Texas Rangers positional battle review: Who takes center field?

Leody Taveras’ struggles and the emergence of Eli White, Jason Martin and others has made the center field competition more pronounced than we thought.

Leody Taveras emerged as the Texas Rangers‘ center fielder of the future last season, but his early struggles this season have many concerned.

Although his early struggles aren’t indicative of how talented he is and how high his potential is, they do remain a concern for the Texas Rangers.

Of late, Taveras has come around and has been putting together quality at-bats, much like we saw last season, but is that enough for him to crack the Opening Day roster?

I believe so, but not without a fight.

Among the Rangers’ outfielders not named Joey Gallo, Eli White is having an incredible spring. He is forcing his way into an Opening Day roster spot.

Both Taveras and White are rookies, and for a club defined by competition, this is what they wanted to see from their young players:

“That’s a part of the game that I love. Competition brings out the best if it’s done right, if it’s a healthy competition. Leody and Eli are pretty good friends. They’re not cutting each other’s throat to win the job. It’s just like a, ‘May the best man win,’ kind of thing. So I think it’s good to push our younger guys. We have a lot of guys competing for spots right now, and I think it’s really good for them.” – Chris Woodward

Chris Woodward has liked the competitiveness he’s seen from both Taveras and White, leading us to believe this position is far from being won by one guy.

With the competition in full swing, we begin to look at each player’s case for the Opening Day bid, including some surprise candidates.

We begin the positional battle breakdown with the man in question.

Texas Rangers Center Field battle: Leody Taveras

There may not be a bigger Leody Taveras fan than myself, but even I have concerns about the 22-year old centerfielder’s ability to play everyday right now.

He did an incredible job last season as the Rangers’ leadoff hitter and everyday centerfielder, but he is still only 22.

His youth and inexperience against higher levels of pitching in the minor leagues concerns me, but he has shown the ability to work counts, put the ball in play and saw a jump in his power numbers.

Taveras’ skill-set is one in which any team would love to have roaming center, and the Texas Rangers have him for a long time.

Yes, he has struggled early this spring and looked pretty bad during his first few outings, but as he’s gotten his timing down, he’s began working good hitter’s counts and putting the ball in play.

I’m concerned, but not worried about Taveras’ long term value and believe he is their centerfielder of the future.

According to Taveras, he’s not worried about his slow start or feeling outside pressure:

“No. I don’t focus on that kind of stuff. I just focus on my job and the things I need to work on.”

If Taveras makes the Opening Day roster, he may not be utilized as the leadoff hitter right away to alleviate some of that pressure. We may see him batting ninth to begin the season.

I believe he is the Rangers’ long term solution there.

If the Texas Rangers believe he may need a little more seasoning, he could give way to a fellow rookie who has hit the cover off of the ball.

Texas Rangers Center Field battle: Delino DeShields

After being dealt to Cleveland for Corey Kluber last season, DeShields came back to the Texas Rangers’ organization this season on a minor league deal.

DeShields has been a mainstay in the Texas lineup since he was taken in the Rule 5 Draft in 2015, but has struggled to find any consistency at the big league level.

If Texas feels like both White and Taveras need more time in the minors, Delino DeShields would be next in line to take over center field.

He’s had a quiet, but decent spring for the Rangers in 2021, hitting .286 in 14 at-bats with four hits and two runs scored.

We know that DeShields is one of the fastest players in the game, but his speed alone won’t keep him in the big leagues.

If he can get hot during the last two weeks of spring training, the veteran and fan favorite has an opportunity to not only make the team, but retake his starting role from two of the organization’s top prospects.

Lastly, if any of these guys fail to pan out, then the Rangers could look to another minor league signing who came from the Pittsburgh organization.

Texas Rangers Center Field battle: Jason Martin

Jason Martin signed a minor league pact with the Texas Rangers earlier this offseason, and has put on one of the greatest spring training shows to date.

So far this spring, Martin is hitting .455 with two long balls and four driven-in over 11 at-bats.

In a small sample size, Jason Martin has been one of the most productive outfielders that the Rangers have had in camp.

Even if he doesn’t make the starting nine, Martin is still burnishing his case to be on the Opening Day roster.

Still just 25-years old, Martin has had two seasons in the major leagues, both with Pittsburgh.

He’s a career .200 hitter in the major leagues over 27 games, with two doubles, two RBIs and six walks.

He could be a useful fourth outfielder for the Rangers, and fight for playing time and a potential starting role if any of the outfielders ahead of him go down.

If he continues to play well, there is no doubt he’ll see some big league action this season.

Final Thoughts

The Texas Rangers have a new positional battle on their hands.

The centerfield competition became more noticeable with the emergence of Jason Martin and Eli White.

For Leody Taveras, he still has the upper-hand in the competition with his skillset and small sample-size of big league experience, but any slipup and he could see more time in the minors.

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Eli White is forcing the issue when it comes to giving him playing time, and the Rangers firmly believe he could be an everyday outfielder.

As for Martin and DeShields, I believe they are competing for the fourth outfield spot on the Opening Day roster, but with good at-bats, they could see increased playing time early in the season.

Bubba Thompson has also been considered here, but is looking to rebound more this season in the minors than make it to the major leagues.

If Thompson stays healthy and finds a consistent swing, he could factor into the Rangers’ plans more next season.

With two weeks left this spring, anything can happen, but it should come down to Taveras and White.

I believe that Leody Taveras will keep his starting role to begin the season, but as soon as he begins to struggle, Eli White’s name will be called upon.