Texas Rangers: Predicting the 2022 bullpen before free agency

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.