Pre-Spring Training: Pitching Part Two -

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 26: Tyson Ross #38 of the San Diego Padres pitches in the first inning during a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on August 26, 2015 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) — WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 26: Tyson Ross #38 of the San Diego Padres pitches in the first inning during a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on August 26, 2015 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

The third starter going into camp for the Rangers is going to be Martin Perez. Perez had a decent year in 2016. He posted a 10-11 record with a 4.39 ERA in 33 starts for the club. He gave up too many homeruns (18) and too many free passes (76). 2016 was his first full year back from Tommy John surgery. The left handed pitcher showed some signs of brilliance before the surgery, and some last season. He could be a really nice piece in the rotation for the Rangers if he can really become that dominate pitcher that he can be. Perez will be the Rangers number three starter.

Here is where it starts getting tricky. We still have AJ Griffin, Andrew Cashner, Tyson Ross, and more of a long shot is Chi Chi Gonzalez and Nick Martinez. The Rangers even discussed moving Matt Bush there. The question remains: who should be the fourth and fifth starters?

A.J. Griffin was 7-4 with a 5.07 ERA for the Rangers in 2016. He struck out 107 batters in 113 innings, basically a batter per inning. Griffin was good at times, and horrible at times as well. My thought on him is, he didn’t do anything to guarantee himself a spot in the rotation, but he didn’t do anything to be removed either. I believe it all depends on how Cashner and Ross perform in Spring training.

Andrew Cashner played for both San Diego and Miami in 2016. He had a combined ERA of 5.25 with a record of 5-11. The Rangers are hoping with a return to his home state, Cashner can get back to his former glory. His MLB career ERA is just 3.89. Cashner also has a foot up on the competition.

Tyson Ross did not pitch much at all last season due to recovering from thoracic outlet syndrome. Ross only pitched in one game in 2016. From 2013 until 2015, Ross had an ERA of 3.08. The Rangers are taking a chance that Ross will be that guy again, and it could turn out great for the club. If Ross can pitch anything like he did in those years, then this team will have one heck of a rotation, no matter who the fifth starter is.

I believe that it will be two of these men mentioned above. Of course, that is the fun part about spring training, you never know who is going to step up!