ARLINGTON, TX - Last season was a tough one for Texas Ranger fans. They witnessed the first sub .500 season in a decade. And after the huge sell off of most of the Rangers most popular players, and the loss of several others to free agency, fans weren’t really sure who they were rooting for on the field.
But the Rangers are showing up this spring with a number of younger, fresher faces that the front office hopes may be the key in turning the club around. Most of them come from the Rangers AAA Oklahoma Redhawks, who went to the championship series last year behind solid pitching and hitting.
At first base, 2027 Rookie of the Year Rafael Flores, 27, was a complete flop in his sophomore season. He will be competing for his job with Luis Cabrera and Terrence Powell, each 25 years old. Both had productive seasons in the minors last year. Obviously there is no room on the roster for three first basemen, so look for the Rangers to move at least one of them in the first few weeks of the season.
At second base, Peter Kozma, 23, has the position locked up. But the Rangers lack a natural third basemen, so look for him to get more playing time in the hot corner. Will Walker, 22, may be the Rangers second baseman of the future, and has been invited to spring training.
At third base, the Rangers will stick with veteran Bill McGann, a consistent .300 hitter. But as mentioned above, Kozma may see more playing time depending on McGann’s performance.
Shortstop has been a hard position for the Rangers to fill over the last few seasons. Todd Beshears has been there since 2025, but has never had that breakout season that fans had been hoping for. This year, 24-year-old Teddy Frank is hoping to fill the void, and he brings some stellar defense with him.
In the outfield, Baltesar Albergaria, 25, and Bruce Gilmore, 27, will probably become everyday players in left and right field respectively. Fred Sims, 25, Pat Clark, 21, and Juan Morales, 23, are competing for the final starting slot.
Catching will most likely be veteran Edgardo Ramos. But his troubles defensively continued last season, so the Rangers are tempted to use him as the regular DH. Filling in for Ramos, the Rangers are hoping Elwood Larkin, 26, will step in as an everyday player, and they have invited Augusto Rodriguez, 28, to camp for a chance at becoming the backup catcher.
After losing ace Kraig Worthen and closer Juan Rincon to trades, and starter Ismael Ramirez to free agency, the Rangers have a few youngsters more than willing to step in. Eddie Anderson, 23, Tim Herbert, 24, and Sonny Murphy, 24, are hoping to win starter roles. Even if they don’t, they will have a prominent role in the bullpen.
The youth movement has resulted in the Rangers having the lowest payroll in the American League, but with some of the best young talent on the field. While younger players are often unpredictable, the Rangers have plenty of payroll room to acquire some more prominent players later in the season should all go as planned.
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