The Texas Rangers 2013 season did not end like any of us wanted it too, but it could have been a lot worse. I can remember seasons where the Rangers were out of the post season hunt by the All-Star break, and either Hank Blalock or Michael Young would be the only representative of the Texas team in the game. Those days are gone, and the Rangers have been competing every year since 2009.
Here are some things (in my opinion) that went right for the Rangers in 2013.
1. Jeff Baker (until the “high five incident”) – Jeff was a monster against left handed pitching in spring training and in the first half of the season, but he faded in the end and the Rangers designated him for assignment today. Baker was a good teammate and could play multiple positions, so that made him versatile and dangerous for opposing managers.
2. Pitching depth – The Rangers never had their starting five play at the same time this season, but still managed to win 91 games (thank you Astros and Angels). Part of that is due to young pitchers stepping it up and doing the job that Colby Lewis and Matt Harrison couldn’t do. Names like Justin Grimm and Nick Tepesch were guys that we did not expect to contribute this season, but the did just that.
3. Leonys Martin – Leonys had a good season and began to really secure himself as the center fielder of the future. His power numbers are still not what they need to be, but he would win the award for most improved player in the Rangers organization this season.
4. Joe Nathan – Nathan had a really great season as the Texas Rangers closer. He saved over 40 games in 2013 and proved that he is still a dominate closer. I really enjoyed watching him pitch when it counted the most, but I don’t expect to see him back in 2014.
The Rangers had some streaks where they looked completely dominate this season, but they also had stretches where they looked terrible. And that will be my next article: The Bad.
