3 Texas Rangers who absolutely must come through in 2022

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Sep 29, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers center fielder Leody Taveras (3) runs past second base against the Los Angeles Angels during the fourth inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports /

Leody Taveras

Leody Taveras needs to show he can be the Texas Rangers’ long-term center fielder

Leody Taveras, professional baseball player and certified Call of Duty assassin.

All jokes aside, this is a really important season for Taveras, who can prove that he’s the center fielder of the future for the Texas Rangers.

We’ve been waiting for that emergence ever since his 2020 debut that saw him burst out of the gate to look like a franchise cornerstone. But it hasn’t come yet.

After winning a roster spot out of spring training in 2021, Taveras struggled badly and ended up spending a large portion of the season in the minors before being re-called late.

Taveras has the raw tools and potential to reach a Byron Buxton-type of level as a player. He’s that dynamic with his bat, speed and glove. The knock on Buxton, of course, is his health. The knock on Taveras is his inability to tap into that talent well, much like Spencer Howard.

If the 23-year-old can kick into high gear with an opportunity in 2022, it would go a long way towards solving the Texas Rangers’ outfield woes. Otherwise, he’s running out of time to figure it out, in Arlington at least.

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