I have not done a plethora of spring training reviews so far this season, and for that I apologize. I am about to change that though. It is time to look and see who is standing out and who is being left behind for the 2013 Texas Rangers.
Pitching – Top 5
I will sort these guys by innings pitched and make a few notes about each one. (texasrangers.com)
1. Robbie Ross – Robbie has pitched the most innings of anyone in the spring so far at 11.2. He has done pretty well and I believe that he is making a push for that number five starting spot. He has started two games and relieved in two games and has an ERA of 3.86. He has however given up two home runs and four walks, which is high for just 11.2 innings pitched. But as we always say, it is just the spring so we can’t overreact to it. I believe that Robbie will probably wind up in the pen, but so far he is the leader in innings pitched.
2. Yu Darvish – Yu has pitched the second most innings of anyone and is doing the best. No surprise there. He has pitched in 8.2 innings, and he has given up only one earned run while striking out ten and walking only two. And his ERA? 1.04. He has only given up five hits as well. Yu is going to have quite a breakout season, in my humble opinion.
3. Nick Tepesch – Nick is having a pretty good spring so far. He has hurled in 8.0 innings and has posted an ERA of 2.25. He has given up seven hits but struck out eight. Tepesch has never pitched above AA level, but is making a case for himself to be the Rangers 5th starter. I believe he has a good shot to at least be in the mix till the end if not earn himself the spot. I believe that he holds his own fate in his hands depending on how he pitches from here on out.
4. Randy Wells – Randy’s chances to make this team are rapidly diminishing. In three starts, he has given up six runs ( five of them earned), two of them by home-run. His ERA is 5.36, and he has started three games and pitched 8.0 innings. He is in the running for that coveted fifth starter spot, but a few guys have the jump on him. He needs to really show he has his control back and give up fewer hits to get back on track and make the club out of the Spring.
5. Cody Burns – Cody Justin Grimm are tied at 7.1 innings each right now, and Derek Holland is at 7.0 but as we all know Derek is pitching in the World Baseball Classic right now. Justin is not having a good spring (ERA 12.27) but Burns spring is going alright. He has and ERA of 4.91 and has given up seven hits, which, if I did my math correctly, is right around a hit per inning. He has struck out five and only walked two. He is being looked at as a bull pen guy mostly.
Other Notables:
The Good:
– Michael Kirkman has not given up a run yet in 5.0 innings pitched. He has struck out six.
– Joe Ortiz and Nate Robertson have yet to give up a run in 6.0 innings pitched. Ortiz has struck out 6 while Robertson has struck out three.
The Bad:
– Matt Harrison and Joe Nathan have had bad springs (both have a 9.00 ERA), but they are not trying to make the team and we need to all remember that. They are most likely trying some new stuff and will whip into form soon. If they are still pitching bad in two weeks, we will have something to talk about.
– Evan Meek has a 12.15 ERA and will probably not make the team (although I don’t think that was the plan anyway) and Tatyama is not looking good either (9.00 ERA).
Offense: Top 5
Sorted by ERA and at least 15 at bats.
1. Jeff Baker – Jeff is making a great push to be on the big club on opening day. He has had thirty-two at bats and he is cleaning it up! He is batting .500. He has not shown any power but he sure is hitting with consistancy. I have a feeling that he may make this team.
2. Leyons Martin – Martin has had thirty at bats and he is hitting .400. He also has two triples to his name this spring. He is making the case that he should be the opening day center fielder. We will see if the brass agrees with me.
3. Mitch Moreland – Moreland is having a good spring and I hope he has a great season. This is a big season for him to prove that the Rangers were right in giving up Chris Davis to keep him. He is hitting .370 in twenty-seven at bats.
4. Jim Adduci – Jim has had twenty-two at bats and is hitting .364. His position is center field so he is not likely to make the club out of spring training, but it is always a good idea to make a good showing when at spring training, and Jim is doing just that.
5. Craig Gentry – We all know that Craig is going to make the team and he is battling with Leyons Martin to be the starting center fielder. Neither of them have a lot of power, but they are both hitting well. Craig has been up twenty-seven times and he is batting .333. I really like Craig and hope he gets a good amount of playing time this season.
Other Notables:
A.J. Pierzynski – 25 at bats, .320 average
David Murohy – 35 at bats, .314 average
Nelson Cruz – 18 at bats, .278 average
Jurikson Profar – 36 at bats, .222 average
Lance Berkman – 19 at bats, .158 average (he has walked 7 times in 19 at bats).
I will keep this up as we get closer to the start of the 2013 season. Be sure to check out our twitter and Facebook for fun questions and random facts.
