What can the Texas Rangers expect from a healthy Willie Calhoun?

Willie Calhoun: A More Mature Man

The Texas Rangers have made Willie Calhoun more mature.

Willie Calhoun and the Texas Rangers didn’t exactly get their relationship started on the right foot.

Former Round Rock manager Jason Wood once asked Willie to pack up and shower after failing to run out a ground ball.

Calhoun didn’t necessarily like that response and tensions between the top prospect and his new organization began to rise rapidly.

Willie Calhoun also was left off of the 2019 Opening Day roster in favor of Hunter Pence, an eventual All-Star. When Pence hit the IL that season and Nomar Mazara’s outlandish struggles, Calhoun got the call he deserved.

However, as soon as Pence was ready, Calhoun was demoted once again. Keep in mind Willie’s numbers from 2019.

He was visibly and vocally disappointed and shocked, and rightfully so. He had outperformed Mazara by a mile, and Pence’s injury would end up being one that stuck around through the end of the season.

More from Nolan Writin'

• Framework for a potential Max Fried trade to the Texas Rangers
• Early 2023 MLB mock draft has Texas Rangers selecting an Ohtani-lite
• 3 Texas Rangers outfield trade targets not named Bryan Reynolds
• Did Jacob deGrom really mean what he said at his Texas Rangers press conference?
• Where do Texas Rangers prospects Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker stand after the DeGrom signing?

Hindsight is 20-20.

Through all that though, Willie Calhoun has grown exponentially. Not physically, but emotionally and mentally.

His thorough and consistent maturation through the demotions and injuries is one that should not go unnoticed. This is a guy labeled by inconsistency, but has shown a consistent maturation.

Now, he is a staple in the Rangers’ locker room, lineup, organization and a fan favorite. His presence in the clubhouse is needed for the younger guys looking for their opportunities.

He has struggled at the game’s highest level, dealt with unthinkable injuries and has seen the business side of the game first hand all too often, but has still tried to impress this organization.

He lost over 20 pounds, bought into the direction of the club and has made mechanical changes to make him a successful everyday big leaguer, but now it’s up to him to perform.

The Rangers know what they will get with Willie Calhoun, a mentally, emotionally and physically healthy left-handed outfielder.

He has big league power, 25-30 homers consistently. He has the ability to get on-base at a high clip and spray the baseball all over the diamond with authority. He has the presence to be a clubhouse leader and a potential face of the franchise.

The Rangers have a potential .300 hitter, a 25 homer guy that can get on-base and lead by example.

But, the keyword is potential. All potential means is that he hasn’t proved himself, yet. Now, it’s his time to  shine and solidify himself as a key piece of the next great Rangers team.