Texas Rangers: Second base primed to be topic of debate in 2020

Second base is shaping up to be a topic of debate next season. Who gets the Opening Day nod for the Texas Rangers and are there changes to be made?

On Monday we covered first base in our second installment of the Texas Rangers 2020 position previews. Now we move over a spot, to second base, a position that was steeped in debate last season and looks primed to be a hot button talking point entering Spring Training. Can Rougned Odor regain his status as a big league building block or will his poor offensive numbers see him dropped from the lineup?

Offseason Additions (Changes)

In the first two position previews we’ve seen notable additions to the position that warranted this category. However, Texas didn’t add anybody of note that seems likely to make a big league impact in 2020. Perhaps we can consider Nick Solak an addition as he looks certain to start the year with the big league club after a breakout stint in Arlington last season that saw him hit .293 in 33 games.

Beyond that, Matt Duffy could qualify as an addition although one on a minor league deal. The 29-year old was brought in for infield insurance with an ability to play all over the dirt. A career .282 hitter, Duffy posted a 2.5 fWAR season in 2018 but injuries have hindered him. He hasn’t played second at the big league level since 2015 but with his abilities, could be an emergency option if needed.

Top Second Base Prospects

The middle infield is stocked with quality players in the minor league system which adds some confidence that the long-term future at the position is solid even if Rougned Odor continues to struggle. Even some of the shortstops in the Rangers minor league system could end up moving to second base before they hit the big leagues adding even more depth.

Nick Solak: #5 in MLB Pipeline 2020 Top 10 Second Basemen

Mentioned already in this preview, Nick Solak is probably the player most in line to give Rougned Odor a push for the starting spot this season. A talented hitter, Solak’s bat has carried him through the minors and made him a quick fan favorite after he hit .293 with an .884 OPS in 33 games with the Rangers last year. The big question mark for Solak is defense and because of that, Texas is working him at numerous spots this offseason. Expect to see him work at second, both corner infield spots and possibly center field during the 2020 season.

Eli White: Unranked in MLB Pipeline 2019 Top 30 Rangers’ Prospects

Eli White should be playing in the big leagues soon due in large part to his athleticism. The 25-year old was left off the 40-man roster this offseason despite being Rule 5 eligible, but after being passed over, he remains with the club. The knock on White when evaluating his long-term value is whether or not he can hit enough to warrant an everyday spot. Still, his ability to play second, short, third and center field is an asset that puts his floor potential in the range of a solid utility player. He could factor in this season especially if Texas makes any significant roster moves in the next few weeks.

Andy Ibanez: Unranked in MLB Pipeline 2019 Top 30 Rangers’ Prospects

Ibanez falls into a similar category as White, a player who projects as a utility-man at the big league level rather than a definite everyday starter. He’ll turn 27 in early-April which limits his long-term value. Still, his ability to play multiple infield positions could make him an asset at the Major League level and he helped his case by hitting .300 with an .871 OPS in his second straight season at the Triple-A level. He also hit 20 home runs and any flashes of power will carry value at the big league level. Still, because of White’s ability to play shortstop and center field, he might find himself down a notch on the pecking order.

Yonny Hernandez: Unranked in MLB Pipeline’s 2019 Top 30 Rangers’ Prospects

Yonny Hernandez is another player making his case to be a big league utility-man in the future. A switch-hitter, Hernandez split time between High-A and Double-A last season with some impressive results. Combined, he played in 122 games with a .289 average and .744 OPS. He’s worked at second, short and left field in the minors so far which adds value to a player who lacks upside at the plate. His 5’9″, 140 pound frame won’t generate much power but in the future, he could be a player who gets regular time as a fill-in at multiple spots.

Other Second Base Prospects: Diosbel Arias (Down East), Cody Freeman (AZL Rangers), Luisangel Acuna (DOSL Rangers)

2020 Outlook

At this point in time, all indications are that Rougned Odor will start the season as the Texas Rangers Opening Day second baseman. Despite struggles throughout the past few years, Texas is still hoping that he can regain the value that led to the club handing him a six-year, $49.5 million extension. The talent is obviously there and it’s rare to find a second baseman with 30-plus home run power. However, the constant ups and downs have wore thin the patience of many Rangers’ fans. Last season, the Rangers stuck with Odor and it started to pay off late with him hitting .261 with a .985 OPS and nine homers in the month of September.

However, unless Odor can show that September wasn’t a fluke, his time as an everyday player may come to a quick end. The Rangers finally have a viable alternative to Odor at second base in Nick Solak, one who has hit well in a small sample size at the Major League level. While the Rangers saw more value in trying to guide Odor out of his struggles in 2019, the club is intending on taking a step forward competitively in 2020 and last year’s performances won’t be accepted.

Second base has the potential to be a make or break position for Texas next year. The offensive talent is there as is Odor’s spotty defensive ability. If he can right the ship, he becomes one of the most important hitters in the Rangers’ lineup. However, it can quickly become a hinderance as it was last year if nobody steps up to cement their place up the middle.