Texas Rangers 2023 Opening Day roster predictions

DALLAS — After a 68-win season in 2022 that noticed a brand new regime take over within the entrance workplace, and the eventual union with future Hall of Fame supervisor Bruce Bochy, the Texas Rangers spent the vast majority of the offseason revamping their beginning rotation within the hopes of contending for the playoffs after a years-long rebuild.

With 72 gamers in large league camp, the Rangers may have a number of choices to make as Cactus League video games get underway starting on Feb. 24. Eventually, these 72 gamers can be whittled right down to 26 earlier than the season kicks off towards the reigning National League champion Philadelphia Phillies on March 30.

Here is a preliminary guess at which gamers will take the sector discipline for Texas on Opening Day:

Catchers (2): Mitch Garver, Jonah Heim

Jonah Heim held down the fort because the beginning catcher with a strong first half final season earlier than really fizzling out on the plate within the second half. 2022 Opening Day starter Mitch Garver was restricted to DH duties earlier than lacking the second half with arm surgical procedure.

With Garver wholesome, count on him to alleviate Heim extra usually to maintain each wholesome all through the season. Prospect Sam Huff and veteran Sandy Leon are different choices if the Rangers choose to hold three catchers.

First base (1): Nathaniel Lowe

A breakout performer for the Rangers final season, Lowe has entrenched himself because the beginning first baseman in Texas after claiming the American League’s Silver Slugger award for the place.

Second base (1): Marcus Semien

Part of the Rangers’ $500 million greenback keystone mixture, Semien began sluggish for Texas however picked it up within the second half and is predicted to be a key chief for the squad in 2023 and past.

Shortstop (1): Corey Seager

Seager’s debut season in Texas didn’t go fairly in addition to anticipated however he nonetheless mashed a career-high 33 house runs and might be certainly one of baseball’s greatest winners from the modified infield shift guidelines that always robbed him of hits in 2022.

Third base (1): Josh Jung

Top prospect and former first spherical select of Texas Tech, Jung was penciled in to be the beginning third baseman final season earlier than a spring harm value him all however the ultimate month of the season.

Now 25 years previous, and with 26 video games of massive league motion beneath his belt, the Rangers can be relying on Jung to turn into an on a regular basis contributor starting in 2023.

Outfield (4): Adolis Garcia, Leody Taveras, Robbie Grossman, Brad Miller

Garcia adopted up an All-Star look in 2021 with a steadier marketing campaign in 2022 and appears to be a strong common in proper discipline. Meanwhile, Taveras faces a do-or-die season because the on a regular basis centerfielder. After a poor second half on the plate final season, Taveras’ rope might be quick however he has the potential for a breakout marketing campaign.

Left discipline stays the largest gap on the roster with just lately added Grossman introduced in late to behave as a platoon companion for Miller. Grossman, a profession .790 OPS towards left-handed pitching, will seemingly begin towards southpaws whereas Miller, a profession .765 OPS towards righties, can be given a chance to rebound from a poor first season with Texas.

Bench (3): Bubba Thompson, Mark Mathias, Josh Smith  

Thompson may elbow his manner into extra taking part in time at each left and heart discipline and appears to be a possible weapon on the basepaths whereas offering high shelf protection as a fourth/fifth outfielder.

Mathias joined the Rangers mid-season within the commerce that despatched Matt Bush to Milwaukee and impressed as the primary bench choice who can play all throughout the diamond. Smith, in the meantime, debuted in 2022 and didn’t hit for a lot energy however the infielder-by-trade did properly defensively in his auditions within the outfield which provides him an higher hand on fellow prospect Ezequiel Duran, who simply misses the lower.

Rotation (5): Jake deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, Martin Perez, Jon Gray, Andrew Heaney

Three of those names had been added to the workers this winter with arguably baseball’s finest hurler deGrom the headliner. Strikeout artists Eovaldi and Heaney additionally be a part of the rotation, which returns Perez and Gray.

The rotation is awful with danger – with solely Perez avoiding the injured listing in current seasons. However, when wholesome, the quintet has an opportunity to be among the many highest in baseball.

Next man up will embrace veterans Jake Odorizzi, Dane Dunning, and Glenn Otto with prospects Cole Ragans, Owen White, and Jack Leiter anticipated to be knocking on the door later this summer season.

Bullpen (8): Jose Leclerc, Jonathan Hernandez, Brock Burke, Joe Barlow, Jake Odorizzi, Taylor Hearn, John King, Danny Duffy 

The Rangers wouldn’t have a bonafide, veteran nearer however Leclerc – who closed for Texas in 2018 and 2019 earlier than snatching the job from Barlow final summer season – is probably going the primary choice to take the ball within the ninth. 

Hernandez returned from harm in 2022 and turned it on within the ultimate few months to place himself as a high late-innings choice. Former beginning pitcher prospect Burke loved a breakout season in aid and might be counted on in high-leverage conditions.

Hearn bombed out in his try to hitch the rotation to begin the season however rebounded properly within the bullpen and might be a helpful left-handed choice. 

The Rangers can be hoping for bounce again seasons from Barlow and King after being strong arms throughout the 2021 marketing campaign, whereas newcomers Odorizzi and Duffy are proper and left-handed choices to pitch lengthy aid for Texas in 2023.

Other names who may declare spots within the bullpen embrace former nearer Ian Kennedy, rostered veterans Josh Sborz, Glenn Otto, and Dane Dunning, veteran non-roster invitees Zach Littell, Reyes Moronta, and Dominic Leone, and prospects Kyle Cody, Chase Lee, and Yerry Rodriguez.

Do you assume the Rangers have a roster that may contend in 2023? Share your ideas with us on Twitter @BaseballTX.