They say that anything can happen in the game of baseball. It turns out that anything can happen in the offseason as well. Right now the Texas Rangers are seeing something that they rarely see. Snow, power outages, and record low temperatures have Rangers fans clamoring for baseball season to get underway. Opening Day is April 1st. One of the things that fans have to look forward to is a solid outfield. Here’s a Texas Rangers outfield review.
Roaming in Center
The Rangers have a couple of options for centerfield. Fan-favorite Joey Gallo has the most experience, and will most likely see the most playing time, barring any injuries. Despite the strange circumstances of the 2020 season, Gallo managed to hit 10 home runs while batting .181 with 26 RBI and 23 runs scored in 57 games. He also had a great year defensively, netting his first career Gold Glove award. Another guy that the Rangers can turn to in centerfield is Leody Taveras. At 22 years of age, he is the youngest outfielder on the Rangers roster. At the plate in 2020, he hit .227 with four home runs, six RBI, and 20 runs scored. The Rangers would like to see him improve on defense, so Rangers fans should expect to see more of him this coming year.
Options in Left
The Rangers have a player with a good throwing arm in Willie Calhoun. He’ll fit in nicely to the Rangers’ plans for left field in 2021. Like Taveras, Calhoun just needs more playing time to really find his groove. In the pandemic shortened 2020 season, he hit .190 with one home run, 13 RBI, and three runs scored. Both he and the Rangers are hoping that 2021 will be a more productive year for him. Another name that manager Chris Woodward can pencil into left field is the newly signed David Dahl. The Rangers are very high on Dahl. In 2020, he hit .183 with nine RBI and no home runs for the Colorado Rockies. Khris Davis, one of the Rangers’ biggest acquisitions this offseason will get plenty of playing time as well. He hit an even .200 with two home runs, 10 RBI, and nine runs scored.
Manning Right Field
Although he is mainly a left-fielder, Eli White could move over to the right if needed. Last year, White hit .188 with three RBI, no home runs, and three runs scored in limited playing time in 2020. The Rangers like White’s throwing arm as well. White could fit in nicely to the Rangers plans in some capacity. Last but not least is Nick Solak. Solak has proven to be one of the most versatile players on the Rangers’ roster. He can play positions both in the infield and outfield. Last season he hit .268 with two home runs, 23 RBI, and 27 runs scored. The Rangers really like Solak’s glove and should have no problem trusting him to take over the reins in right field, among other positions whenever he is needed.
The Texas Rangers have a lot going for them in 2021. Here’s to a great season.
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