Tuesday Newsletter time: In season about development, these Texas Rangers players not named Adolis Garcia stand out
The right fielder was the team's Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year, but others also stepped forward.
Adolis Garcia positioned himself to be the Texas Rangers’ right fielder for the next several seasons after breaking through in 2021 as a 28-year-old rookie.
He swooned some after the All-Star Game, but still managed to finish the season with 31 home runs, 90 RBIs and 16 outfield assists. He also stole 16 bases, for those scoring at home.
Garcia is a strong candidate, perhaps the front-runner, to be American League Rookie of the Year, though a .243 average and .286 on-base percentage might turn off some voters.
The Rangers, though, found a player during a season that was all about finding out what they had. Garcia is the first one who comes to mind, but he isn’t he only one.
Here are four more:
Taylor Hearn, LHP: If someone wants to argue that Hearn’s development into a potential rotation piece is a bigger deal than Garcia, many would agree. It’s not like 6-foot-6 left-handers with an upper-90s fastball grow on trees. Hearn will be in the rotation next season. If he takes another step forward, he’ll be there for multiple seasons.
Andy Ibanez, INF: This rookie was one of the best hitters in baseball down the stretch. He wasn’t just slapping singles around, either. Ibanez can’t hit it out of the ballpark and find gaps for doubles. He also can play third base, second base, first base and left field. When spring training ends next year, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Ibanez was the starter at second base.
Joe Barlow, RHP: This hard-throwing reliever finally made it to the majors this season and was darn near unflappable. He showed no nerves closing out games, as he blew only one save, and has late-innings stuff. He likely won’t close full time in 2022 with fellow right-handers Jose Leclerc and Jonathan Hernandez returning from Tommy John surgery, but Barlow will be working in high-leverage situations.
Dane Dunning, RHP: The Rangers Pitcher of the Year, as voted by members of the DFW media who regularly cover the team, knows how to pitch with a sinker-slider combination. He didn’t finish the way he had hoped after being derailed by COVID-19. He was also shackled by innings limits in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery. Dunning will pitch off-leash in 2022.
Sighs of relief
Two right-handers returned to the mound last week at the instructional league after lengthy rehabs for elbow injuries, and neither pitcher’s arm fell off.
First up was Ricky Vanasco, who tossed a perfect inning in his first game since 2019 at then-Low A Hickory. Vanasco underwent Tommy John surgery in September 2020 after feeling his ulnar collateral ligament give while pitching at the alternate site.
Some believe Vanasco is the Rangers’ top pitching prospect, topping out at 100 mph with his fastball and complementing it with a plus-changeup.
TK Roby completed a scoreless inning in his first game since May at Low A Down East. The 2020 third-round pick had a tear in the UCL that did not require surgery but kept him from pitching again during the regular season.
The Rangers might be aggressive with both pitchers in 2022 if they remain healthy. Vanasco, for instance, could open at High A Hickory with the aim of quickly moving to Double A Frisco.
That was the path the Rangers chose this season for left-hander Cole Ragans, who hadn’t pitched since 2017 because of two Tommy John surgeries.
Do It For Durrett bidding opens
Many have asked in the past few years for the Do It For Durrett silent auction to go online. We have finally complied.
Bidding opens at 9 this morning at 32 Auctions. Anthony Andro, keeper of the auction items, and I tried to get as many ready for the launch as possible. Yes, more will be added before bidding closes Oct. 23.
Only the live auction, which features the big-ticket experiences, will be available at our Oct. 23 event at Legal Draft in Arlington. Those in attendance will be able to bid on the silent auction from their devices at the mobile-friendly 32auctions.com.
The decision to go online is due in part to COVID-19 still being a thing and some people not wanting to crowd around auction tables. There were also some space considerations, and going online has the potential to create more bidders and raise more money for area families affected by sudden loss.
There are some items I will be bidding on. Bid early, bid often and bid on your phones or laptops the night of the event.
Doggy video!
Looks like this dog finally got sweet revenge for some unknown wrong perpetrated on him by this bozo. Enjoy. See you Wednesday.
Jonathan Hernandez has some of the best stuff in the system. I still believe in his potential as a starting pitcher. After TJ, I'd hope he gets another look there.
Thanks for the updates from instructional league. Do you know if Aaron Zavala is attending? Any word on Evan Carter?
As of today, the Rangers will have only one player on contract for ‘23- Jose LeClerc. And it’s a team option. Both Odor & Andrus drop off. That bodes well for signing free agents. With the players you mention we may have a decent 2022.