Monday Newsletter time: This Texas Rangers prospect made another positive impression at pitching mini-camp
Manager Chris Woodward spent two days watching minor-leaguers and speaking to as many of them as he could.
Owen White was the Arizona Fall League Pitcher of the Year in 2021 with a six-start performance that raised his stock among Texas Rangers prospects.
The right-hander made his triumphant return to the Surprise Recreation Campus two weekends ago along with more than 20 other Rangers minor-leaguers for a pitching mini-camp that also served as an offseason check-in and a launching pad toward spring training.
Scouts, executives and coaches, including manager Chris Woodward, were there. He didn’t speak to every camp participant, but among those with whom he did connect, White stood out.
Woodward and White had a head start, as White was one of the prospects at Globe Life Field on Jan. 11 for a leadership summit. The more they talked, the more Woodward came away impressed.
“I didn't know him that well. I saw him pitch a few times, and just a bulldog mentality,” Woodward said. “He's kind of loud and not afraid to give his opinion on things, but then you start to hear some of the answers he had to the questions, you start to get into the makeup, and this kid is pretty impressive.”
Woodward said that White has a high baseball IQ and wants to raise it more. He wants to hear more about how data can make him better. He also wants to shove at hitters, and that’s evident in the way he pitches.
White made a critical gaffe in his first start of the regular season, breaking his hand after slamming his fist into the ground following an error. He owned up to it and did whatever he could to get back on the mound.
The Rangers liked how he handled the mistake more than they disliked the mistake itself.
“You learn the difference between realizing your emotion from a competitive standpoint versus being emotional,” president of baseball operations Jon Daniels said Jan. 11. “The information we got from the rehab group in Arizona and, obviously, with him in the Fall League was very positive. We're all going to make mistakes. We're going to make them regularly. It's what you learn from it, and he's demonstrated that.”
Guzman returns
The Dominican Winter League has crowned its champion, the Gigantes del Cibao, and Ronald Guzman found his way onto the roster in time for the league finals.
He has played only one game as the reigning MVP of the league, going 1 for 3.
His goal was to play at some point this winter after undergoing season-ending knee surgery after a serious injury just a couple weeks into last season. He became a minor-league free agent earlier in the offseason when the Rangers started cleaning up their roster.
He expressed an interest in returning to the Rangers, who signed him in 2011. He lost out at first base last spring to Nathaniel Lowe despite having the better Cactus League numbers, and in an effort to stick on the roster attempted to play left field.
He was injured at Tropicana Field as he raced in from left field to try to catch a short flyball. His injury cleared a roster spot for Adolis Garcia, who blossomed into an American League All-Star.
The Rangers really don’t have a clear spot for Guzman on the Opening Day roster, though that’s not to say he couldn’t make the team. For instance, he could beat out Willie Calhoun at DH while also maintaining the ability to play first base and left field.
Personally, I would like to see Guzman return. Many of us in the media have known him since he was 18, and he’s about as nice a guy as you can find. And there’s also the late-bloomer theory, that players come at their own pace.
Maybe Guzman, who appeared to be blooming last winter, has found his pace.
ICYMI …
I have declared that Mondays henceforth will be my day to catch up on everything I’ve neglected the previous six days. If you’re in the same boat as I am, here is the latest from the Texas Rangers Newsletter, in case you missed it.
The Sunday Read: Last chance in 2022 for some Rangers
Friday on the Farm: Positive offseason developments
Rangers in Baseball America’s Top 100
Seiya Suzuki: necessity or luxury item?
Texas Rangers Baseball Podcast, with outfielder Evan Carter (link below)
Doggy video!
Warning: There’s a cat in this video … getting what it probably deserves. Enjoy. See you Tuesday.
Thanks, Jeff. Has Guzman signed a minor league deal? I'd love to see him back with the Rangers, and they need some depth at first base.