Texas Rangers: Four position battles to watch this spring

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Position battles are exciting to follow all throughout spring training. The Texas Rangers have at least four to monitor over the next month.

Internal competition is one of the most exciting parts of spring training. The games don’t mean a whole lot in the scheme of things, but for a select number of players, they mean everything. Some Texas Rangers players are competing for a roster spot and some are competing for a starting spot. Spring training has begun; therefore, position battles have begun.

Which position battles should you be monitoring this spring?

SEATTLE, WA – MAY 16: Delino DeShields #3 of the Texas Rangers hits a single to drive in Isiah Kiner-Falefa #9 to take the lead over the Seattle Mariners in the eighth inning at Safeco Field on May 16, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images) /

Delino DeShields vs. The Field

DeShields knows the situation. He feels he’s the front-runner, but he understands the center field position is up for grabs.

His 2018 season was a huge drop-off from his 2017 season. DeShields’ batting average dropped 53 points, his OBP 37 points and his slugging 86 points. He also swiped nine fewer bags.

Last year was rough, though he now has a clean slate. All the 26-year-old needs is a solid spring to assure his opening day placement in the vast greens of center field. Still, an opening day nod doesn’t mean his spot is secure. Any hint of his 2018 struggles and the Texas Rangers may activate an alternative plan.

Carlos Tocci is the only player directly competing with DeShields. Tocci is a center fielder by trade. He is on par with DeShields defensively, but he hasn’t shown much on offense in his brief big league career. Tocci offers little power and he had a difficult time reaching base in 2017. He was also 0-for-3 in stolen base attempts.

The only other guy that could find himself in center this year is Joey Gallo. Well, he’ll definitely earn some starts there, but the question is how many?

Texas prefers Gallo be in left field. Only extenuating circumstances would force management’s hand to play him in center field more than maybe 25 times this season. A poor start from DeShields might just do it.

ST. LOUIS, MO – SEPTEMBER 15: Patrick Wisdom #21 of the St. Louis Cardinals hits a grand slam against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth inning at Busch Stadium on September 15, 2018 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

Anybody’s Game

The Rangers’ utility infielder might also be there starting catcher. Isiah Kiner-Falefa was behind the plate for most of the 2018 second half, but he also played second base, shortstop and third base throughout the year. He’ll certainly get some infield starts in 2019.

Texas doesn’t need a defensive replacement in the infield. Asdrubal Cabrera (3B), Elvis Andrus (SS) and Ronald Guzman (1B) are above average fielders. Of course, Rougned Odor was a Gold Glove finalist a season ago. Each infielder is also a good hitter, so it’s unlikely any of them will be pinch hit for.

Really, it’s a matter of who is capable of stepping in and performing when an infielder needs a day off. The Rangers could use Kiner-Falefa as a fill-in and use Jeff Mathis behind the plate.

They could afford the utility role to Patrick Wisdom if he has a good spring. He’s a corner infielder, but Cabrera can slide over to shortstop or second if Andrus or Odor are getting the day off. Wisdom is a right-handed hitter; therefore, he could be called upon to face left-handed pitchers.

The Texas Rangers are also giving infielders Nolan Fontana, Andy Ibanez, Danny Santana and Eli White extensive looks this spring.

GOODYEAR, AZ – MARCH 02: Yohander Mendez #65 of the Texas Rangers delivers a first inning pitch against the Cleveland Indians during a spring training game at Goodyear Ballpark on March 2, 2018 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

Yohander Mendez/Ariel Jurado vs. Shelby Miller/Edinson Volquez/Drew Smyly

Texas plans on using an experienced starting rotation to begin the year. 1-5, the rotation is supposed to be some variation of Mike Minor, Lance Lynn, Drew Smyly, Shelby Miller, and Edinson Volquez.

Anybody’s Game

This one is very complicated. Hunter Pence, Willie Calhoun, Carlos Tocci, Delino DeShields and Ben Revere are all competing for an outfield spot. We know Gallo and Mazara will take up two spots. That leaves one starting opportunity and one utility opportunity.

Whichever two have the most impressive springs will probably be the two to fill the vacancies. If Texas is looking for a defensive replacement then DeShields, Tocci and Revere would be the candidates. If they’re looking for offensive weapons then Pence and Calhoun would be the primary candidates.

The thing with Pence and Calhoun is each will only earn a roster spot if the Texas Rangers plan on affording frequent playing time. In other words, they’re not the type of players to hold a roster spot just for the occasional start or pinch-hitting opportunity.

There are too many outfield scenarios to even list out. That’s why it’ll be the most intriguing competition over the next four weeks.

Pence is recovering from a sore shoulder, so he didn’t play in either of the first two spring training games. DeShields and Calhoun are off to 0-for-5 starts. Revere is 0-for-2 with a walk and Tocci is 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI thus far.

Enjoy the competitions!

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Position battles are exciting to follow all throughout spring training. The Texas Rangers have at least four to monitor over the next month.

Delino DeShields vs. The Field

Anybody’s Game

Yohander Mendez/Ariel Jurado vs. Shelby Miller/Edinson Volquez/Drew Smyly

Anybody’s Game

Schedule