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Nolan Writin'

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 12, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers right fielder Nomar Mazara (30) hits a sacrifice fly RBI against the Texas Rangers during the fifth inning at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers right fielder Nomar Mazara (30) hits a sacrifice fly RBI against the Texas Rangers during the fifth inning at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Nomar Mazara

  • ZiPS projection – 1.2 WAR
  • Over/Under – Over

With Shin-Soo Choo set to primarily DH, right field is open for Nomar Mazara. He finished fifth in American League Rookie of the Year voting a season ago all while being the youngest player in the league for most of the season.

Unless Mazara hits a sophomore slump, he should be able to surpass his projections. He finished with 1.2 WAR a season ago despite a rough second half of the season.

Possessing one of the prettiest left handed swings in all of baseball and an approach well past his years, Mazara should continue to improve at the plate. His second half of 2016 was rough but was still impressive for a 21-year old.

If Mazara can go back to hitting the ball to all fields, 2017 could be a breakout season. His line drive percentage went from 24.4 percent in the first half to 16.3 percent in the second half. His success in the first half stems from his ability to go the opposite way. In the first half he went to the opposite side 29.8 percent as opposed to 23.5 percent in the second half.

While he may never be an elite defensive player, Mazara has superstar potential at the plate. He will only be 22-years old in 2017 and could continue to improve.

Prediction – 2.1 WAR

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