Projecting the Texas Rangers opening day roster

2 of 6

Time to predict the Texas Rangers’ opening day roster. A lot can change from now to then, but here’s how things project on March 7th.

Now 10 games into spring training, the Texas Rangers’ roster is beginning to take shape. The position battles are heating up and soon enough the winners of these battles will emerge. There is still plenty of time before Manager Chris Woodward fills out the opening day lineup card, but it never hurts to take a look into what the possible opening day roster could look like.

Let’s break it down:

ARLINGTON, TX – JULY 04: Elvis Andrus #1 of the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington on July 4, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Go ahead and Pencil these guys in

While spring training is about the battles, it’s also about getting the everyday players more reps to get ready for opening day. The Rangers are in a fortunate position to have a stellar young core that will continue to develop together for another year. The following positions, barring injury, are your guaranteed starters.

DH

Shin Soo-Choo looks to have another strong season like last year when he had a 52-game on-base streak.

1st Base

Ronald Guzman, aka The Condor, is the Rangers’ hopeful long-term 1st baseman. He’ll look to put it all together in his 2nd big league season.

2nd Base

Rougned Odor looks to bring back the power in his swing and continue with the hot glove as he’s coming off of a Gold Glove finalist year.

3rd Base

Go ahead and mark it down, Asdrubal Cabrera will take on 3rd base the year after Beltre.

Shortstop

Elvis Andrus embarks on his 11th year as a Ranger.

Left Field

Slugger Joey Gallo will take left field and will hopefully hit another 40 bombs and pick the average up a little bit.

Right Field

“The Big Chill” Nomar Mazara looks to his most important year yet. Could it be the year he emerges into stardom?

PHOENIX, AZ – JULY 31: Jeffrey Springs #54 of the Texas Rangers delivers a sixth inning pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on July 31, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. It was Springs MLB debut. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

The Longshots

These players do not seem to have a strong chance to make the big league roster on opening day, but that doesn’t mean they won’t have an effect on the team later on.

Brock Burke, Taylor Hearn, Joe Palumbo

While we are all excited about the future of these guys, it seems like a stretch to pencil them into the rotation on opening day. They are full of potential and could very well be part of the rotation of the future, whether that future is this season at some point or a year from now. I would count on each to be in AAA to start the season.

Kyle Bird

The lefty that was acquired in the Jurickson Profar trade has been fantastic so far this spring. He’ll have a shot at making the opening day roster.

Andy Ibanez, Eli White, Nolan Fontana

These guys are fighting a battle with Patrick Wisdom to become the utility infielder, but I think Wisdom will hold onto the role into the regular season.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Hunter Pence #8 of the San Francisco Giants greets fans following their 15-0 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers during their MLB game at AT&T Park on September 30, 2018 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

The Maybes

These players are on the fringe. Whether or not they make the team depends on the direction the Texas Rangers want to take regarding personnel.

Hunter Pence, Zack Granite, Willie Calhoun, Carlos Tocci, Ben Revere

Hunter Pence could provide the veteran right-handed bat that a left-handed-heavy lineup needs. While Willie Calhoun is MLB ready, he is trapped behind multiple lefty hitters and outfielders. If Choo were to be moved then something could possibly happen there, but its likely Calhoun starts at Triple-A.

It’s a matter of preference for Carlos Tocci and Ben Revere. Both have good gloves but seem to be a tad bit behind Pence and Calhoun at the moment. The ability to play center field does help the cases of Tocci and Revere.

Patrick Wisdom

Wisdom looks to be the front-runner for the utility infielder spot. He looks to be an adequate edition off the bench.

Ariel Jurado, Yohander Mendez

These two rely on plan A not working quite as planned, as the Rangers are looking to rely on a rotation that consists of three starters returning from significant injury.

LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 13: Delino DeShields #3 of the Texas Rangers stands on the field after he lines out with a runner on base to end the ninth inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on June 13, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

The Battles

The main positions of emphasis are the 5th Starter, utility infielder, 4th outfielder, and, to a lesser extent, center field. CF depends on the outcome of the Delino Deshields, Carlos Tocci (who is having an impressive spring thus far) and Ben Revere situation. It’s DeShields’ to lose, but we’ll see what happens.

Other battles are trickier to predict, such as the 5th starter. Any one of Shelby Miller, Drew Smyly, Edison Volquez, Yohander Mendez, or Ariel Jurado could prevail.