How these 3 Texas Rangers are faring since their debuts

The Texas Rangers have recently fielded a team that looks mightily different than what was seen in April

The 2021 edition of the Texas Rangers are quickly moulding an identity for themselves — being the youngest team in all of baseball.

When the Rangers arrived in Cleveland to square off with the Indians on Tuesday night, manager Chris Woodward fielded the youngest roster in the league — an average age of 26 years and 290 days.

It’s a fact that the Rangers have not only embraced, but have capitalized on. To the surprise of nobody after the trades of Joey Gallo and Kyle Gibson at this year’s trade deadline, Texas has gone into full “audition mode”, as evident with the amount of youth that currently exists on the team.

It’s a sign of a team that’s rebuilding, and the Rangers’ brass has proven that they are embracing the current state of the team — that can only provide both the franchise and fans alike with a fresh, optimistic look at the club for the remainder of the 2021 campaign.

Let’s take a look at three Rangers who have been given an opportunity with the big-league club since the all-star break.

Yonny Hernández, MLB Debut with the Texas Rangers- August 5, 2021

Rangers fans’ first introduction to Yonny Hernández didn’t come after an on-field play. Instead, it came after Woodward revealed what the 23-year old’s nickname is — “The Mosquito”.

“He’s a pest on the field,” the Rangers manager said before the native of Maturin, Venezuela made his major-league debut against the Los Angeles Angels.

Since arriving to Arlington in early August, Hernández has played in 15 games. With AAA Round Rock in 2021, the infielder was an on-base machine, as evident with his .429 OBP.

The power is non-existent, but in the case of Hernández, it doesn’t need to be. Any baseball observer who values the eye-test would point out that the 23-year old has lived up to his nickname at the plate — long at-bats that frustrate the opposing pitcher.

Hernández has struck out just five times in his 58 big-league plate appearances. It’s a ratio that’s been consistent with his minor-league output.

If any given player can translate their strong minor-league production to the major-league level quickly, it’s a sign of good things to come down the road — Hernández fits into that category.

It is expected that the infielder will continue to get an extended look at the big-league level for the remainder of the 2021 campaign, and then into spring training next March.

If nothing else, the auditions on display in Arlington at the moment will result in a crowded collection of players to choose from when it’s time to name the 2022 Opening Day roster.

“The Mosquito” is bound to force his way into that conversation.

Yohel Pozo, MLB Debut with the Texas Rangers- August 13, 2021

Yohel Pozo became just the 10th player in Rangers history to hit a home run in his major-league debut on August 13 against the Oakland Athletics.

Since then, the production has been limited in a small sample size, but that doesn’t mean Woodward isn’t excited about what Texas has in the 24-year old.

That excitement is purely based on Pozo’s bat, not glove — at least for now. The catcher/designated hitter was not on the Rangers’ radar in the early goings of the season for a call-up.

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But after being Round Rock’s best hitter in AAA, Texas’ brass was forced to give the 24-year old a look at the big-league level.

There is no mincing words, though. Pozo is in Arlington to hit, and not play catcher. With a AAA slash line of .337/.350/.608, combined with 19 home runs and 63 RBI, you can’t blame anyone for owning that opinion.

In eight games with Texas since his call-up, the native of Maracaibo, Venezuela has six hits for an average of .194. His extended look at the big-league level may have to wait, due to the crowded, young Rangers roster.

Still, the intrigue with Pozo is there. The power has been on display throughout his minor-league tenure and his free-swinging attitude doesn’t seem to bother Woodward at all.

“If he gets a ball over the plate, I want to see him swing,” Woodward said prior Pozo’s first taste of big-league action.