Power Ranking the Texas Rangers’ Managerial Candidates

As of now, the Texas Rangers have six candidates to choose from in their managerial search. We’ve ranked each from least likely choice to most likely choice.

The Texas Rangers continue their process in finding their next manager. Two candidates have left the race, however, six candidates remain in the running. Additional names may surface, but, as for now, we can only work based on what we know. As such, here are your power rankings for the Rangers’ six managerial candidates:

6. Jayce Tingler

Tingler has been a part of the Texas Rangers organization for nearly his entire professional career. He played at the Double-A level with Texas and has been a member of the organization’s front office and coaching staff for all of his post-playing career.

He was named one of the Rangers’ assistant general managers in 2016. He also spent two years under Jeff Banister as the field coordinator and filled in as the team’s bench coach when Don Wakamatsu filled in as interim manager at the end of the 2018 season.

Tingler has significant experience in player development; though, he is far behind the other five candidates in terms of coaching experience. Jon Daniels knows Tingler very well, but naming him the new manager would likely be an unpopular decision.

5. Rocco Baldelli

Baldelli is only seven years removed from playing. He was a highly touted prospect in the Tampa Bay Rays organization; however, injuries ruined what could have been a very successful big league career.

Since his retirement, Baldelli has held multiple roles with Tampa, including special assistant to the GM, first base coach (at the major league level) and field coordinator. He was the field coordinator on Kevin Cash‘s staff last season

Like with Jayce Tingler, Baldelli’s lack of coaching experience may very well eliminate him from the Rangers’ consideration. His name will certainly pop up in forthcoming MLB managerial searches.

4. Don Wakamatsu

Wakamatsu is the only remaining candidate who has actually managed a big league club. He did so in 2009 with the Seattle Mariners, seeing the team to an 85-77 record. Though, he was fired the following season when the Mariners were 42-70 on the year.

He has plenty of experience as a major league bench coach. He was the bench coach for the Kansas City Royals when they won the World Series in 2015. And of course, he served as the Rangers’ bench coach this past season.

Wakamatsu would be a respectable hire as the team’s new manager. With that said, Texas will most likely look for a fresh face to go along a fresh start.

3. Dusty Wathan

Wathan has 10 years of managing experience in the minor leagues, all spent in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. Prior to the 2018 season, he was named to Gabe Kapler‘s staff as the Phillies’ first base coach.

He does not have the experience at the major league level like the other candidates do; however, Wathan was very successful while managing in the minors.

2. Brandon Hyde

Hyde has spent the last five years as a member of the Chicago Cubs organization. That means he has spent the last five years under the tutelage of Cubs’ President Theo Epstein and Cubs’ manager Joe Maddon. Both are known to be masters of their individual crafts.

Hyde has served as Chicago’s bench coach for multiple seasons. He also managed in the minor leagues for a number of seasons in the Marlins’ organization.

He’s certainly climbed the ranks in an impressive manner. The Texas Rangers will give him a long look as the team’s possible next manager.

1. Joe Espada

Espada served as the bench coach for the Houston Astros in 2018. He took over for Alex Cora once Cora took the manager job with the Boston Red Sox. If Cora’s success is any indication of what Espada is capable of as a manager, the Rangers need to take him into strong consideration.

Like Brandon Hyde, Espada has worked under a number of proven individuals, including Yankees’ GM Brian Cashman, Yankees’ former manager Joe Girardi, and Astros’ current manager AJ Hinch.