dallas – Richard Durrett)

Shortly after that start, Matt Harrison was shut down for the season ending all hopes he would return to the line up.  Harrison again went to the doctor about his back, but there wasn’t any additional damage.

“There’s nothing that we’re concerned about at this point,” Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. “It was a significant injury, real surgery and we have every expectation he’ll be 100 percent by this offseason and certainly by spring training. We were hoping to have him back this season, but it’s not going to happen.” (ESPN Dallas – Richard Durret)

In late December, Harrison again started to pitch again.  Like Lewis, Harrison said this is the best he’s felt in a long time.  He’s on pace to be with the Texas Rangers for spring training and it is likely he could return to the starting line up.

Harrison was banged up badly during his 2 games in 2013, but he was solid in 2012 when he was healthy.  He had a record of 18-11, ERA of 3.29 and a WHIP of 1.261.

If Harrison is able to return to the starting lineup, the Rangers will have one of the best rotations in the league.

Yu Darvish

Sep 24, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Yu Darvish (11) throws a pitch in the first inning of the game against the Houston Astros at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Yu Darvish established himself as the ace of the starting rotation last season.  Darvish started off the season with an almost perfect game against the Houston Astros, but it was broken up by batter number Marwin Gonzalez by a single hit up the middle.  Later that season, Darvish again flirted with a no-hitter deep in the game, but failed to close the deal.

To go along with his 2 flirts with history, Darvish threw 4 games where he only allowed 1 run, but the Texas Rangers didn’t manage to score earning him on the list of pitchers to lose four 1-0 games in a season.  Again, run support for pitchers was an issue.

Yu Darvish had a record of 13-9, ERA of 2.83 and a WHIP of 1.073.  But his record should have been closer to 20 considering in many games the Texas Rangers failed to score more than 4 runs.  In 2013, Darvish lead the majors in strikeouts with 277, hits per 9 innings at 6.2 and strikeouts per 9 innings at 11.9.

Recently Ron Washington named Yu Darvish as the opening day starter, which really doesn’t come as a surprise.  Looking to 2014 season, Yu Darvish should have a Cy Young level year.  With the improved offense of the Rangers, that should give him a few more wins and his ERA should remain about the same.

Overall, my guess for the opening day starting rotation would be Yu Darvish, Matt Harrison, Alexi Ogando, Martin Perez and Nick Tepesch.  The everyone is able to remain healthy, that should be a stable and one of the best rotations in the league.  With the improved offense, the Texas Rangers are positioned to start off red hot again.