Texas Rangers: Problem areas that need addressing going into 2022

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OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 12: Adolis Garcia #53 of the Texas Rangers bats against the Oakland Athletics in the top of the first inning at RingCentral Coliseum on September 12, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

The Texas Rangers had one of the worst records in franchise history in 2021 when the team had a record of 60-102. For their efforts, the Rangers finished with the 3rd worst record in MLB and will pick 3rd in the 2022 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft next summer.

The interesting side note is that the team finished 5th in MLB attendance. According to ESPN, the MLB attendance average for Texas was 26,052 over the 81 home game schedule.

There is plenty of work to do in order to make the Rangers competitive and the ownership group is ready to spend.

Here is a look at the problem areas that need to be addressed prior to Opening Day in 2022.

Texas Rangers problem areas: Outfield

An offseason after two-thirds of their Opening Day outfield were either traded (Joey Gallo) or released (David Dahl), there are glaring weaknesses in the outfield of the Texas Rangers.

Adolis Garcia is guaranteed a spot in the Opening Day roster in 2021. He will either play RF or CF to start the season.

The remainder of the outfield is in a state of flux. The top prospects will not be ready to start the season in Texas.

Here is a summary of the internal candidates for outfield roster spots in 2022.

Players who played in the OF in 2021

Adolis Garcia (134), Joey Gallo (83), Eli White (53), DJ Peters (48), Leody Taveras (46), David Dahl (39), Willie Calhoun (38), Jason Martin (37),

Top Prospects (6)

#9 Evan Carter (A)

#13 Trevor Hauver (A/A+)

#14 Yeison Morrobel (ROK)

#19 Aaron Zavala (ROK/A)

#21 Steele Walker (AA/AAA)

#28 Bubba Thompson (AA)

Combined Statistics

AB: 2,069
Runs: 257
Hits: 450
2B: 75
3B: 10
HR: 93
RBI: 263
SB: 43
AVG: .217

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 11: Sam Huff #74 of the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on September 11, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Texas Rangers problem areas: Catcher

Not since Pudge Rodriquez played in Texas, have the Rangers had a solid backstop on their roster. The team would be fine going with Jose Trevino and Jonah Heim. The problem is that neither Trevino or Heim are starting catchers on a playoff team. Texas is in dire need of someone to take over the #1 catching duties.

Look no further than the #5 prospect in the organization, Sam Huff. Huff injured his hamstring in Spring Training and he did not catch while playing at three levels of MILB in 2021.

After catching in the Arizona Fall League, Huff appears ready to challenge for the #1 job in Spring Training.

Here is a summary of the internal candidates for catching roster spots in 2022.

Players who played C in 2021 (Bold are Currently on 40-man Roster)

Jose Trevino (81), Jonah Heim (73), John Hicks (6), Yohel Pozo (2)

Top Prospects (2)

#5 Sam Huff (ROK/AA/AAA)

#26 David Garcia (A+)

2021 Statistics (C)

AB: 581
Runs: 51
Hits: 128
2B: 28
3B: 0
HR: 19
RBI: 69
SB: 4
AVG: .220

BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 24: Brock Holt #16 of the Texas Rangers in position during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 24, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Texas Rangers problem areas: Third Base

Third base has been a weakness since Adrian Beltre retired. The Rangers used six 3B in their starting lineups this year. They only mad 17 errors but, the group only hit for a .218 (AVG), 7 (HR), and 51 (RBI). The Texas hot corner is in desperate need of a full-time position player with high offensive upside who can also play good defensively.

Top infield prospect Josh Jung could develop into the player that is required for the hot corner. He has played parts of two minor league seasons (2019, 2021) and has made it all the way to AAA. He should be the starting 3B for the Rangers on Opening Day in 2022.

Here is a summary of the internal candidates for 3B roster spots in 2022.

Players who played 3B in 2021 (Bold are Currently on 40-Man Roster)

Charlie Culberson (57), Brock Holt (57), Yonny Hernandez (27), Andy Ibanez (10), Anderson Tejeda (5), Ryan Dorow (2)

Top Prospects (3)

#2 Josh Jung (AA/AAA)

#11 Davis Wendzel (ROK/AA/AAA)

#20 Sherten Apostel (ROK/AA/AAA)

2021 Statistics (3B)

AB: 647

Runs: 60

2B: 33

3B: 3

HR: 7

RBI: 51

SB: 24

AVG: .218

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 29: Taylor Hearn #52 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Los Angeles Angels in the top of the third inning at Globe Life Field on September 29, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Texas Rangers problem area: Starting Pitching

In 2021, the Rangers had 14 pitchers start games for them. Only three of those pitchers had more than 20 starts and of those three only Dane Dunning (25) is still with them team.

Currently, Dunning is at the top of the rotation for Texas. Other pitchers in the mix for 2022 are Kolby Allard, Taylor Hearn, Spencer Howard, Glenn Otto, and A.J. Alexy. None of these youngster are the answer to resurrecting the starting rotation.

Cole Winn is close to making a run at a job with the Rangers. Winn was the Nolan Ryan Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2021. Winn was AA pitcher of the week in May. Winn was also the starting pitcher for the AL in the 2021 MLB All-Star Futures Game.

Here is a summary of the internal candidates for the starting rotation in 2022.

Pitchers who started games for Texas in 2021 (Bold are Currently on 40-Man Roster)

Jordan Lyles (30), Dane Dunning (25), Mike Foltynewicz (24), Kyle Gibson (19), Kolby Allard (17), Taylor Hearn (11), Kohei Arihara (10), Spencer Howard (8), Glenn Otto (6), A.J. Alexy (4), Hyeon-Jong Yang (4), Wes Benjamin (2), Drew Anderson (1), Jake Latz (1)

Top Prospects (11)

#1: Jack Leiter- RHP (Did Not Play)

#3: Cole Winn-RHP (AA/AAA)

#12: Ricky Vanasco-RHP (Did Not Play)

#15: Ronny Henriquez-RHP (A+/AA)

#22: A.J. Alexy-RHP (AA/AAA/MLB)

#23: Yerry Rodriguez-RHP (AA/AAA)

#24: Glenn Otto-RHP (AA/AAA/MLB)

#25: Tekoah Roby-RHP (A)

#27: Cody Bradford-LHP (A+/AA)

#29: Owen White-RHP (ROK/A)

#30: Avery Weems-LHP (A+)

The emergence of Nathaniel Lowe. dark. Next

Final Thoughts

As free agency approaches, look for the Rangers to inquire and possibly sign some players that will help speed up the rebuild. Free Agency begins the day after the conclusion of the World Series. All teams have a five day window to negotiate with their own free agents. Free agents can begin to sign with a new team five days after the World Series ends.

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