3 dark horse candidates to make the Rangers' Opening Day roster

The Texas Rangers have played five Cactus League games this spring and while results of games won't matter until Opening Day later in March, these are still valuable opportunities to get a glimpse of what to expect this year.

Numbers are easy to overreact to early on, either because we were starved of baseball for a few long winter months or we just don't understand it takes time. Don't overanalyze Corey Seager being hitless in six plate appearances or Nathan Eovaldi's 13.50 ERA.

What we can view into are these below players that are not shoo-ins to break camp with Texas but could be considered dark horse candidates. That means with their performance in spring training games, they could earn themselves a roster spot when the Rangers start the year in Philadelphia on March 28.

3 dark horse candidates to make Opening Day roster with the Texas Rangers

Carter Baulmer, RHP

Acquired in the Rule 5 Draft this past December, the right-hander has been turning heads in the first handful of games this spring. His first two appearances have each been scoreless innings of work, including a pair of big strikeouts of Ketel Marte and Alek Thomas on Monday. A former fifth round pick by Baltimore, the 24-year-old is yet to pitch above the Double-A level but a solid spring would get him a Opening Day roster spot in the Rangers' bullpen.

Mark Canha, OF

One of the latest signings by Texas, Canha is a former Athletic, Tiger, Met, Giant and Royal with 11 big league seasons under his belt and a history of being in the same locker room as new Rangers' outfielder Brandon Nimmo. His versatility as an outfielder mixed with his experience at first base and DH makes him a great veteran bench threat for Texas. In two spring games, he's 1-for-5 with that one hit being a single.

Tyler Wade, INF

Wade was brought into Texas in December on a minor league deal to compete for a similar role as Canha. Most recently he spent two seasons with the San Diego Padres making appearances at second, third, short, all three outfield spots and DH. He's off to a hot start this spring, which bodes well for his chances to grab a bench spot on Opening Day. Playing in three of the Rangers' five games this spring, he's 4-for-six with three runs, one double, one walk and a 1.548 OPS.