Projecting the Texas Rangers’ 26-man roster halfway through spring training

Texas Rangers roster projection 2.0: Infield (6)

1B: Ronald Guzman

2B: Nick Solak

SS: Isiah Kiner-Falefa

3B: Charlie Culberson

Bench: Brock Holt, Rougned Odor

This is where things start to get interesting for the Rangers.

For starters, Ronald Guzman has vastly outplayed Nate Lowe at first base this spring. This is definitely a surprising development, as Lowe was the prohibitive favorite to land the starting job going into spring training after being acquired in an off-season trade with the Rays.

Guzman’s defensive prowess and his newfound explosive bat have stolen the show at camp, though, and I can’t help but be impressed and convinced that the Condor has earned this job for now.

I was tempted to put the hot-swinging Curtis Terry here as well, but while he’s a nice story, he’s still got some developmental strides to make. He’s not far away from factoring into these projections, though.

It’s the status quo at second base and shortstop, while Charlie Culberson has had a nice spring at the hot corner and is currently my new favorite to win that job when camp breaks.

Brock Holt and Rougned Odor head to the bench as utility players and experienced bats.

Texas Rangers roster projection 2.0: Outfield (5)

LF: David Dahl

CF: Eli White

RF: Joey Gallo

Bench: Jason Martin, Delino DeShields

Interestingly, the outfield group was the other unit that seemed pretty easy to project out ahead of Opening Day, like the catcher position.

Alas, that’s no longer the case.

Complicating this projection ever so slightly has been the lackluster spring performance of top OF prospect Leody Taveras.

His struggles, combined with the strong efforts of Eli White and Delino DeShields in camp, were enough for me to boot the Rangers’ No. 4 prospect from his perch.

In left field and right field, the childhood friends Joey Gallo and David Dahl retain easy possession of their starting statuses.

New to the fray in this projection is OF Jason Martin, who is turning heads with a good spring.

The 25-year-old Martin was signed to a minor league deal with an invite to Surprise and has impressed with the bat in limited appearances so far. He can be a useful bench piece for the Rangers going into the regular season should he continue his high level of play.

Texas Rangers roster projection 2.0: Designated Hitter (1)

DH: Andy Ibanez

Surprise, surprise!

I know what you’re probably thinking: where’s Willie Calhoun?

The answer? He’s out with a groin injury, and could find himself on the injured list by Opening Day.

The Texas Rangers will need a DH to begin the season while Calhoun is on the mend. Luckily, they don’t have to look much further than within their own talent ranks to find one.

INF Andy Ibanez is lighting it up at spring training to the tune of a 1.009 OPS in 17 at-bats.

While his defense leaves much to be desired, there’s no doubt about the 27-year-old’s ability to swing the bat.

Therefore, Ibanez seemingly has the makings of an ideal DH.

The career minor leaguer has earned this opportunity, and with Calhoun’s groin injury sidelining him indefinitely, designated hitter could be the perfect spot for Andy Ibanez to step in and make his long-awaited MLB debut!

Texas Rangers roster projection 2.0: Starting Rotation (5)

1. RHP Kyle Gibson
2. RHP Mike Foltynewicz
3. RHP Kohei Arihara
4. RHP Dane Dunning
5. LHP Hyeon-jong Yang

The first four spots in this projection were quite obvious to dole out, with Kyle Gibson expected to start Opening Day.

He’ll be followed in the rotation by free agent signees Mike Foltynewicz (who is having an outstanding spring so far) and Japanese righty Kohei Arihara.

I have Dane Dunning as the Rangers’ fourth starter, also an obvious rotation candidate given his high floor.

The fifth starter’s spot was a toss-up for me, although not in terms of handedness (it was going to be a lefty occupying the slot regardless).

Both Korean southpaw Hyeon-jong Yang and teammate Taylor Hearn have had effective outings in spring training as they make their bids for the rotation.

Ultimately, I gave the edge to Yang since he has starting experience (even if internationally) that Hearn doesn’t possess at the moment. Yang also has made it clear he’d like to start, so I believe the Rangers will honor that request if he keeps pitching well.

Texas Rangers roster projection 2.0: Bullpen (7)

Closer: RHP Hunter Wood

Set-up man: RHP Jose Leclerc

Swing men: RHP Jordan Lyles, LHP Wes Benjamin, LHP Kolby Allard, RHP Brett de Geus, LHP Taylor Hearn

Out of all the positional groups in this projection, none shows more disparity between the first and second iterations than the bullpen.

You can thank the electric Jonathan Hernandez’ UCL strain for complicating matters in the bullpen.

His loss is a brutal blow to this bullpen, as his raw stuff and right arm make him the best reliever on the team.

The show must go on, though, and fortunately for the Texas Rangers, they have quality depth in the bullpen.

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At closer, righty Hunter Wood has greaty impressed at spring training, racking up strikeouts and saves with relative ease (and tremendous flow!).

Considering Wood came into camp as a non-roster invitee, his meteoric rise to closer in this projection is nothing short of incredible.

Behind Wood will be set-up man Jose Leclerc, who must once again earn his closer’s spot.

As for the swing-men, tough decisions were made. Southpaws Wes Benjamin and Kolby Allard have surpassed any expectations set for them coming into camp, and both are now deserving of opportunities in the big leagues once again.

Jordan Lyles, thought to be a rotation candidate, was recently told by Chris Woodward that he’ll be utilized in a swing-man type of role in 2021, so for the purposes of this projection, he slots into the bullpen.

RHP Brett de Geus was a Rule 5 pick by the Rangers from the Dodgers during the off-season. Rule 5 picks must remain on the active roster all year or risk being returned to the original team.

Rounding things out is LHP Taylor Hearn, who is too talented not to make this team. He could very well find himself starting at times this year, but for now, he’ll reside in the reliefs corps.