Texas Rangers: Predicting the 2022 bullpen before free agency

Injuries to key relief pitchers Jose Leclerc and Jonathan Hernandez opened the door for younger pitchers to show how they could fit into the Texas Rangers bullpen in 2021. And a lot of them made the most of their chances.

Stalwarts Jose Leclerc and Jonathan Hernandez both had Tommy John surgery and will not be ready for Opening Day in 2022, leaving many of these players a second chance to prove themselves once again.

Here are the Texas Rangers internal possibilities for the bullpen prior to the start of free agency.

Predicting the Texas Rangers’ 2022 bullpen

Joe Barlow

• Draft: 11th Round, 339th Overall, 2016 by Texas Rangers
• Age: 26
• 2021 Appearances: 31
• MLB 2021 Record: 0-2
• IP: 29.0
• ERA: 1.55
• SV: 11

Joe Barlow is a homegrown pitcher drafted by the Rangers.  In June, Barlow made his MLB debut and didn’t disappoint.  He only allowed 12 hits in 29.0 innings and was 11/12 in save opportunities after Ian Kennedy was traded to the Phillies.  Barlow looks like he has solidified his place in the Texas bullpen.

Brett Martin

• Draft: 4th Round, 126th Overall, 2014 by Texas Rangers
• Age: 26
• 2021 Appearances: 66
• MLB 2021 Record: 4-4
• IP: 62.1
• ERA: 3.18
• SV: 0

Brett Martin is another homegrown pitcher drafted by the Rangers.  Martin just completed his third season in the majors.  When he is healthy, Martin is a very good left-handed option out of the bullpen for Texas, though he does struggle with command.

Drew Anderson

• Draft: 21st Round, 668th Overall, 2012 by Philadelphia Phillies
• Age: 27
• 2021 Appearances: 9
• MLB 2021 Record: 1-1
• IP: 22.0
• ERA: 3.27
• SV: 0

Drew Anderson made his MLB debut in 2017, pitching for Philadelphia.  Prior to the start of the 2021 season, Anderson was signed by Texas as a free agent.  He has pitched in parts of five seasons in the MLB and brings experience as well as innings to an inexperienced bullpen. He’s also capable of being an opener.

Jharel Cotton

• Draft: 20th Round, 626th Overall, 2012 by Los Angeles Dodgers
• Age: 29
• 2021 Appearances: 23
• MLB 2021 Record: 2-0
• IP: 30.2
• ERA: 3.52
• SV: 0

Prior to Spring Training 2021, Jharel Cotton signed a minor league free agent contract with Texas.  In 2016 and 2017, Cotton started 29 games for the Oakland A’s.  After successful Tommy John surgery, Cotton returned to pitching as a reliever.  In September 2020, the Chicago Cubs released Cotton before he ever pitched a big league game for them.  Moving forward, Cotton adds a wealth of experience to the Rangers bullpen.

Spencer Patton

• Draft: 24th Round, 726th Overall, 2011 by Kansas City Royals
• Age: 33
• 2021 Appearances: 42
• MLB 2021 Record: 2-2
• IP: 42.1
• ERA: 3.83
• SV: 2

In 2014, Spencer Patton was traded by Kansa City to the Rangers for Jason Frasor.  In September 2014, after September rosters expanded, Patton made his MLB debut with Texas.  In November 2015, Patton was traded to the Chicago Cubs and he was a member of the 2016 World Championship team in Chicago.  In 2017, Patton signed to play in Japan and completed four seasons there before re-signing with Texas as a free agent.  Patton’s experience and success at the major league level is beneficial to the Texas bullpen.

Josh Sborz

• Draft: CB-B, 74th Overall, 2015 by Los Angeles Dodgers
• Age: 27
• 2021 Appearances: 63
• MLB 2021 Record: 4-3
• IP: 59.0
• ERA: 3.97
• SV: 1

Josh Sborz made his MLB debut in 2019 with the Los Angeles Dodgers.  In February 2021, Sborz was traded by the Dodgers to the Rangers.  Sborz was fairly consistent throughout 2021 and should be in the Rangers bullpen to start 2022.

Dennis Santana

• Age: 25
• 2021 Appearances: 55
• MLB 2021 Record: 2-4
• IP: 54.2
• ERA: 4.28
• SV: 0

In 2018, Dennis Santana also made his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers.  For parts of four seasons, Santana was inconsistent with the Dodgers.  In June 2021, Santana was traded to the Rangers.  Santana was fairly consistent during his 1/2 season with Texas.  In September, Santana was terrific when he posted a 0.75 ERA.  Moving forward, Santana should be in the bullpen for the Rangers in 2022.

Texas Rangers 2022 bullpen: IL Candidates

Kyle Cody

• Draft: 6th Round, 189th Overall, 2016 by Texas Rangers
• Age: 27
• 2021 Appearances: 7
• MLB 2021 Record: 0-2
• IP: 11.1
• ERA: 7.94
• SV: 0

Kyle Cody was exceptional when he started five games for the Rangers in 2020.  Shoulder inflammation derailed most of 2021.  If Cody makes it back to the majors in 2022, it will most likely be in the Rangers bullpen.

John King

• Draft: 10th Round, 314th Overall, 2017 by Texas Rangers
• Age: 27
• 2021 Appearances: 27
• MLB 2021 Record: 7-5
• IP: 46.0
• ERA: 3.52
• SV: 0

John King made his MLB debut in September 2020 after the September rosters expanded.  Injuries to bullpen members during Spring Training allowed King to start the season with the Rangers.  In July, shoulder inflammation landed King on the 10-day, then 60-day injured list.  If King is healthy, he will be considered for a spot as a left-handed reliever in the Rangers bullpen. And he was obviously coveted, as the Yankees almost traded for him with Joey Gallo last summer before Joely Rodriguez was included instead.

Jose Leclerc

• Age: 27

Did Not Pitch in 2021

Jose Leclerc made his MLB debut in 2016 with Texas.  He had four successful seasons with the Rangers.  In July 2020, Leclerc tore his Right shoulder Muscle and was placed on the 60-day injury list.  In Spring Training, Leclerc sustained a strain to his UCL and required Tommy John surgery.  If all goes well, Leclerc could return to the Rangers at some point after the All-Star break.

Jonathan Hernandez

• Age: 25

Did Not Pitch in 2021

Hernandez was signed as a free agent prior to the 2013 season.  Hernandez moved through the Texas system quickly and made his MLB debut in August 2019.  Hernandez pitched exceptionally out of the bullpen in 2020.  A UCL injury required surgery and Hernandez did not pitch in 2021.   If all goes well, Hernandez could return to the Rangers at some point after the All-Star break.

Nick Snyder

• Draft: 19th Round, 584th Overall, 2017 by Texas Rangers
• Age: 26
• 2021 Appearances: 4
• MLB 2021 Record: 0-0
• IP: 3.2
• ERA: 4.91
• SV: 0

Nick Snyder pitched at three different minor league levels in the Rangers organization in 2021.  He made his MLB debut in August and pitched out of the bullpen for four games before Texas shut Snyder down for the year with shoulder fatigue.  If healthy, Snyder will press for a job in the Rangers bullpen in 2022.

Prediction

1. Joe Barlow
2. Brett Martin
3. Drew Anderson
4.  Jharel Cotton
5.  Spencer Patton
6.  Josh Sborz
7.  Dennis Santana
8.  Matt Bush

Final Thoughts

At this time of year, predicting the bullpen is difficult.  Injuries, free agency, trades and the Rule 5 Draft all have an impact into who will make the cut onto the Opening Day rosters of MLB teams.  As players are added and subtracted to from the Rangers 40-Man roster, I will update the state of the bullpen heading into Spring Training.