Texas Rangers Winning Season Thanks To MINOR Improvements

I'm going to look at a few of the players and show that without their current production, then their is no way that this Rangers team is currently 49-45 and only 6.5 games out of first place in the AL West and a team that is looking for their 50th win before the All-Star break since the late-90s.

David Murphy, OF—26 years old

Murphy is a current candidate for the AL Rookie of the Year and winner of the April AL Rookie of the Month.  He has played in 89 games, batting .272 with 94 hits, has 13 home runs, and 23 doubles. He is in the top five in the AL with 60 RBI, has scored 49 runs, and is slugging .462.  He is a constant in the outfield, not making spectacular plays, but making the plays he needs to be making.

Brandon Boggs, OF—25 years old

Brandon was promoted to the Rangers on April 29th. He tied the franchise record for consecutive hits to start a career, hitting in his first four plate appearances. 

Currently he has played in 52 games, batting .251 with 42 hits, 11 doubles, two triples, and four home runs. He has scored 16 times and knocked in 27 runs and three outfield assists, including two in the past couple games.

Luis Mendoza, SP/RP—24 years old

Starting the season with an 0-2 record and 9.31 ERA in April, Mendoza was sent back to Triple-A to work on his stuff and command.  Since returning for three relief appearance in June and three starts in July, he has lowered his ERA to 4.34 and improved his record to 3-3. 

On Friday, July 11, Mendoza had the best outing of his career, getting the win over the White Sox in six innings of work, allowing one run on three hits and striking out eight. 

Mendoza's future with the team as a starter or long reliever is still undetermined, but the remainder of this season and the offseason will give the club a better look at how he will help in the future.

Doug Mathis, SP—24 years old

Mathis made his Major League debut on May 12 and his starting debut on May 20. He is currently on the 15-day DL, but the club looks to return him to the rotation when he recovers from his injuries.  Mathis is 2-1 with a 6.85 ERA in four starts with wins over Seattle in relief and as a starter over the Tampa Bay Rays.

German Duran, 3B—23 years old

German made his Major League debut on April 17, due to the injuries to Hank Blalock and Triple-A 3B Travis Metcalf.  Duran has played in 41 games while splitting time at third with Ramon Vazquez and he is currently hitting .224 with 22 hits.  He has four doubles, three home runs, 11 RBI, and 15 runs scored on the season.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C—23 years old

Since the release of backup catcher Adam Melhuse, Jarrod was promoted to the Rangers.  Salty has played in 41 games this season and is currently hitting .211 on 30 hits.  He has five doubles, three home runs, 19 RBI, and 16 runs scored. 

During the offseason, it was still wondered if Salty would make the move the first base or stay a catcher. This season only supports the club's desire to keep him catching.

Max Ramirez, C—23 years old

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