The Ranger future is near

While the World Series hits Game 3 tonight in Denver, the futures of other major league teams remain everywhere else. For the last couple of weeks, Texas Rangers talent with that of other MLB teams have been competing in Winter Ball to try and keep their skills up. You don't see well-established players in these leagues, but you see kids with something to prove which makes for better games. As I follow the weekly updates from the Rangers Farm Report I can't help but be giddy over the future of the Rangers. While we may not win the World Series next year, we will definitely be in American League title contention within a few years.

Catcher
Right now there is a major league ready prospect already entrenched here, but Jarrod Saltalamacchia may be headed for first base as well. Aside from Salty, the Rangers have Taylor Teagarden (at left), a former University of Texas graduate, rising through the ranks. He was injured a year or so ago and looks to be as good as ever with a .350/.391/.500 in the Arizona Fall League. Also catcher Max Ramirez, acquired from Cleveland in the Kenny Lofton deal, is hitting .250/.625/.250 in the Venezuelan League. Not great numbers, but he still has lots of time to develop.

First Base
Other than Salty there isn't much buzz around the first base position in the Rangers minor league system. We'll most likely have to look outside the organization for that. Sean Casey is currently a free agent and would bring high batting averages but not much else. This has been a weakness since Teixeira left so the possibility of a trade for a first baseman would be nice. I wonder if Arizona's Conor Jackson is available. He's still developing and could be a nice acquisition. If only we didn't trade Adrian Gonzalez or Chris Young to the Padres...where would we be now? Otsuka is hurt, Eaton was a waste a Sledge didn't even last long.

Second Base
Locked up with Ian Kinsler.

Third Base
Hank Blalock seems to have a death grip on the position. I wonder if they'd consider moving Elvis Andrus (at right), acquired in the Mark Teixeira deal, to third base since Michael Young isn't going anywhere at short. Andrus is .300/.333/.450 in the Arizona Fall League and people are just gushing over his ability even comparing him to Jose Reyes. Now that I think about it, wouldn't it make more sense to move Young to third base when it's time for Andrus to get to the big leagues? Young is a professional who is just looking for a ring and he's already proven he'll do whatever it takes to win (i.e. moving to shortstop when Ian Kinsler came up and filling a void left by the departure of A-Rod).

Shortstop
Either Young or Andrus...

Left Field
I can't help but imagine David Murphy patrolling left field. Some wackos have compared him to Rusty Greer, which don't get me wrong is a nice comparison, but Murphy still has to show his grit. A more accurate comparison would be Aaron Rowand if he comes to Texas...

Center Field
People slot Marlon Byrd to be here for years to come, but the guy hasn't proven to be consistent. He had a monster rookie year with Philadelphia then tanked. Monster year with Texas...tank next year? Whoever the Rangers sign in free agency will only hold the spot for a few years until Engel Beltre, Gagne deal I believe, breaks into the bigs. Scouts are praising his presence in center field and his presence at the plate. Just a matter of time...

Right Field
Here's the pickle: Nelson Cruz hasn't panned out like it was believed he would. With that said, there aren't spectacular options in the farm system. Maybe a Brandon Boggs (.340/.419/.396 in the Mexican League). Maybe a John Mayberry Jr. (.238/.360/.452 in the Arizona Fall League). Honestly I'm not familiar enough with Boggs so I don't know if his stats are the real deal. As for Mayberry, I saw him play at Double-A Frisco last year and needless to say, I wasn't impressed. Perhaps a free agent pickup will fit nicely here in right field or maybe it'll be the spot down the road for the center field free agent the Rangers are trying to get. Or maybe Byrd will assume mediocrity here.

Designated Hitter
I'm hoping for Barry Bonds, but realistically: 1. he's too old to be a part of our future plans 2. steroid investigations. Sammy was nice here last year but he's not a part of the future either. The Rangers keep giving Jason Botts shots at it just because they're afraid they'll miss out or misjudge his talent (i.e. Travis Hafner). I don't like Botts but the guy tore through September and is tearing up the Mexican League leading the league in multiple categories (AVG .407, OBP .500, runs 18, RBI 18, walks 11). Maybe he'll pan out into a good player after all?

Pitching
The Rangers days of hoping for D-V-D (Danks-Volquez-Diamond) were dismantled last year when John Danks was traded to Chicago for Brandon McCarthy, Edinson Volquez tanked in 2006 and Thomas Diamond had Tommy John surgery. Now it's looking as though Eric Hurley (at left) will one day assume the role of Rangers ace. Hopefully, he wins a spot in Spring Training this year and uses 2008 to develop and adjust to the major leagues leaving 2009 and on open for success. The Rangers are also counting on Volquez to come back to
form. He spent the whole year in the minor leagues beginning in low A ball to regain form and he was outstanding as a September call-up. Diamond may be relegated to a relief role and it seems as though his ship as sailed unless he can be nothing short of amazing after surgery. Also, hopes are on 2007 1st round pick Blake Beavin to step up in the next few years to be a presence in the rotation, as well as Matt Harrison (Teixeira deal) , Robinson Tejeda (fell out of favor last year, but hopefully will pick up) and Kasey Kiker. As far as relief pitching is concerned, former Permian High School graduate Danny Herrera (at right) has been nothing short of spectacular since he was drafted out of the University of New Mexico. Currently, he's sporting a 1.59 ERA in the Arizona Fall League, giving up one run in five appearances. At Double-A Frisco he compiled a 3.78 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 5 wins, 2 losses and 64 strikeouts in 52.1 innings. From what's being said he doesn't have lots of velocity but his movement is outstanding.

Here's to 2008...hopefully we show up in the series soon...