Nolan Writin’ Staff Rangers Season Projections

Scrappiness and Heart Will Drive This Team Into the Spotlight

by Kenneth Nash, Editor

Outlook

This Texas Rangers team seems poised to make a jump into the spotlight in 2016 with their mixture of talent and desire to win. This ball club will be lead by veterans like Cole Hamels and Adrian Beltre, but brought full circle by their plethora of young talent like Rougned Odor and Keone Kela. The division will be tough this year with the Astros and Mariners steadily improving and the Athletics and Angels always threatening. There will be no days off for this Texas team this year if they want to make a run at that elusive World Series Ring.

Biggest Surprise Player

Bryan Holaday

Bryan Holaday is the latest addition to this Texas Rangers squad after being picked up just a couple of days from a trade with the Tigers. When I say he’ll be the most surprising player I’m not saying he’s going to become an All-Star caliber catcher but he is going to have a big effect on this team. Holaday was brought in to be the backup to Robinson Chirinos and I fully expect that when looking back on 2016, we’ll be able to point out exactly where Holaday helped Texas pull out some key games.

Biggest Letdown Player

Shin Soo Choo

I love the guy. And I think he has flashes of greatness. But I also think that he is on a bit of a downward trend in his career and it’s only going to continue in 2016. He’s spotty at the plate which is where the Rangers need him to shine. The letdown comes from how much Texas is paying him versus how much he’ll produce this season. At the end of the year I would not be surprised if Choo would be close to losing his starting spot to Ryan Rua, Nomar Mazara or Joey Gallo.

Top Pitcher

Cole Hamels

In my humble opinion I think this question was a no brainer. Hamels is undoubtedly the ace of this staff and is as consistent as Elvis Andrus is overpaid (but that’s for a different time). Hamels will continue to be a constant light on this staff leading the Rangers throughout the regular season and postseason. The hitters park in Globe Life won’t be a detriment to Hamels as he leads this club. His statistics will earn him an All-Star game appearance as well as being in Cy Young contention.

Record- 18-8

ERA- 3.47

SO- 209

BAA- .242

Team MVP

Rougned Odor

Rougned Odor is trending towards being the best player on this team and 2016 is the year that potential is realized. Odor put up an amazing second half of the season last year and his 2016 Spring Training promises no less. In my article about Odor a couple of months ago I said he would be an all-star this season and I stick to that belief. At second base he’s poised to put the Rangers over the top when it comes to their pennant chase.

BA- .287

HR- 21

OBP- .348

RBI- 88

Final Record

93-69 (1st in AL West)

AL West Standings

1. Texas Rangers- 93-69
2. Seattle Mariners- 88-74
3. Houston Astros- 83-79
4. Los Angeles Angels- 79-83
5. Oakland Athletics- 70-92

Playoff Projection

The Texas Rangers are a team to be reckoned with in the American League and Major League Baseball as a whole. I’m going to make a bold prediction and say the Rangers will reach the World Series this year. They have the depth to make it in the regular season and the talent and experience to make it in the postseason. In the World Series, Texas will win in 6 games against the Chicago Cubs.