Texas Rangers Spring Training: A team defined by uncertainty

The upcoming Texas Rangers campaign won’t be geared toward winning the World Series or reaching the postseason. It won’t be about tallying more victories than PECOTA or Caesars Sportsbook predict.

Yes, they’ll still play to win, but the organization’s primary goal starting with Spring Training is to learn its players. To determine which prospect talents can handle the big leagues and which current big leaguers hold value for future seasons.

2021 is a discovery year for Texas. They must clear up the extensive uncertainty that currently fogs their camp.

Texas Rangers spring impressions: Uncertainty surrounding their best player

The Rangers have officially reached the awkward wait, trade, or extend mark with Joey Gallo. Gallo won a Gold Glove as the team’s right fielder in 2020. He was an All-Star the year before, and he’s amassed 119 home runs in 473 games.

That is the good from Gallo, but there’s also the bad. For instance, his .181 batting average and .378 slugging percentage last season. Additionally, his 1.5 strikeouts per game and .208 batting average across his career.

You might see why Texas is having a difficult time deciding on his future.

Gallo can play his way to a contract extension during his age 27 season. If he flirts with 40 homers and 100 RBIs in the heart of a sup-par lineup, the Rangers should lock him in long-term as they hopefully turn the corner in 2023.

Whether they do extend him or opt to trade him, Texas must make a move on their most talented player’s future ahead of 2022. The longer they waver, the more challenging it will be to build a team identity moving forward.

The Texas Rangers need answers from their pitching staff

What will the Rangers gain from Japanese-league star but rookie major leaguer Kohei Arihara? Can Kyle Cody maintain his effectiveness when stretched out in his starts? Are Jose Leclerc’s best seasons behind him? Which controllable starters and relievers will make statements in 2020?

The uncertainty detector beeps most rapidly when hovering over the Rangers pitching staff. The good news is most pitching-related concerns will be answered over the next seven months.

Arihara prompts plenty of intrigue, as he had great success across six seasons in Japan. Like all international signees, he faces a significant learning curve and talent adjustment in his transition to Major League Baseball.

The Rangers will found out early on if his “stuff” translates. To their benefit, Arihara threw more innings in 2020 (132.2) than any MLB pitcher. He should be in good shape as spring games get started.

For nearly every other Rangers pitcher, the goal is to pitch well enough this season to gain favor for next season. Jonathan Hernandez and Jose Leclerc are the only relievers who have wholeheartedly earned the team’s trust. The others are battling against one another for mound time in 2021.

Only two of Texas’ projected starting pitchers have made more than 20 big league starts, so a fascinating competition is forthcoming for that group as well.