Texas Rangers: 3 up, 3 down, and 3 things to watch after the first week of spring training

Spring training for the Texas Rangers is now fully ramped up. It was a week that saw ace Jacob deGrom pitch his first two bullpen sessions since coming to camp with tightness in his left side. It was a week that saw the Rangers get started with spring training games.

They went 1-2 the first weekend, losing to the Royals twice, 6-5 on a walk-off home run on Friday and 10-5 Saturday with a mostly reserves lineup. Nathan Eovaldi made his spring training debut on Saturday with a perfect two innings and four strikeouts.

The Rangers picked up their first win, 13-4, on Sunday against the Cleveland Guardians. Corey Seager in that game hit his first home run of the spring and had a double as well.

Let's take a look at three players whose arrow is pointing up and three players whose arrow is pointing down right now. Then we will take a look at three things to be watching for this upcoming week.

3 UP

1. Robbie Grossman

Grossman was the last significant signing for the Rangers this winter. He was added just before camp got underway. That has not stopped him at all from getting off to a solid start in these first weekend. He hit a 2-run home run on Friday off of Daniel Lynch. He hit that batting right-handed. Then on Sunday he had an RBI-single batting left-handed, as well as two walks. The Rangers do not need Grossman to be great, but if he can be good that would be a huge boost to their lineup compared to 2022 when they had the worst left-field production in all of Major League Baseball.

2. Justin Foscue

The 2020 first-round pick has gotten off to a solid start this spring. He has now played in three games and has hit two home runs, has three hits overall, and has an RBI in each game he has played. He did have an error playing 3b on Friday. He is not known as a strong defender and was playing a position that he is not as familiar with. He could position himself to be called up this season. It likely will not be at his natural position of 2b. 2023 for Foscue will be about learning how to be a more utility-type player. The bat will play at the major league level. It will be about being a good enough defender at multiple positions. That is likely his route to playing in a Rangers uniform in 2023 and beyond.

3. Nathan Eovaldi

He went out for his first spring start on Saturday and was absolutely filthy. He looked ready for Opening Day in his two innings. He was quick to the plate, his curveball and splitter had bite to them and he was able to strike out four batters. There is a good chance that Team USA in the World Baseball Classic will regret not taking Nathan Eovaldi for the upcoming tournament. Jacob deGrom is likely starting Opening Day, but the rotation after deGrom is not set. Eovaldi with more performances as he had on Saturday may set himself up to slide into the number two spot in the rotation.

3 Things to Look out for This Week

Jose Leclerc

Spring training games continue this week with games every day. World Baseball Classic will be getting started on March 8. I expect this will be the last full week that Jose Leclerc, Martin Perez, and prospect Mitch Bratt will be in camp. Martin Perez made his first start on Monday. He went three innings, giving up three hits, one run, and a strikeout. He became the first starter to be stretched out to the third inning.

He might get one more start later this week in a Rangers uniform before reporting to play with Team Venezuela. Jose Leclerc pitched today as well. Leclerc will probably make a couple more appearances before reporting to Team Dominican Republic. Prospect Mitch Bratt is in minor league camp and he will be reporting to Team Canada next week as they get started as well. Keep an eye out for Perez and Leclerc this week as they will be gearing up for the WBC coming up next week.

Kyle Cody

The next player to be watching for this week is right-hander Kyle Cody. He is fully healthy for the first time since the 2021 season. He made his Spring Training debut on Saturday and looked really sharp in the scoreless inning that he threw. The stuff looked good and he was able to pitch a perfect 7th inning. He has an uphill climb to make the team out of camp. He is in competition with several players, both veterans, and prospects alike. He is someone who could make the team. The bullpen likely has two spots that are up for grabs. I am going to keep an eye on Cody this week to see if he can follow up on his strong inning on Saturday and continue to build momentum this week.

Kumar Rocker

The final player to be watching for this week is Kumar Rocker. He has generated a lot of buzz so far in camp from young players and veterans alike. He is apparently now throwing a 97mph sinker. He has yet to throw in a game, but is scheduled to pitch in Tuesday's game against the Colorado Rockies. He pitched last fall in the Arizona Fall League. He was inconsistent with his control and his velocity was not quite what it was at Vanderbilt. He is seemingly back now healthy this Spring and ready to take on all challengers. He told Jon Heyman of the New York Post,

Everything’s back to normal,” he said. “So now it’s all about executing a pitch.”

He will get to do that in a game this afternoon. Who knows how many chances he will get in the major league camp. It could just be today and then he gets sent down to minor league camp. He could pitch well and earn himself more opportunities. It will be very interesting to see how he fares against other major league batters.