Predicting these fringe Rangers' chances of making 2024 Opening Day roster

With the Rangers officially one week into spring training, we are starting to get a better indication of who will most likely be on the Rangers roster come Opening Day in a few weeks. Even though we do have a better idea of who will be on the Ranger's 40-man roster, there are still several players who remain on the fringes of making the roster. How they perform for the rest of spring training will be a major factor in whether or not they make the Rangers' roster to start the season.

Which Rangers players at fringes will sneak their way onto Opening Day roster?

 Sam Huff

One of the most well-known players who remains on the fringes of making the team or starting another season in the minors is catcher Sam Huff. Huff has been with the Rangers organization since 2020, and has been called up to the Rangers several times over the past few seasons. When called up, he has done well at the plate. Last season, he finished with an .801 OPS in a small sample size, mashing three home runs through 21 games played for the Rangers.

With catchers Austin Hedges signing with the Cleveland Guardians and Mitch Garver signing with the Seattle Mariners this offseason, many fans and media members assumed these moves would open a spot for Huff to make it to the big leagues more permanently. Since spring began, though, Huff has been struggling at the plate, sporting an .083 batting average through his first six games.

With the acquisition of veteran catcher Andrew Knizner from the St. Louis Cardinals, Huff's spot on the Rangers roster is no longer a guarantee. If his offense does not improve quickly, he could end up back in Triple-A to begin the season. With Huff already 26 years old and in his final year before arbitration, this could be his last chance to find a home with the Rangers. Otherwise, he will most likely end up non-tendered when the season ends.

Matt Duffy

Another player currently fighting for a roster spot to start the season is veteran infielder Matt Duffy. The Rangers signed Duffy this offseason, hoping to add another utility man in the infield to the roster. With the emergence of Wyatt Langford and the Rangers still trying to fill the DH position, the front office will be forced to determine if Duffy is truly worth a highly coveted roster spot.

So far this spring, Duffy has not made the Rangers decision on where to send him to start the season an easy one.

Duffy has been an on-base machine so far. He currently has a .364 batting average and a .500 on-base percentage through five games. If Duffy continues to play this well through the remainder of spring training, he may give the Rangers no choice but to put him on their Opening Day roster to begin the season.