As the season quickly approaches, most battles are finished and guys are not just getting ready to start the season. With that in mind, I thought I would take a look at who will be in the bull pen for the Rangers in 2017 as of now. The Rangers have put together a pretty good looking bullpen this spring and it should be a strength going into the 2017 season. Here is what it looks like as of now.
Closer: Sam Dyson – Sam was gone for most of the spring because he pitched in the World Baseball Classic and won with team USA. Dyson threw six innings for team USA in the Classic with and ERA of 0.00 and four strikeouts. He was dominate for Team USA and should do a great job in 2017 as the Rangers closer.
Alex Claudio – Another World Baseball Classic pitcher, this time for second place Puerto Rico, Claudio had a 0.00 ERA in 3.1 innings pitched. The Rangers may have wanted more innings out of him, but he pitched really well in the classic. He will be used as a late inning guy for the Rangers in 2017.
Jeremy Jeffress – Jeffress had no ERA in seven innings in cactus league play this spring. Jeffress is a guy who was a closer with the Brewers so I can only imagine he will also be a late inning guy and the closer if something were to happen to Dyson. Jeffress had his personal issues in 2016, but he seems to be over that and ready to move forward into 2017.
Tony Barnette – Barnette posted a 9.82 ERA in the spring. He pitched in 3.2 innings so far and has given up four earned runs. Opponents are hitting .313 against him. I still think that he will be fine and make the bullpen. He was great last season and he has barely pitched this spring. I look for Barnette to be a middle of the pack kind of reliever.
Keone Kela – Kela is a staple in the bull pen and has done a really good job over the last few seasons for the Rangers. I expect Kela to be roving pitcher, going into a game whenever Jeff Bannister feels the need to use him. Kela had a 6.09 ERA in 2016, but I am not worried about him after he came off an injury. I expect him to be great in 2017.
Tanner Scheppers – Scheppers is another interesting case for the Rangers. I see him being used for long relief, since he was once the Rangers opening day starter. He has posted an ERA of 3.52 this spring. In 2016 Scheppers had a 4.15 ERA in only ten games appeared in.
Matt Bush – Matt is a great story and I hope he continues to be so. He was out of baseball and in jail a few years ago, but he seems to have recovered well and he was a great asset for the Rangers in 2019. Matt posted a 0.00 ERA this spring and he should be great in any situation for Texas in 2017.
Dario Alvarez – With a 0.87 ERA this spring, Alvarez has probably secured a bull pen spot going into 2017. The Rangers got him last season from the Braves and he spent most of his time in the minors. Look for him to have a much bigger role in the pen for the Rangers in 2017.
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