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Predicting the Over/Under on Rangers outfield projections

By Connelly Bock

Feb 25, 2017; Surprise, AZ, USA; Texas Ranger outfielder Carlos Gomez (1) reacts during an at bat during a spring training baseball game against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; Surprise, AZ, USA; Texas Ranger outfielder Carlos Gomez (1) reacts during an at bat during a spring training baseball game against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 14, 2017; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers center fielder Delino DeShields (3) hits a lead off single against the Arizona Diamondbacks during a spring training game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2017; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers center fielder Delino DeShields (3) hits a lead off single against the Arizona Diamondbacks during a spring training game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

Delino DeShields

  • ZiPS projection – 0.2 WAR
  • Over/Under – Over

Delino DeShields is here over other left field candidates Jurickson Profar and Ryan Rua because he’s projected the most innings played out of the three. Realistically, any of these three could be the starting left fielder come Monday.

Rua is having the best Spring Training, Profar has the highest upside and had a terrific World Baseball Classic and DeShields has had the most Major League success.

If DeShields does win the starting job he will easily surpass 0.2 WAR. He produced 0.2 WAR a season ago in only 72 games while hitting .209 and playing average defense.

For as fast as he is, DeShields should be a much better defender than he is. His poor route taking and well below average arm makes it hard to play him in center field. In his short stint with the big league club in 2016 he showed major improvements defensively.

If DeShields can continue to improve defensively while returning to 2015 form at the plate, he can once again be a table setter in the lineup.

Prediction – 0.9 WAR

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