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Pitchers and catchers report in less than a week so I thought we would start doing some stories on 2011 Spring Training. I wanted to start with the guys that are invited to Spring Training but not promised a spot on the team, kind of introduce some of you to these guys and clue you all in to the ones who have a chance to be with the team out of spring training or the ones who have a chance to make the team at some point in the 2011 season. There are some names on this list that you have heard and some names on the list that you have not heard, and I hope you find my commentary both educational and entertaining.
We begin with the pitchers (since everyone always seems to lead with pitching). Here is the list of pitchers who are going as non roster invitees and then some comments about some of them (by the way, I got the list on the Texas Rangers Website, fyi).
1. Zack Johnson
2. Seth McClung
3. Cody Eppley
4. Ryan Tucker
5. Dave Bush
6. Tanner Scheppers
Dave Bush is the newest addition to the Ranger pitching staff, and he has some history with Mike Maddox (Rangers pitching coach) from Maddox’s time in Milwaukee. Bush has had 56 career wins and has a career ERA of 4.66. He had a down year with the Brewers last season and the Rangers hare hoping with his connection with Maddox he will improve off of those numbers this season under his instruction again. If he can put together a great spring training, he could not only win a spot on the team, he could be the 5th starter for the Rangers. The odds are low, but remember, CJ was not supposed to be a starter last season and look what happened to him! If I were you, I would not count Bush out for a job on the starting rotation.
Tanner Scheppers has been a highly touted Ranger prospect since he was brought into the orgainzation, and that has not changed. He had a really good season in 2010, and he has a shot to make the team in 2011. He has no major league experience up to this point, so I do not think he will make the team straight out of camp, but I think he has a good chance of being on the team at some point during the season. Look for him to have a good spring training but start his year on the Round Rock Express roster.
No one in the rest of the group of pitchers really stands out to me as guys who will start with the Rangers, but we will get to see them in spring training and learn a little more about them. Next I will cover the fielders.
