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Texas Rangers: One bold prediction for every position player

By Travis Koch

ST PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 16: Nomar Mazara #30 of the Texas Rangers reacts to hitting a three run home run in the eighth inning during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on April 16, 2018 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
ST PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 16: Nomar Mazara #30 of the Texas Rangers reacts to hitting a three run home run in the eighth inning during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on April 16, 2018 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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Texas Rangers
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 06: Catcher Jeff Mathis #2 of the Arizona Diamondbacks throws the ball to second base in the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game one of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 6, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

50/50 catching split changes to 70/30

The Texas Rangers have noted their intention to have Jeff Mathis and Isiah Kiner-Falefa split catching responsibilities. I don’t expect that intention to hold true from April to September.

To use an NFL analogy, Mathis to Kiner-Falefa is Josh McCown to Sam Darnold. McCown stood as the New York Jets’ backup QB in 2018-19 to essentially teach Darnold how to play quarterback at the NFL level. Mathis is here to help IKF figure out the catching position at the MLB level.

Mathis will play some, deservedly so. He knows how to command a pitching staff and he’s a great catcher. The Rangers need a player like him around. He’ll likely start behind the plate about half the time over the first couple of months, but expect Kiner-Falefa’s opportunities to increase as the season lengthens.

Next. Who's in line to be the Rangers' setup man?. dark

The many weeks in which Texas plays six games, Kiner-Falefa may catch four and Mathis two. Youth needs to play, and IKF is 12 years younger than Jeff Mathis. IKF will also be a part of the Rangers for way longer.

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