Mar 18, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers outfielder Shin-Soo Choo bats against the Milwaukee Brewers at Maryvale Baseball Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
It is a much easier task at this point then it was when I projected it a month ago here, and I was very wrong on the rotation and of course the bull pen to say the least. Now that Tanner Scheppers has officially made the Texas Rangers rotation and Aleix Ogando has not, things have changed a little bit. With one week left until the season starts, here is how I see the Texas Rangers shaping up next Monday when the hit the field for game one.
Starting Fielders:
Shin-Soo Choo – left field.
Elvis Andrus – short stop.
Prince Fielder – first base
Adrian Beltre – third base
Alex Rios – right field
Mitch Moreland – designated hitter
Geovany Soto – catcher
Jurickson Profar – second base
Leonys Martin – center field
This one has not changed since I did my last projections, and I did not think it would. These are the guys for the Texas Rangers and that is not changing barring injury. Here is my bench, which has also stayed the same except for one addition (Hey, I am pretty good at this so far!).
Bench Players:
Michael Choice – outfield
Adam Rosales – infield
J.P. Arencibia – catcher
Kevin Kouzmanoff – infield
That means the Texas Rangers are only going to carry four outfielders, but with the way Michael Choice has played this spring, he has most assuredly earned a spot on this team and Engel Beltre has not. Kouzmanoff has played his way onto this team as well.
Starting Rotation:
This has chanced a whole lot since my post a month ago. This now is the rotation as I see it, with the remembrance that Matt Harrison could be back just two weeks after the season starts, and Colby Lewis could get called up at some point if he pitches good and can go deep into games into the minors. Alexi Ogando pitched his way out of the rotation in spring training, and so did Tommy Hanson. Am I right or wrong? Feel free to give me your top five at any point.
The Bull Pen:
Joakim Soria – closer (made official today)
Alexi Ogando – set up man
Neal Cotts – set up man
Jason Frasor – long man
Shawn Tolleson – middle relief
Aaron Poreda – middle relief
Tommy Hanson – middle relief
This is completely different than what I had in my last projections article, but it is how I see it playing out now. We only have one week left to see if I am right or not, and it will most likely be announced way before next weekend. Let me know what you picks for the 25 man roster are if you would like. As always you can always communicate with us here on the comments section, on Facebook or on Twitter.