There are a few writers and pundits out there who are looking at the 2023 roster. I thought here we would take a look at the 2022 roster and what it could hold for a rebuilding team. Will free agency come into play? Who will get their chances and who will not? We will try to break it down in our way to early prediction.
Position Players
Remember this is opening day, not all season. As we have been looking at the minors all season, I am going to give you my best guesses of who will make the opening day roster for the Texas Rangers.
Catcher – Jonah Heim. Heim is playing his way into the primary catcher role on this team. This is not a hot take for anyone who have been watching the team lately. I’m not saying Jose Trevino will not basically split time with Heim, but I think Jonah will be the opening day catcher. At some point in the season you will see Yohel Pozo with the Rangers. I can almost guarantee it.
First Base – Sam Huff. Nothing against Nathaniel Lowe, but I think the Rangers are planning on moving Huff to first base and I think he is going to be the guy going forward. I am less confident about this pick. The Rangers may choose more time to develop him before bringing him up, but my personal opinion is that he will be here opening day. Ronald Guzman was already in doubt. The Rangers were trying him out in the outfield already. I think Huff will be the guy.
Second Base – Nick Solak. I know that some of you will disagree with this one. The Rangers are not ready to give up on Solak in my opinion. I believe they still see him as the second baseman of the future. How he finishes this season will tell us a lot, but I think he gets the opening day nod over Ibanez. He is doing well at AAA right now and I think he will have his mind right when he is called back up.
Short Stop – Isiah Kiner-Falefa. It appears to me that a lot of people are giving up on IKF. He is not on a lot of lists that I see for the Rangers future as the starter. Already a gold glove winner at third, he has a chance to win another one this season at short. He is turning into a nice leadoff hitter. The Rangers could hit the free agent market for this position, but the track record I’ve seen says they will not.
Third Base – Josh Jung. Jung will get called up to the Express at some point in the 2021 season. I think the Rangers will want to see what he can do with a full season at the majors before they decide if he is the guy. Brock Holt and Charlie Culberson will both be gone after the 2021 season. Jung will be the guy. He is showing power and defensive prowess at Frisco this season. The Ranger have to like what they are seeing from him.
Right Field – Adolis Garcia. Garcia has alredy shown in his short stint since the trade of Joey Gallo that he is a above average right fielder. He will be the American League rookie of the year. Something drastic would have to happen for him not to be. I think he will be there to start the season.
Center Field – Leody Taveras. Now Taveras looked lost at the beginning of the 2021 season. He was sent down to AAA ball and still had trouble there. He has sorted it out of late. I think the Rangers want to know if he is the centerfielder of the future. Staring him at center to begin the season is a great way to find out if he will be. Taveras will get the nod at center field.
Left Field – Eli White. This one was difficult for me. D.J. Peters, Jason Martin, Steele Walker, J.P. Martinez and Bubba Thompson all crossed my mind while thinking about right field. I happen to believe that White has shown since his latest callup that he is ready to be an everyday player for this club. I am not saying he is going to be the everyday left fielder, but I think he will start there day 1.
Designated Hitter – Willie Calhoun. The Rangers are going to have Willie DH. If he can remain healthy through spring training. I am not sure on this one either. The Rangers may be drawing close to the end of the Willie Calhoun experiment. Only time will tell, but I still think he gets the opening day not at DH.
Bench Players –
Nathanial Lowe
Andy Ibanez
Ronald Guzman
Jose Trevino
