Texas Rangers Weekly Report: Limping into the All-Star Break

The photo for the article really describes how the Rangers did this week going into the All-Star Break. The Texas Rangers lost both series against the Boston Red Sox and the Washington Nationals. I'm really surprised at losing the Nationals series since they are in the bottom five of the league this year. The only good news is that the Rangers are leading the AL West going into the All-Star break for the first time since 2016. Hopefully, all the Rangers get a well-deserved break and come back refreshed.

Rangers draft Wyatt Langford

The Rangers drafted Florida Outfielder Wyatt Langford 4th overall in the MLB Draft last night. This came as a surprise as Detroit was predicted to pick him after the two LSU players got drafted back-to-back. Langford will probably play a year or two down in the minor leagues and join the Rangers in 2025. It's wonderful to imagine an outfield of Wyatt Langford, Leody Taveras, and Evan Carter.

Wyatt Langford welcome to Texas #StraightUpTX pic.twitter.com/ZTdoVcEkEa
— Kevin Gray Jr. (@KevinGraySports) July 10, 2023

Hickory Crawdads winning streak comes to an end

The Hickory Crawdads, the (High-A) affiliate of the Texas Rangers, were making some noise in High-A. They had a 15-game win streak going into last week and were considered the hottest team in the MILB. Players like Abimelec Ortiz have fueled the huge streak they were on. However, their winning streak came to an end as they lost to the Winston-Salem Dash 7-4 on July 7th. If you live in the Hickory area and haven't checked them out, go to a game in the second half of their season.

The hottest team in @MiLB 😎 pic.twitter.com/LPXIacJ78d
— Hickory Crawdads (@HickoryCrawdads) July 7, 2023

Rangers Garcia to start All-Star Game

Adolis Garcia was named as a starting outfielder this past week after Aaron Judge had to bow out due to his injury. This will make five starters for the Rangers in the All-Star game this week. This is the most starters the Rangers have ever had in the mid-summer classic. Garcia was also announced as a participant in the home run derby as well. He will be going up against Randy Arozarena in the first round. It should be a fun week for the Rangers as we celebrate the success of the franchise in the first half of the season.

Texas Rangers Weekly Report: Who's Hot

Josh Jung

Josh Jung was basically the offense for the Rangers this past week. In the last seven games, Jung finished with a .379 batting average and provided six RBIs and two home runs this week. He also had this amazing throw from third base that you can see below where he gets the runner out at first. Jung has shown in the first half of the season why the Rangers drafted him. The Rangers don't have to worry about getting a third baseman for a while as long as Jung remains with the Rangers.

Josh Jung is INSANE 😳

The call at first was overturned, confirming Jung's incredible effort at 3rd.@Rangers | #StraightUpTX pic.twitter.com/y77TVdxaGI
— Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) July 8, 2023

Cody Bradford

Cody Bradford deserves to be on top after he got his first career win as a starting pitcher this week. His win against the Nationals helped the Rangers at least get a win against the Nationals before they would eventually lose the series. He only allowed five hits and struck out one batter in five innings. He did give up a home run but I liked how it didn't phase him and he kept his cool. Hopefully, the win against the Nationals is just the beginning of more wins here in Texas.

Texas Rangers Weekly Report: Who's Not Hot

Marcus Semien

Marcus Semien was having one of those magical runs where no one could get him out and was getting on base. Unfortunately, he has come back down to earth. In 29 at-bats this past week, he only got two hits and struck out five times. He is one that desperately needs to reset at the All-Star Break because we will need him in the second half of the season if we want to make the playoffs.

Andrew Heaney

Andrew Heaney reminds me of the villain Two-Face from Batman. For those who don't know about the villain Two-Face, he flips a coin before delivering judgment on someone. For the Rangers, Heaney is like a coin flip. We will either get a bad start or a good start from him. He gave up seven earned runs against the Nationals this weekend. I'm starting to think he needs to move to the bullpen if Cody Bradford continues to get some wins.