Would be amazing if we blew 2 top 3 picks and still won the World Series

ETA: I'm not giving up on either Vandy boy yet.

I'm guessing FS is split finger fastball?? I didn't know Mize threw that.

Has anyone else been on the hunt for a flexfit City Connect hat like I've been? I haven't seen them in stock anywhere for a long time.

investorAg83 said:

---

I'm guessing FS is split finger fastball?? I didn't know Mize threw that.

---

Four seam

Then what is FF??

FC is cut fastball
FF i thought was four (since basically every e throws it)
FS I thought might be sinker until I saw SI

Makes me think it's split finger fastball.

investorAg83 said:

---

Has anyone else been on the hunt for a flexfit City Connect hat like I've been? I haven't seen them in stock anywhere for a long time.

---

Same boat here. I have a weird shaped head LOL and can't really wear anything fitted without it looking like the Berlin wall. If you find something post a message about it on here!

Same! I was going to suggest if multiple people are on the hunt to throw a bat signal up.

investorAg83 said:

---

I'm guessing FS is split finger fastball?? I didn't know Mize threw that.

---

Yes

gigem1223 said:

---

investorAg83 said:

---

I'm guessing FS is split finger fastball?? I didn't know Mize threw that.

---

Four seam

---

FF is Four Seam Fastball
https://www.mlb.com/glossary/pitch-types

investorAg83 said:

---

I'm guessing FS is split finger fastball?? I didn't know Mize threw that.

---

He had a pretty wicked splitter back in college, my best friend from high school/college is a die hard Auburn fan. He always tells me how their players are the best, most underrated players in the country. However, Mize was pretty badass in college.

Taking inventory of our Relief Pitching options for 2024.

RP (5 of 7/8 set)

LH: Burke (27.207)
RH: Yates (36.339), Robertson (38.324), Sborz (30.072), LeClerc (30.070)

Hopeful RP:
LH: Latz (27.325d-AAA), Antoine Kelly (24.084-AA)
RH: Church (22.334d-AAA), Corniell (20.250d-A+), J Hernandez (27.236-MLB), G Anderson (26.251-MLB), Yerry Rodriguez (26.135-MLB), Coleman (25.326-AA in '22)

NRI:
LH: Duffy (35), Shreve (33), Taylor (28-RP, former Astros), Wolfram (27-RP-AAA), '18 Rangers 18th Rd)
RH: Castillo (30), Greene (35), Holder (30), Pruitt (34), Robert (28-AAA), Teodo (23-A+), Tinoco (28-MLB)

Now, looking RP... I really like where we are with the RHRP... Burke really needs a bounce-back year.
'22: 52G, 1.97 ERA, 82.1 IP, 90 SO
'23: 53G, 4.37 ERA 59.2 IP, 52 SO
I was really expecting more from him in '23. I think there are some questions about his assured '24 role, but I think he'll be fine.

With Hernandez (0-4 in Save Opps), Anderson (0-4 in Save Opps), and Yerry (limited '23 opps)... I think getting Yates and Robertson is all you need to know about their (H, A, Y) future. Unless they (H, A, Y) really impress early, they'll have a short leash.

There are some interesting players to follow. I like Tinico and Kelly. There are some experienced guys looking to make a come back.

I think the Rangers can go a couple directions with that 8th RP. Usually a guy that goes multiple innings... could be Sampson. Duffy.

Tinico is fascinating. The guys sits about 100 and has looked solid so far, but hes another short reliever. We're super thin on long relievers at the MLB level, ESPECIALLY if Bradford is going to be your #5 starter.

Rangers will get a look at new Dodger free agent signee Yamamoto today. Hopefully Cody Bradford can step up and show him whose boss

I know it's probably a year too early, but I really wanna see Emiliano Teodo pitch.

Bruce Bochy on RHP Emiliano Teodo, who touched 100 MPH a few times today and was consistently upper 90’s: “Electric stuff … liked the poise that the kid showed, he’s got great stuff.”

The 23-year-old is Texas’ No. 15 prospect, per Baseball America.

— Shawn McFarland (@McFarland_Shawn) February 24, 2024

Quote:

---

Now, looking RP... I really like where we are with the RHRP... Burke really needs a bounce-back year.
'22: 52G, 1.97 ERA, 82.1 IP, 90 SO
'23: 53G, 4.37 ERA 59.2 IP, 52 SO

---

Wasn't part of Burke's issues that he got overused last year? He may be a little light on the durability side, and then he got used more than his optimal level. There were times last year when we were short on arms (starters and relievers ). Of course, at least for the first half of the season we may be in the same boat if our projected starters don't come through as successfully as we are hoping they will.

And I expect more of a bounce back year from Hernandez. Prior to his TJ surgery, he was one of the more reliable relievers we had. It looked like his velo was back, but the command wasn't fully there. Hopefully a little more time post-TJ surgery will help get him back to where he once was.

I think you may be thinking of '22.

His splits in '22 were:
M/A: 7G, 11.2 IP, 2.31
May: 7G, 13.0 IP, 0.00
June: 8G, 12.0, 1.50
July: 12G, 17.0, 1.06
Aug: 10G, 15.0, 3.00
S/O: 8G, 13.2, 3.95

In '23, he was terrible in Aug/Sep/Oct, but struggled early as well: May (4.09 ERA), June (3.00).

I tried to see if I could find anything prior to posting the above... like was he injured, tired... didn't see anything. I saw a clip of him saying he was going to try to go deeper into games in '23 and that he tired late in '22.

I'm hoping it was him running out of gas in '22 and not fully recovering for '23.

Other possibilities is if there was a change in his perceived role. He was going 4.75 Outs (1.2 IP/G) per Appearance to just 3 Outs in '23. The pitch clock?! He might have been brought into more mop-up roles with more guys on base. We know Aroldis Chapman was a guy that likes to start an inning, instead of being brought in with guys on base... that could have dumped less favorable spots for Burke.

He is the best LH RP we have right now, so we'll either have to get someone else, or he'll have to step up.

His monthly splits certainly support your assertion.

If he and Burke give us their '22 seasons, I'd be tickled.

Lineup today for the 2:05 Game against LAD:

1. Semien (DH) <- Likely some rest
2. Carter (RF) <- I believe he has been in RF for each game he has played.
3. Langford (LF) <- He is usually in LF when Carter is in RF
4. Lowe (1B)
5. Heim (C) <- 1st game to Catch this ST?
6. Taveras (CF) <- Solidly in CF.
7. Duran (SS) <- Possible SS on Opening Day?!
8. Foscue (2B) <- Good to get some ABs
9. Ornelas (3B) <- Possible 3B on Opening Day?

Comments:
Langford getting OF time isn't a surprise. I think he is a LF and not likely a CF or RF, so that makes sense.

Carter has played exclusively in RF. No LF. No CF. I think that could signal a position change. Would he be fine in LF Opening Day? Sure, but makes me think Langford is going to get every possible chance to lock down LF. Maybe this is just a chance to get Carter some RF in anticipating of a mid-season call-up for Langford?!

Adolis has not played or had an AB in a game. G6 today. Early, I know. Sandler indicated some players only need/want about 15 ABs in ST while others may want 30+/-. He had 30 in '22 and 48 last year. It is likely they are just being slow and patient with Adolis, Heim, and Seager.

I think Sandler on the radio basically said Foscue is a DH and only a DH. Foscue has said for routine plays he can play 1B, but when it comes to holding runners and fielding a double play, he still needs work.

Can we carry a 20-something as a DH-only player?! Is his O that good?

Quote:

---

I think Sandler on the radio basically said Foscue is a DH and only a DH. Foscue has said for routine plays he can play 1B, but when it comes to holding runners and fielding a double play, he still needs work.

---

That's what I've been saying about Foscue for quite some time. He's going to have to hit - and I mean REALLY hit - to deserve a roster spot. Maybe this is the year he figures it out, but his minor league #'s haven't been impressive, other than his walk to strikeout ratio.

I think Bochy Carter will work at all 3 spots. RF is actually where he's least experienced.

Watching the game today. Yates looks really good fwiw.

rbtexan said:

---

Watching the game today. Yates looks really good fwiw.

---

And Sborz?

Gave up a HR that was crushed

Latz getting hit pretty hard, not fooling anybody

I think this is the year he's going to have to figure it out.

As is the case with many Rangers prospects... BBs are an epidemic.

With my Rangers goggles on, I think Dodgers v Rangers is the most likely WS scenario in 2024.

Dodgers / Braves are likely 1-2 with Phillies a 3rd in the NL.

Rangers / O's are likely 1-2 with Astros at 3rd in the AL.

*Subject to injuries

Nice stand-up triple for Cauley. CF got turned around

FYI: if you have the MLB channel, today's Ranger - Dodger game is on (started 4pm); it's tape delayed, but I'm just going to pretend I didn't see the last several posts up above and watch some of it anyway

Yamamato looked stellar for the Dodgers

I'm looking at Elier Hernandez wondering why nobody has pointed him out.

Nelson Cruz? El Bombi?

I think the Langford-hype needs to give way to Elier.

Josh Sborz on first spring appearance. First time in a game since Game 5 glove slam.#TexasRangers pic.twitter.com/WpNcniSPDe

— Stefan Stevenson (@StefanVersusTex) February 28, 2024

I'd say that barring an injury (or injuries) Hernandez's chances of making the team are virtually nil. Great organizational depth piece, but we have other options in the OF. Maybe he can play himself into a trade to a team that could use him.

FWIW, Jeff Wilson just sent out his updated opening day roster predictions.

SP - Eovaldi, Dunning, Gray, Heaney & Bradford
BP - LeClerc, Robinson, Yates, Sborz, J Hernandez, Burke, Latz & Duffy. Dark horses for the last 2 spots are Church, White, Leiter, Winn, and Kent (because the Rangers need multiple innings guys)
C - Heim, Knizner and Huff
IF - Lowe, Semien, Jung, Duran, & Smith (Huff would be the odd man out if Seager is ready opening day)
OF - Carter, Taveras, Garcia, Jankowski and Langford.

Yep, he thinks Langford breaks camp on the big league club.

All subject to change of course, it's really early.