3 Up, 3 Down, and 3 Things to Watch for: Texas Rangers Spring Training Week 4

3 Down

4. Sam Huff

Sam Huff lost out to the numbers game this week as he was sent to minor league camp. He will once again start the season with Triple-A Round Rock. The Rangers have two proven catchers in Jonah Heim and Mitch Garver and want Huff to get everyday at-bats for Round Rock. Garver becomes a free agent after this season which could open a door for Huff to be on the team in 2024. He needs to do two things this season to earn a spot in 2024. First, prove he can stay healthy throughout the season. Second, increase his contact rate. He hits the ball harder than almost anyone in the minor league system, but he doesn't make enough contact. If he can increase his contact rate and stay healthy he will come up in 2024 for good.

5. Jake Odorizzi

He has been through a lot since being traded to Texas back in November. He was the first pitcher Texas acquired in the off-season when they made the trade with Atlanta for Kolby Allard. The trade was made with the thought that he would come here and be the fourth or fifth starter. The Rangers then went and signed Jacob deGrom, Andrew Heaney, and Nathan Eovaldi. Odorizzi then went from back-of-the-rotation starter to long-man in the bullpen. Spring training starts and he is dealing with arm fatigue and is not able to pitch in a game. Now he will start the season on the injured list(IL). To recap, Odorizzi went from being in the rotation, to being in the bullpen, to starting the season on the IL. There is no timetable on when he will make it back.

6. Glenn Otto

Otto has had an up-and-down camp so far. He had a three inning scoreless appearance against Colorado back on March 6th. He also had an appearance before that against San Diego where he allowed three runs in less than two innings and an appearance where he allowed six runs against Seattle in less than two innings. On Saturday he was scratched from a start against the Angels with right at tightness. He had to undergo an MRI to determine the extent of the injury. Opening Day is now nine days away it would seem likely that he will also open the season on the IL.