The Sox should fire La Russa. That team should be so much better than they are. Solid outing by Ragans though, Immaculate stuff from Burke, and we won a one run game!

Hernandez has been nails. Think we have a closer

I just read the DMN article on Kumar Rocker's introduction and I'm really excited about him. His health does not seem to be in question at all after their team doc examined him. I am interested in the plan for him and all of the other prospects, though. They are going to send Rocker, Porter and everyone else to Arizona to have them condition and create a throwing program, where they then hope to pitch them in the Arizona league. No A, AA, or AAA for Rocker at all this fall.

This isn't wholly unsurprising and probably the right move, but it does bring up the conversation of timetables and windows for him and the Rangers going forward. He's a 23 year old, that's no spring chicken in MLB prospect terms, plus, it feels likely he's out of competing for a rotation spot going into next spring. I am extremely exited about Rocker, Leiter and the future of the pitching staff, but it still feels like that future is a bit further away than we want.

Yeah, I was surprised by that as well, given that he didn't make that many starts for the Independent league team he played for. I would've thought he might make a start or two in Arizona, then move on to one of the A ball affiliates (at least) to finish out the season for a higher level of competition.

But hopefully this plan works out; but you are right, 2023 doesn't seem like it is in the radar at all for Rocker. But as long as he stays healthy and progressing, 2024 will be here soon enough. He has enough college innings that it shouldn't take him too long in the minors, assuming all goes well health-wise.

I could definitely see Rocker making the rotation at some point in 2023.

Rocker is actually 22, but his birthday is in November, so I wanted to correct my previous statement about him being 23. I maybe could see Rocker in the Rotation after the All-Star break next season, but not any sooner. They're likely going to put him in AA to start the season, and best case scenario would be similar to what Ragans has done which is dominate AA and then be consistent at AAA. If I had to bet though I think I'd bet on him not pitching almost any in the MLB next year.

I know Rocker was touted as "the most MLB ready player available in the draft." Like many, I was hoping to see him this year.

IF the Rangers were still playing meaningful games, maybe an argument could be made.

This shouldn't have surprised me (or anyone else). I think it was after the 2016 draft, JD implemented a plan for HS pitchers to NOT pitch in games that season. It was his experience that specifically HS pitchers did not have the core body strength. IIRC, he also felt there were mechanical things they usually needed to address, as well.

So, pitchers were sent to Az and spent the season there to be on-boarded and strengthen.

With all the attention Rocker has and the criticism ready if Rocker isn't successful, I'm sure the Rangers are going to be very cautious.

Not knowing what his surgery was and his arm strength... I'd expect a 2024 target, as well.

I'm guessing the line of promotion will likely be something like:
Ragans - Leiter - Winn - Owen White - Rocker

Brad Miller activated, Solak optioned to AAA.

Kind of a brutal take on Nick Solak by Adam Morris...

Quote:

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Solak, on the other hand, appears to not be in the Rangers plans, and was basically keeping a roster spot warm while he was up. He's righthanded instead of lefthanded, and has less defensive ability and versatility than Miller, which made it less likely he was going to get playing time, given the makeup of the Rangers' roster. If someone gets hurt, Solak may return. If not, he won't.

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Josh smith still on the team?

Yukon Cornelius said:

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Josh smith still on the team?

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In the starting lineup tonight....why wouldn't he still be on the team?

rbtexan said:

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Yukon Cornelius said:

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Josh smith still on the team?

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In the starting lineup tonight....why wouldn't he still be on the team?

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Go easy on the Rook

Smith is hitting .294 with a .400 OBP his last 15 games. That's pretty solid....he's done nothing to warrant being sent down.

Sorry haven't seen it for today. Just didn't see him yesterday and still figuring out rotations and such. Saw they brought up a guy and didn't know if that meant one had to go down?

Yukon Cornelius said:

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Sorry haven't seen it for today. Just didn't see him yesterday and still figuring out rotations and such. Saw they brought up a guy and didn't know if that meant one had to go down?

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They called up Ragans & Thompson...Santana & Calhoun to the IL

That's got to be tough for Calhoun ya? He's been in the top league for awhile?

What's the best source to keep up with team news?

Yukon Cornelius said:

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That's got to be tough for Calhoun ya? He's been in the top league for awhile?

What's the best source to keep up with team news?

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IL = injured list, it's what used to be called the disabled list (DL)

The Ranger's page at MLB.com is really good, as is the one over at Bleacher Report. Also Sports Illustrated has a Rangers page, but it doesn't seem to be as up to date as the others. Evan Grant is a good follow if you do the Twitter thing (I don't). I also really like Jeff Wilson's new subscription service (RangersToday.com) - $60/year and worth it IMO.

Yukon Cornelius said:

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That's got to be tough for Calhoun ya? He's been in the top league for awhile?

What's the best source to keep up with team news?

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Mr. Gigem.

This is a good source:

https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TEX/2022.shtml

That site has all of the historical information and current minor-league rosters, etc.

This site is their MLB site. MLB centralized team sites because of all the analytics, among other reasons (money, control). There you can look at their Prospect rankings and analysis and compare them to other team:
www.mlb.com/rangers

Yes, there is a 25/26 man roster and a 40 man roster.

A MLB team can only have 25 (or 26) players available to play on any given day. Then can move people from the 40 to the 25 and back and forth with restrictions/limitations.

If someone is not on the 40, you have to remove someone from the 40. There are many ways to do that. You can move them to the 60IL - 60 Day Injured List. You can DFA (Designate them for assignment) and Release them.

Once a player is put on the 40, they are

Don't forget
https://twitter.com/rangerblake

The Rangers will wear their alternate red jerseys and regular red caps on Friday. The Globe Life Field roof will be closed on Friday.

— John Blake (@RangerBlake) August 5, 2022

And apparently this one:

Rangers lineup for August 5 vs. Chicago-AL pic.twitter.com/XXNs3ZwqZa

— Texas Rangers PR (@TXRangersPR) August 5, 2022

Thank you everyone, I'll check out those resources

There's probably quite a few on Twitter....I just don't use it, so I'm not a good resource on that.

Wow Otto's slider is FILTHY tonight

Ottos "stuff" has never been in question. It's the command for him.

Brad Miller. Wtf are you doing?? That pitch was right down the middle

3 LOB isn't going to cut it there.

I'm taking my family to the Mariners/Rangers next Saturday and looking for tickets. It will be my four year olds first game. What area of the stadium provides stuff for him with quick access to and from our potential seats? Anything else you guys recommend? I'll also have my mom who I prefer not have to walk around too much. Let me know what you guys think and can you please remind me of the texags discount code?

It's time to cut Brad Miller loose

2 horrible ABs to end the game. I can forgive Thompson but not Miller. Another 1 run loss.

Josh Jung making his first pro start at 1B with the rookies today.

— Scott Lucas (@scottrlucas) August 6, 2022

6pm start tonight...

Rangers lineup for August 6 vs. Chicago-AL pic.twitter.com/me4BtaiwfY

— Texas Rangers PR (@TXRangersPR) August 6, 2022

Lots of obese Chicago fans here.

Dane Dunning only has 1 win in 20 starts. Yikes! His 4.30 ERA isn't great, but not awful. Probably deserves better than a 1-6 record.