Being in third place, especially considering how bleak things were the last time the Rangers Report was posted, is very awesome. Hope it lasts.
Arizona Fall League Breakdown
The Rangers announced their candidates for the Arizona Fall League, which begins play on October 9th. Here’s the list of candidates:
Josh Rupe (RHP) – The organization still feels that Rupe an become a excellent starter with time, but Rupe hasn’t been able to stay healthy. Frankly, this is looking like it’s make or break time for Rupe, else he may risk being traded to a team as a reliever.
Kea Kometani (RHP) – Kometani is another intriguing arm in the Rangers’ system that will be playing in hopes of earning a 40 man spot, as I think he is going to be Rule V eligible this off-season. Kometani was converted to relief this past season and was excellent there. If he can be stretched out to a starter again, that would be even better.
Matt Harrison (LHP) – One of the big prizes in the Mark Teixeira deal, Harrison is regarded to be a good lefty pitcher that can eat up innings and keep his team in games…or a left handed Joe Blanton, to use a comparison. Anyhow, Harrison missed the rest of the season after the trade because of injury, so his assignment means that the Rangers will be looking to see how his recovery has come along.
Danny Ray Herrera (LHP) - A short lefty, Herrera is a quality relief pitching prospect that could be an above average setup man. He got hammered late in the season, so the Rangers are likely sending him to Arizona to work on some things.
Joaquin Arias (SS) - Arias is probably the most disappointing prospect out of all these listed. Once throught to be a superstar, Arias is now being viewed to be a utilityman prospect, not at all what the Rangers hoped he'd be when they selected him over Robinson Cano in the Alex Rodriguez trade.
John Mayberry Jr. (RF) – Mayberry has been brought about very slowly by the Rangers, and he hasn’t nearly shown the progress that many have felt he should have shown by now. While he can hit for power, Mayberry’s
Chris Davis (3B) – Davis has recently been added to the AFL roster, but don’t expect to see too much of him though. As a “taxi squad” member, he is only available to play Wednesday and Saturday.
Taylor Teagarden (C) – Teagarden is likely going to be sent to the AFL to get some work in on his defense. Don’t expect to see too much of him though. As a “taxi squad” member, he is only available to play Wednesday and Saturday.
German Duran (2B) – A prospect that most prospect heads whiffed on (But not me, as I listed Duran on my top 30 Rangers Prospects) Teagarden is likely going to be sent to the AFL to get some work in on his defense. Don’t expect to see too much of him though. As a “taxi squad” member, he is only available to play Wednesday and Saturday.
Morisato's Minor League Positiional And Pitching Players Of The Year
Pitcher - Eric Hurley (RHP).
Hurley has done nothing but perform since he began the year and after dominating the Texas League, he was promoted to Oklahoma, where he held his own. Hurley is likely entering his last year on the farm and could be in Arlington as soon as June.
Also Considered...
Omar Poveda (RHP) - The big Venezuelan was the Lumberkings Ace before he was promoted to Bakersfield. All in all, he made great strides and could be on the way up, especially since his stuff has gained velocity.
Kasey ####r (LHP) - Last year's number one pick has done nothing but domiante. While he's been wild at times, he's also been very good. It should be interesting to see what he does in Bakersfield next year.
Zach Philips (LHP) - Another Bakersfield bound lefty, Philips has quietly had an excellent season and helped provide Clinton with another solid lefty in the middle of the rotation.
Brendan Garr (RHP) - Once thought to be an intruiguing arm, Garr is looking more and more like a bonafide closer candidate in the future.
Michael Main (RHP) - Main has been very good and has vaulted himself higher in the eyes of the organization than local boy Blake Beaven.
Positional Player - Chris Davis (3B)
Davis has rapidly turned into Texas' top positional player and power hitter. While the Strikeout totals and defensive errors are a bit of a concern, the power is real and in time, he could turn into a beast at first base.
Also Considered...
Taylor Teagarden (C) - Teagarden lost a year due to Tommy John, but has since returned to show that his Gold Glove defense is still intact. Even better, his bat has come to life and he's shown legitimate power to go with his high walk totals. It could get interesting a can couple of years between Teagarden and Saltalamacchia, a nice problem to have.
John Whittleman (3B) - Another talented third baseman, Whittleman was the Rangers' American Rep in the Future's Game and has made enormous strides with the bat. The power has come in as expected, though it has resulted in a strikeout increase. Still, all in all, Whittleman is looking very different from how he finished a year ago.
German Duran (2B) - A sleeper candidate, Duran has emerged to be one of the most unheralded middle infield prospects in the minor leagues. He's shown good range and solid hands along with a lot of thunder in his bat. Potentially, he's Jeff Kent, but without the stone hands.
Brandon Boggs (CF) - Boggs has also blossomed into a potential centerfielder of the future. While his age somewhat clouds his achievements, his numbers are good and should be taken seriously.
Potential Free Agent Musings
All signs are pointing for Torii Hunter to possibly head to Texas in the future via free agency, especially since he wants a five year deal worth $70 million. While I would be up for potentially sacrificing the second rounder for a need, Hunter isn't it.
Kosuke Fukudome, on the other hand, I'd be very interested in bringing over. The bat is legitimate and he'd be able to play centerfield for a couple of years, until first rounder Julio Borbon is ready, then he'd be able to slide over into a outfield corner. Fukudome would not only allow the Rangers to potentially move into the Asian Market, but also wouldn't cost a second round pick, allowing the Rangers to be able to still splurge in the draft.
Another Option I'd consider is possibly Mike Cameron, who would also be a short term solution that wouldn't break the bank, plus could see his numbers improve leaving Petco Park.
As for current Rangers, Brad Wilkerson and Jamey Wright, I would be okay bringing them back, a different stance then I had a couple of weeks ago. However, I would bring them back only on the condition that Wilkerson plays only first base and that Wright remains in the pen, where he's been...surprisingly competent.
The Brawl wound up overshadowing a very successful week, in which Texas went 4-2 against a pair of very good teams. The Ranger pitching fared very well against the Angels and Tigers and the offense was clicking. After that, it’s a tough matchup against Detroit, who will be looking to make up ground and try and put some distance between them and the White Sox. If the Rangers can split the series, they’ll be in great shape. Texas has a chance to pad it's win schedule against Tampa (though don't sell Tampa short. They're a very good team in a very tough division) before a collision course in Oakland that could determine their playoff fates.
Young Bullpen Proving Itself
The Rangers didn’t anticipate having to dip into the farm system for help this season. Yet, after Joaquin Benoit imploded and Antonio Alfonseca petered out after April, the Rangers have relied increasingly on three youngsters: C.J. Wilson, Josh Rupe, and Wes Littleton.
Littleton has been the biggest surprise, having an ERA under 2 and dominating right handed hitters. Wilson started the season very rocky and has since begun to stabilize himself into the lefty specialist on the team. Josh Rupe, who was contending for a starting job back in Spring Training, may have a future instead as a long man. Together, these three have the potential to be a lights out bullpen for years to come.
Well, maybe.
Littleton has closers stuff and with him having FIVE solid pitches, he may well be the most versatile closer since John Wetteland pitched for Texas. Wilson may be eased back in the rotation next year. But regardless of what happens, this is a strong statement that the Rangers’ underrated farm system is paying dividends.
Wilkerson Done For The Year
Brad Wilkerson's season is over. Wilkerson will undergo surgery tomorrow to repair his right shoulder. The shoulder has been bothering Wilkerson since the end of Spring Training. He had a cortisone shot right before the start of the season that got him through the first half and another at the All-Star break. Wilkerson had been having a terrible season in Texas and had lost his spot in the lineup to Matt Stairs and Nelson Cruz.
Wilkerson wanted to postpone the surgery until after the season, believing he could still help the team in the pennant race. But the Rangers acquired Stairs from the Kansas City Royals at the July 31 trade deadline and that reduced him to being a bench player. Wilkerson, who is making $3.9 million this year, has one year of arbitration left and couldn't take more than a 20 percent pay cut under Collective Bargaining Agreement rules. That means the Rangers would have to pay him at least $3.12 million unless they decide to make him a free agent by not tendering him a contract in December.
Cordero Back To Form In Milwaukee
Former Ranger closer Francisco Cordero is doing a #### up job in Milwaukee. He’s converted 9 of 9 so far and even has a win to his credit. Cordero, as you may recall, lost his closers job after blowing five of them in April. Since Otsuka took over, Cordero had gradually been recovering his old form. All in all, with Cordero doing well, Cruz rapidly developing and Lee kick ####, this trade has worked well for both sides.
Danks Not Coming Anytime Soon
Jon Daniels has already made it clear that John Danks will probably not get a call up this September. Daniels has stated that unless Texas is out of contention, Danks won’t be put on the 40 man roster until possibly Spring Training in order to protect him from the Rule V Draft.
Next Week On The Rangers Report:
Recommendations For September Callups, Plus the Top Ten Ranger Pitching Prospects.
I'm a long time Texas Rangers fan who has come to love baseball as a whole. I recently began this blog as a way for me to showcase my opinions, provide some analysis, and hopefully entertain those who happen to stumble upon my little soapbox online. I'll toss in an NFL, College, or NBA nugget every now and then. Enjoy the posts everyone, and yes, getting a little love in a Deadspin post was probably the highlight of the year, blogwise.
Do You Have Comment You Don't Want All To See? Just Want To Talk Baseball? Email Me at morisatos_blo g AT yahoo.com. Email's edited to keep away the Spam.
