Five Bold Predictions for the Texas Rangers’ Lineup in 2014

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With the 2014 season approaching it is time to make a stand about what might come for the Texas Rangers. Below is five bold predictions for what we will see from the Texas Rangers’ lineup in 2014.

1. Prince Fielder hits 35 homeruns and out does his career average wRC+.

Prince Fielder is a borderline superstar and has proven over the years that he can post monster numbers. At the time of the Prince Fielder for Ian Kinsler trade critics of the trade pointed out Fielder’s below average 2013 season. These people argue Fielder is already declining because of his size. Fielder is only 29. Perhaps his skills will deteriorate more quickly than the average player but most players, especially elite players like Fielder, slowly fade instead of abruptly crumble. Fielder still has a lot of good years left. This year will see a big bounce back for the big bopper. His career wRC+ is 140. Fielder also accounted for 2.2 WAR despite a 125 wRC+ so his defense is suspect. I will not make a related to his defense or WAR but Fielder will be rejuvenated in coming to Texas and will respond with huge numbers. Fielder will surpass his 140 wRC+ in 2014 and make Jon Daniels look like the genius he is.

2. Adrian Beltre has a better 2014 than he did in 2013.

Sep 26, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre (29) hits an rbi single during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Adrian Beltre seems to defy age every year. One has to wonder when his production will start slipping but the guy never seems to slow down. I won’t be the one to bet against him this year. With a better lineup around him look for Beltre to improve on last year’s numbers. I will predict he bests his homerun numbers and posts a better wRC+ from 2013. Beltre had 30 homeruns and a 135 wRC+ in 2013 so a better 2014 will be truly great one.

3. Mitch Moreland and Geovany Soto combine for as many homeruns as Price Fielder.

Sep 30, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers first baseman Mitch Moreland (18) hits a single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fifth inning at Rangers Ballpark at Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Moreland and Soto had 23 and 11 homeruns respectively in 2013. With Moreland serving as a full time designated hitter and Soto getting more playing time in 2014 both of those numbers should go up. The two could combine for 40 homeruns in 2014. Moreland may well be on tap to have a career year because he know has the external motivation of losing his position to Prince Fielder. Moreland has the potential to break through this year and finally put all the pieces together. One of the by products of this breakout will be Moreland hitting 25 plus bombs. He totaled 23 last year so if my prediction is correct and he can find some consistency he has the potential to blow past that number in 2014. Soto flashed power in a platoon/bench role in 2013. Now that he should have the starting role in 2014 Soto could approach 20 round trippers. Between these two Prince’s homerun total may be duplicated.

4. Jurickson Profar is worth at least 3.0 WAR.

Sep 3, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Texas Rangers shortstop Jurickson Profar (13) hits a sacrifice bunt against the Oakland Athletics to advance two runners during the third inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

I will not predict that Profar can replace Kinsler offensively but Profar is a good defender and will improve offensively in 2014. A three WAR season would be solid, although not great, for Profar. Three WAR would be roughly what Elvis Andrus did last year (2.8 fWAR) and right in line with what many starters did for Texas last year. Leonys Martin provided 2.7 and Ian Kinsler was worth 2.5 in 2013. Profar’s slash line ( .234/.308/.336) was not particularly good in 2013. I expect that Profar will see significant progress in his offensive game. He will not get to a .300 average or .420 OBP this year but if he gets into the .270s and can raise his OBP into the .350 range then Profar will have a magnificent season. Those numbers would be similar to Kinsler’s 2013 season and the Texas Rangers will have won the Fielder for Kinsler trade.

5. Somebody other than Adrian Beltre wins a gold glove.

Sep 20, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus (1) turns a double play with a throw over Kansas City Royals base runner Eric Hosmer (35) during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

This team is loaded with top notch defenders. Elvis Andrus, Leonys Martin, Jurickson Profar, and Alex Rios are all elite defenders. Admittedly it will be difficult for Profar and Martin to win the award because the Gold Glove selection process is not particularly good. Younger players often struggle to get proper recognition if their hitting lags behind. Pedro Florimon from last year is a good example. None the less, Martin should be on the voters’ minds after a stellar year last year. This should finally be the year Andrus gets some recognition and Alex Rios has a chance to get his due as well. I predict at least one of these guys will pull down the hardware this year.

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