Texas Rangers: Three Bold Predictions for Spring Training

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TORONTO, ONTARIO – AUGUST 12: Rougned Odor #12 of the Texas Rangers blows a bubble gum bubble after hitting a home run against the Toronto Blue Jays in the seventh inning during their MLB game at Rogers Centre on August 12, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /

Spring baseball is right around the corner for the Texas Rangers. Here are a few bold predictions that may (probably won’t) come true.

The Texas Rangers will report to Surprise in just a few weeks. Just one year ago, we saw Danny Santana come into camp on a minor league deal and become the God-send the Rangers needed. Willie Calhoun was optioned to minor league camp early on, which surprised most Rangers fans. Logan Forsythe and Hunter Pence came into camp late and made the team out of Spring Training with Pence even earning an All-Star bid. These are a few of the surprises we saw in 2019, but who is going to be 2020’s Santana, Calhoun and Pence? Here are my three bold predictions for Texas Rangers Spring Training.

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 will break camp with the Texas Rangers

Yohander Mendez may go down as one of the greatest busts in Texas Rangers’ prospect history. He’s dealt with injuries, command problems and attitude problems over the years, resulting in demotions and his obvious struggles at the big league level. Not this year. Mendez will turn that corner, and I predict he breaks camp with the Rangers as a bullpen piece. He’ll join Brett Martin and newly acquired Joely Rodriguez as the third lefty in the bullpen, and will dominate. He possesses quality stuff, but hasn’t found the consistency in the major leagues. His slider, which has always been a solid number two, will be wipeout. He will become one of the better stories on the year for Texas, and the Danny Santana of 2020.

SURPRISE, AZ – MARCH 05: Infielder Rougned Odor #12 of the Texas Rangers tags out Chase d’Arnaud #2 of the San Francisco Giants as he attempts to steal second base during the third inning of the spring training game at Surprise Stadium on March 5, 2018 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Rougned Odor has a knack for starting off slow. In 2020, he will get the trust of Ranger’s faithful back.

I’m very high on Rougned Odor, and his struggles are evident. Up to this point in Rougie’s career, he has been labeled as a second half hitter, but in 2020, he will leave Arizona healthy and swinging a hot bat. I predict that Odor will hit over .400 in Spring Training this year, and will take that success into the season. I believe Odor can be an All-Star caliber player, with All-Star caliber talent, and in 2020 that will come to fruition. This success will lead to the most #12 jersey sales in Arlington since his debut, and Rangers fans will get to see the full potential of Rougned Odor. He will be the 2020 Hunter Pence.

GOODYEAR, AZ – FEBRUARY 25: Jose Trevino #71 of the Texas Rangers catches a warm up pitch as the pitch clock ticks down during the third inning of a spring training game against the Cleveland Indians at Goodyear Ballpark on February 25, 2019 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

Jose Trevino is coming into camp as the odd-man out, but his presence will be seen. By the end of camp, the Rangers will be forced to make a move behind the dish.

Jose Trevino has grown into a fan favorite over the past two seasons since his debut. From the walkoff single on Father’s Day after losing his father and having a son of his own to the off the field work with charities in Arlington and Frisco, he is the definition of what it means to be a Texas Ranger. This spring, Trevino will put it all together and will force the Ranger’s hand in the catching department. Robinson Chirinos’ reunion sets him in stone, so who goes? Jeff Mathis. Jon Daniels said that Chirinos and Mathis will be the two catchers on the roster come Opening Day. I don’t think so. I predict that Jose Trevino’s bat comes to life, as well as his above average defense, and he becomes a Texas Ranger permanently. No more getting optioned to Nashville, he’s here to stay.

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Spring baseball is right around the corner for the Texas Rangers. Here are a few bold predictions that may (probably won’t) come true.

Yohander Mendez will break camp with the Texas Rangers

Rougned Odor has a knack for starting off slow. In 2020, he will get the trust of Ranger’s faithful back.

Jose Trevino is coming into camp as the odd-man out, but his presence will be seen. By the end of camp, the Rangers will be forced to make a move behind the dish.

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