Projecting the 2022 Roster 1.0

Big League camp is set to begin tomorrow, which seems like a great time for projecting the roster 1.0. The roster will be in flux until the season starts.

The team has already made a couple of moves so I felt like it was time to begin. Sit back and enjoy how wrong this projection will be.

Starting Rotation

1. Jon Gray – The Rangers may choose to go a different direction, but I still believe Gray will get the opening day nod in Toronto. It may have been different if they were starting at home (like they were supposed to).

2. Dane Dunning – Dane earned his spot and I believe he gets the ball on day 2. Look for him to be on a pitch count early in the season because of the shortened spring training.

3. Martin Perez – The only reason I went with Perez over Taylor Hearn is I think the Rangers will start Hearn for the home opener. Perez is a former Ranger who should be able to eat some innings in 2022.

4. Taylor Hearn – Right now I believe that Taylor goes against the Rockies for the home opener. He earned it with his great 2021.

5. Glen Otto – Here is where it gets tricky. I had to decide between Kolby Allard, Otto, Spencer Howard, A.J. Alexy, or another minor leaguer like Jake Latz. I think all of them get their chance in 2022, but I have Otto (for now) slated in this spot.

Bullpen

CL – Joe Barlow – Barlow will be the closer for the opening team, but he could be replaced later in the season with the return of Jose LeClerc and Jonathan Hernandez.

Dennis Santana – he was a good pickup for the Rangers in 2021 and I expect big things from him in 2022. End of the game setup guy that has great stuff and a good mindset.

Josh Sborz – I was high on Sborz in 2021 and I’m high on him again. I think Sborz is a nice bullpen arm that will service the Rangers well in 2022. Look for him to play a key role.

John King – King had an injury which kept him from being traded to the Yankees. I think that is a good thing for the Rangers.

King has a good live arm and should be a staple in the Rangers bullpen, unless they try to make him a starter (please don’t).

Brett Martin – With a 3.18 ERA in 2021, there is not much to dislike about the 26 year old reliever. He should be a mainstay in the pen.

Spencer Patton – He had a 3.83 ERA in 2021 for the Texas team. Patton should be a good middle reliever for the Rangers in 2022.

Nick Snyder – Only appearing in 4 games for the Rangers in 2021 does not hurt his chances. I think the team wants to see what they have in him going forward. He has a lot of upside for sure.