Texas Rangers: Which Top Prospects Will Make the Opening Day Roster?
When it comes to the 2010 American League Champion Texas Rangers, it's all about pitching, pitching, and some more pitching.
The Rangers pitching staff finished third in the AL in 2010 with a team ERA of 3.93 and second behind the Toronto Blue Jays with 1,189 total strikeouts. With Cliff Lee leaving Texas and going back to the Phillies, the Rangers will need to have to have some of their young pitchers step in to at least help fill Lee's big shoes.
Texas may in fact have to rely on some of their prospects to fuel the team internally throughout the 2011 season. While many of these pitchers may not be known to many baseball fans, every one of them could easily become household names by Opening Day or in the very near future.
Here are the best Rangers prospects that have the best shot to make it to the big leagues on Opening Day.
1. Michael Kirkman
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2010 MLB stats:
Record: 0-0
ERA: 1.65
Innings: 16.1
10 BB / 16 SO
Rated as the sixth-best prospect in the Rangers organization by Baseball America heading into the 2011 season, Michael Kirkman has the best opportunity to make the big league club come Opening Day.
Kirkman will need to have a big Spring Training, though, as he looks to go up against lefty Derek Holland for the fifth spot in the Rangers rotation. While Holland did fair well in 10 starts last season, (3-4 with a 4.08 ERA in 57 innings) the 24-year-old Kirkman ultimately put up the better numbers in 2010—in the minor leagues.
Last season at AAA with the Oklahoma City RedHawks, Kirkman went a remarkable 13-3 with a 3.09 ERA, striking out 130 and walking just 68 over the course of 131 innings. Not to mention holding the opposition to a .235 batting average as well.
With those numbers at AAA, it's hard to imagine a scenario in which Kirkman will need to go back down to the minors for more seasoning in 2011.
Chances of making the Opening Day roster: 90 percent
2. Zachary Phillips
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2010 Minor League stats (AAA):
Record: 3-2
ERA: 3.22
Innings: 50.1
29 BB / 40 SO
Zachary Phillips was pretty successful in his first experience in AAA last season, which may in fact help him win a big league spot on Opening Day.
After originally starting the season at AA last year, Phillips quickly tore through the system, holding opposing hitters to a ridiculous .155 batting average. He took only 16.2 innings with the Frisco RoughRiders to move up in the system, putting up a 1.08 ERA and walking just five hitters while striking out 23.
Phillips will compete for a spot most likely in the Ranger bullpen in Spring Training.
Chances of making the Opening Day roster: 60 percent
3. Pedro Strop
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2010 Minor League Stats (AAA):
Record: 1-2
ERA: 1.91 ERA
Innings: 42.1
14 BB / 57 SO
No, not that Pedro.
Pedro Strop exceeded his expectations in his second stint in AAA last season, where his success led him to become a Pacific Coast League All-Star last July.
While he did make it up to the big leagues for the second time in his career last season, Strop had some problems with walking hitters (11 in 10.2 innings pitched with the Rangers) which ultimately led him to post a high 10.13 ERA with Texas.
Regardless, he looks to be a solid prospect in the Rangers organization who still has a legitimate opportunity to make the big league roster in the bullpen come Opening Day, with a big Spring Training performance.
Chances of making the Opening Day roster: 50 percent
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4. Tanner Scheppers
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2010 Minor League stats (AAA):
Record: 1-3
ERA: 5.48
Innings: 69.0
30 BB / 71 SO
Probably one of the most exciting up-and-coming prospects in the minor leagues, Tanner Scheppers is definitely someone for baseball fans to keep an eye on in 2011.
Currently ranked by Baseball America as the third-best prospect in the Rangers organization going into this season, Scheppers was selected to play in the 2010 Futures Game last July. After originally starting the season in AA, he quickly advanced after posting an astounding 0.82 ERA in 11 innings pitched, walking none while striking out 19.
Scheppers has moved up the Rangers organization very fast, being a former first round pick by Texas in the 2009 MLB Draft. Regardless if he will make the Opening Day roster or not, look to see him in a Rangers uniform during some point in 2011.
Chances of making the Opening Day roster: 40 percent
5. Omar Beltre
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2010 Minor League stats:
Record: 3-9
ERA: 2.65
Innings: 85
38 BB / 85 SO
Talk about a long road to the big leagues, Omar Beltre, at 29-years-old, will look to make the big league roster out of Spring Training for the first time in his career.
After being banned from the U.S. for five years due to involvement with a human trafficking ring, Beltre made his Rangers debut this past season, throwing seven innings for the big league club. Even with Beltre being hung up in the minor leagues for a half a decade, he has still managed to pitch well as a reliever.
Like the others before him, Beltre will need a big spring to make the Rangers roster on Opening Day. Knowing all he has been through over the past few years, if anyone could come into Spring Training and put up enough to make it, Beltre is the guy.
Chances of making the Opening Day roster: 40 percent
6. Eric Hurley
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The former No. 3 prospect in the Rangers organization in 2008, Eric Hurley has had a tough road getting to the big leagues.
Even with missing the entire 2009 season due to a torn rotator cuff Hurley is definitely still young enough (25) to make an impact in the major leagues. What makes him a more viable option for the Rangers this upcoming season is the way he has pitched in the Arizona Fall League.
In six starts, Hurley went 3-0 with a 1.82 ERA in 24.2 innings pitched, walking nine and striking out 14, while holding the opposition to a low .229 batting average. Talk about a comeback. The former first round pick (30th overall) by Texas back in 2004 will look to prove all his doubters wrong as he looks to make his first impact in the big leagues since 2008.
He will need the biggest Spring Training of them all, but it wouldn't surprise me to see him at some point in 2011 if he does not make the Opening Day roster.
Chances of making the Opening Day roster: 25 percent
On the Outside Looking In: Martin Perez
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Currently rated as the Rangers top prospect, Martin Perez more than likely will not make the Opening Day roster but is definitely someone to keep an eye on throughout the 2011 season.
At just 19-years-old, Perez could easily make it to the big leagues as a 20-year-old looking like a possible September call-up at the end of the year. Now injuries and poor player performances occur over the course of a 162-game season, so anything is possible regarding Perez and his chance in the big leagues.
Besides being compared to Johan Santana, Perez was also recently ranked by mlb.com as the 23rd best prospect in the entire minor leagues. Things definitely look up for both Perez and the future Rangers pitching staff.
Position Battle Set?
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When it comes to the position players, the Rangers simply do not have any prospects that are close enough to make an impact come Opening Day.
Of course injuries could happen in Spring Training, but if the season did start today, the Rangers' lineup would be set from top to bottom—well, almost.
With the team signing free agent third baseman Adrian Beltre to a six-year, $96 million contract this offseason, longtime Texas Ranger shortstop Michael Young has demanded a trade, making him questionable for the Opening Day roster.
If Young is in fact traded before the start of the season, look for the Rangers to fill the hole at designated hitter internally. Candidates would include Chris Davis or David Murphy, but it doesn't look like the Rangers replace Young with a prospect.
Outfielder Engel Beltre is still far away from making an impact, as he will most likely open the season at AA with the Frisco RoughRiders.
Replacing Cliff Lee
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It's highly doubtful that the Texas Rangers will not miss Cliff Lee at some point during the 2011 season.
With that being said, the Rangers pitching staff will still be one of the best in the American League by season's end. Returning starters include C.J. Wilson, Colby Lewis, and Tommy Hunter.
Adding to the mix will be the former 2006 NL Cy Young Award winner Brandon Webb, who signed with the Rangers on a one-year contract. While he maybe a high risk pitcher with all his injuries over the past few years, Webb could easily become a high-reward pickup for Texas as well.
Even without Cliff Lee in a Rangers uniform, Texas should still be in contention throughout this season, and certainly on the lookout to make it back to the World Series.
But this time, win it.
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