Texas Rangers: Predicting the 2022 infielders before free agency

The infield for the Texas Rangers is in good shape as all of the incumbent infielders are under the age of 30.  The addition of #2 prospect Josh Jung, will solidify the third base position for many years to come.

Here are the infielders currently in the Texas organization prior to free agency, and don’t forget to read our other roster predictions as well.

Texas Rangers Infield: Returning players

Isiah Kiner-Falefa

• Age: 26
• Draft: 4th Round, 130th Overall in 2013 by Texas Rangers
• 2021 Stats
• GP: 158
• HR: 8
• RBI: 53
• SB: 20
• AVG: .271

Isiah Kiner-Falefa just finished his 4th season playing for Texas.  After winning the Rawlings AL Gold Glove for 3B in 2020, Kiner-Falefa moved to SS and had an ever better fielding percentage, .972 in 2021.  In 392 career games, Kiner-Falefa has compiled a .265 AVG, 16 HR, 118 RBI, 38 SB.  Kiner-Falefa should have a long career in the infield for the Rangers.

Nathaniel Lowe

• Age: 26
• Draft: 13th Round, 390th Overall in 2016 by Tampa Bay Rays
• 2021 Stats
• GP: 157
• HR: 18
• RBI: 72
• SB: 8
• AVG: .264

Nathaniel Lowe was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in December 2020.  Lowe just completed his first full season in MLB.  He played two partial seasons with the Rays.  For his career, Lowe has played 228 games, and has compiled a .260 AVG, 29 HR, 102 RBI, 9 SB.  Lowe needs to continue to hit consistently if he is going to continue playing 1B with Texas.  The Rangers have several young prospects who could push Lowe for playing time in the next year or so.

Nick Solak

• Age: 26
• Draft: 2nd Round, 62nd Overall in 2016 by New York Yankees
• 2021 Stats
• GP: 127
• HR: 11
• RBI: 49
• SB: 7
• AVG: .242

Nick Solak was traded to the Rangers for Peter Fairbanks in July 2019.  Solak has been inconsistent at the plate since his arrival to the Rangers.  In July, Solak was sent down to Round Rock (AAA) where he found his swing and came back to Texas and hit .371 during nine games in August.  Solak needs to be a consistent hitter for the Rangers.  Several top prospects in the Rangers MILB system can play second base and should be pushing for playing time within the next year or so.

Texas Rangers Infield: Knocking at the door

Josh Jung

• Age: 23
• Draft: 1st Round, 8th Overall in 2019 by Texas Rangers
• 2021 Stats (2 MILB Teams)
• GP: 78
• HR: 19
• RBI: 61
• SB: 2
• AVG: .326

Josh Jung is the top position player prospect in the Rangers organization.  He had a strong showing in MILB in 2021.  Jung should make his MLB debut in 2022.  They biggest question for Rangers fans is, will Jung make the Rangers Opening Day roster?  He has only played 122 games at the MILB level, but has compiled a .322 AVG, 21 HR, 89 RBI, 6 SB.  He is without question, the Rangers 3B of the future.

Andy Ibanez

• Age: 28
• Undrafted: Cuba
• 2021 Stats
• GP: 76
• HR: 7
• RBI: 25
• SB: 0
• AVG: .277

In July 2015, Andy Ibanez signed his first free agent contract with Texas.  In parts of five MILB seasons, Ibanez has played 488 games and compiled a .288 AVG, 60 HR, 242 RBI, 30 SB.  Ibanez was called up to the Rangers in May, and after a slow start, he hit .310 in August, .357 in September and .273 in three October games.  Ibanez has always had the bat to play for Texas.  Now, the Rangers have to find a position for him so that he can be a permanent fixture on the team in 2022.

Curtis Terry

• Age: 25
• Draft: 13th Round, 378th Overall in 2015 by Texas Rangers
• 2021 Stats (AAA)
• GP: 99
• HR: 22
• RBI: 75
• SB: 3
• AVG: .275

Curtis Terry has been an excellent hitter in the MILB.  In parts of six seasons, Terry played 440 games and compiled a .287 AVG, 80 HR, 295 RBI, 9 SB.  In 2021, Terry experienced a brief audition in Texas and it didn’t go well.  In 2022, Terry needs to have an excellent Spring Training if he wants to break camp as a right-handed platoon at 1B and DH.

Texas Rangers Infield: Needs More Time

Yonny Hernandez

• Age: 23
• Undrafted: Venezuela
• 2021 Stats
• GP: 43
• HR: 0
• RBI: 6
• SB: 11
• AVG: .217

Yonny Hernandez has played parts of six seasons in the Rangers MILB organization.  In 460 games, he has compiled a .266 AVG, 4 HR, 169 RBI, 154 SB.  Hernandez was promoted to the Rangers in August and he finished the season in MLB.  Hernandez is very good defensively and can play multiple positions.  If Hernandez can hit MLB pitching, he would be an excellent utility infielder for the Rangers in 2022.

Anderson Tejeda

• Age: 23
• Undrafted: Dominican Republic
• 2021 Stats (3 MILB Teams)
• GP: 79
• HR: 12
• RBI: 33
• SB: 11
• AVG: .194

Anderson Tejeda has also played parts of six seasons in the Rangers organization.  After playing 23 games with the Rangers in 2020, Tejeda took a step back and had difficulty hitting at any level in 2021.  In 479 career games in MILB, Tejeda has compiled a .253 AVG, 57 HR, 271 RBI, 57 SB.  If Tejeda has an excellent Spring Training with the bat in 2022, he could make the Opening Day roster with the Rangers.  Tejeda is running out of time in trying to become a full-time MLB player.  Several top infield prospects will soon replace Tejeda on the depth chart and it is now or never for the once promising prospect.

Sherten Apostel

• Age: 22
• Undrafted: Curacao
• 2021 Stats (3 MILB Teams)
• GP: 68
• HR: 10
• RBI: 34
• SB: 0
• AVG: .235

Sherten Apostel was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in August 2018.  In 2021, Apostel struggled with injuries and did not play to his potential.  In 2020, the Rangers promoted Apostel and he played seven games with limited success.  In parts of five MILB seasons, Apostel played 351 games and compiled a .246 AVG, 47 HR, 186 RBI, 10 SB.  According to MLB prospect Rankings, Apostel is currently the #20 prospect in the Rangers organization.  A natural at 3B, Apostle is blocked by other top prospects and needs to have a terrific 2022 if he ever wants to play in MLB for the Rangers.