3 Rangers that are making their closing arguments for an Opening Day roster spot

We are into the thick of spring training where players start playing deeper into ballgames and managers making tricky roster decisions ahead of Opening Day.

The Rangers are just seven days away from opening the season in Arlington against Garret Crochet and the Boston Red Sox. They have come into their own this spring and show some positive signs of what to expect in 2025, but there are especially three players that are showing why they belong alongside the group next week.

3 Rangers that are making final push to make the Texas Rangers Opening Day roster

Marc Church

It hasn't been as smooth sailing for Church this spring who has had a couple of tough outings which has caused his ERA to balloon up to where it doesn't look so pretty on his Baseball Reference page. While those two tough outings are something the team should just look past I think they aren't too focused on it.

Church, 23, is the organization's No. 23 prospect and made his MLB Debut last September in Anaheim. An 18th-round draft pick in 2019, the right-hander features a fastball that sits around 95-97 mph and a nasty slider. What gets him into trouble is his control, which caused his walk rate to rise from 7% in 2023 to 12% last year.

This spring he's appeared in seven games for the big league squad and although he's given up four runs, Church has also struck out 10 batters and only one walk. He has a good opportunity to impress down the stretch, which will likely feature at least two more appearances. He's in a good spot to make the roster but it all comes down to how the team wants to structure their pitching staff given recent injury news to a handful of crucial arms.

Patrick Murphy

I mentioned Patrick Murphy last week as a pitcher who was making the most of his spring training opportunities but I chose to include him again because he's only shown his versatility more of recent. His latest outing on Tuesday might've been the deciding factor to his fate, going 3 2/3 innings with four strikeouts and one earned run.

Murphy revitalized his career last year overseas in Japan and was signed to a minor league deal by the Rangers in December. The run he gave up on Tuesday, a solo home run, was his first given up this spring in 13 2/3 innings for a 0.66 ERA.

Bochy extending his outing a bit more this week was a good sign for the roster hopeful Murphy. Texas has suffered a handful of pitching injuries lately and they are searching for options and that will mean the shifting of the pitching staff. It could help Murphy that Bochy has now seen him find success in one inning and four inning appearances that have showcased his depth and versatility.

Kevin Pillar

As far as Pillar goes, I have no clue what else he needs to show the organization that he is a good choice to make the roster. But to add the cherry on top, Pillar decided to hit his first spring training home run on Tuesday against Cleveland.

Pillar, a 12-year MLB veteran has had a good career and while his defense has always been the strongest part of his game, he's shown flashes on the offensive side of the ball as well. This spring, Pillar is hitting .281/.342/.406 with a home run, eight RBIs and a .748 OPS. Another welcome skillset he brings to the table is his speed, stealing 12 bases last season.

He likely seems to slot in as a backup centerfielder, defensive replacement and occasional designated hitter. Which is not bad at all, every team needs that guy and I'd rather have Pillar in that role over Ezqeuiel Duran.