Rangers 2025 Opening Day roster projections 2.0: Top prospects want roster spot

Only two weeks remain until the Texas Rangers kick off the 2025 regular season against Boston. We are back with another set of roster projections but this time at least there are a few weeks of games to give us a better outlook on our choices.

Hopefully are 2.0 version is better than our first set of roster projections ahead of spring training back in February.

Projecting the Rangers' 2025 Opening Day roster

The core is there but we might be in for some giant surprises as non-roster invitees and a handful of minor leaguers are making the decision tough for Bruce Bochy and his coaching staff. It will likely be a non-roster invitee that will make the team but the organization's top two pitching prospects are right there for the consideration as well.

Rangers Opening Day position players

• Catchers: Jonah Heim, Kyle Higashioka

• First Base: Jake Burger

• Second Base: Marcus Semien

• Third Base: Josh Jung

• Outfielders: Evan Carter, Adolis Garcia, Wyatt Langford

• Designated Hitter: Joc Pederson

• Bench: Alejandro Osuna, Kevin Pillar, Josh Smith, Leody Taveras

This is a bit of a mix up from our version last month. While the core of everyday starters remains the same we have a change in which players Texas will carry on the bench. It begins with the addition of the team's No. 8 prospect in Osuna that has been absolutely dominating in spring training. We also decided to put Pillar on the list as his ability to hit left-handed pitching is something that Bochy won't be able to look past. At this point in spring, both are more deserving of an opportunity with the big league club over Ezequiel Duran, who will likely start the season in Triple-A Round Rock.

Other than that I decided to take out my previous choice of carrying a third catcher, mostly because there hasn't been enough movement from that front in camp and there's a handful of relievers that can help make an immediate impact.

Rangers Opening Day rotation

• Nathan Eovaldi, RHP

• Jon Gray, RHP

• Tyler Mahle, RHP

• Jacob deGrom, RHP

• Jack Leiter, RHP

This rotation went through it's biggest shift since spring training began in the last 24 hours with the news of Cody Bradford starting the season on the IL with elbow soreness. There are a handful of solid options to replace Bradford in the rotation but I think what Letier has shown this spring has earned him the opportunity.

Another weird aspect is the shift of deGrom to the back end of the rotation, which is a plan Texas announced last week in hopes to get him added rest to kick off the season. It is a big question whether or not deGrom would move up due to the Bradford news but I think Texas stays strong with their plans for him regardless.

Rangers Opening Day bullpen

• Shawn Armstrong, RHP

• Dane Dunning, RHP

• Robert Garcia, LHP

• Luke Jackson, RHP

• Jack Leiter, RHP

• Chris Martin, RHP (closer)

• Hoby Milner, LHP

• Jacob Webb, RHP

Leiter is back and ready to make a meaningful contribution to the Rangers' bullpen. After I left him off the first projection he decided to take that personally and he's come out this spring with a fastball that touches triple digit, a 95 mph changeup and 13 strikeouts in 10.2 innings of work.

As for the others, it all remains close to the same with the deletion of Marc Church who is likely going to lose his opportunity due to Leiter's dominance. Chris Martin will remain the team's closer with Garcia, Jackson and Webb expected to be other late-game arms for Bochy to turn to until Josh Sborz returns to action within the first couple months of the season.