A look back at the Texas Rangers’ 2011 AL Pennant-winning team

2011 Texas Rangers Starting Lineup

The starting lineup was even more powerful in 2011.  The Rangers added perennial 3B All-Star Adrian Beltre to an already star-studded cast.  Michael Young became a super-utility player and was an All-Star for the 7th time.

The #1 catching duties were assigned to free agent veteran Yorvit Torrealba.  Torrealba played 113 games, and compiled a .273 AVG, while hitting seven HR and adding 37 RBI’s.  During the playoffs, Torrealba played seven games, had six hits in 17 AB for a .353 AVG.

Mitch Moreland became the primary first baseman and played 134 games.  Moreland hit for a .259 AVG, 16 HR and 51 RBI’s.  During the playoffs, Moreland played seven games, had three hits in 29 AB for a .103 AVG.  Moreland had one HR and one RBI in the ALCS against Detroit.

Ian Kinsler played 155 games as the primary second baseman for the Rangers.  Kinsler hit for a .255 AVG, with 32 HR, 77 RBI’s and 30 SB during the regular season.  Kinsler played all 17 games during the playoffs.  He went 20 for 65 for a .308 AVG, eight RBI’s and two SB during the post season.

Elvis Andrus played 150 games as the primary SS for the Rangers.  He hit for a .279 AVG, with five HR, 60 RBI’s and 37 SB during the regular season.  Andrus played all 17 post season games in 2011.  He collected 16 hits in 68 AB for a .235 AVG, one RBI and one SB during the playoffs.

Adrian Beltre made his second consecutive All-Star Game appearance as the AL third baseman.  In 124 games for the Rangers, Beltre hit for a .296 AVG, with 32 HR and 105 RBI’s.  In 17 playoff games, Beltre collected 19 hits in 72 AB for a .264 AVG, five HR and nine RBI’s.

Josh Hamilton was an All-Star Game selection for the 4th consecutive year.  Hamilton played LF and CF for the Rangers.  In 121 regular season games, Hamilton hit for a .298 AVG, with 25 HR, 94 RBI’s and eight SB.  In 17 post season games, Hamilton had 19 hits in 70 AB for a .271 AVG, one HR and 13 RBI’s.

David Murphy split the OF with Endy Chavez  When Murphy was in the lineup, Hamilton moved to CF.  When Hamilton was in LF, Chavez played CF.  In 120 games as the primary LF for the Rangers, Murphy hit for a .275 AVG, with 11 HR, 46 RBI’s, and 11 SB.  In 15 post season games, Murphy had 13 hits in 41 AB for a .317 AVG, three RBI’s and one SB.

Nelson Cruz was the primary RF for the Rangers.  In 124 regular season games, Cruz hit .263 with 29 HR, 87 RBI’s, and nine SB.  During 17 playoff games, Cruz won the ALCS MVP, had 14 hits in 62 AB for a .226 AVG, eight HR and 16 RBI’s.

Michael Young, being the super utility player, played 69 games at DH, 40 games at 3B, 36 games at 1B, 14 games at 2B and one game at SS.  In 159 games, Young hit for a .338 AVG, 11 HR, 106 RBI’s, and six SB. In 17 playoff games, Young collected 16 hits in 60 AB for a .267 AVG, two HR and 12 RBI’s.