tOfficial 2015 Season Thread

[Windingmywatch]

Okay ... TEX is 7-13 and faces King Felix tonight in the last game of April. What changes do they make if any as we enter May?

 

[romeo212000]

Okay ... TEX is 7-13 and faces King Felix tonight in the last game of April. What changes do they make if any as we enter May?

What changes do they make, or should they make?

They should be telling Magadan he's got till the end of May to show improvement or he's gone. When the entire team is hitting so poorly, and even worse with RISP, it means there is something very wrong with the voice leading the charge.

They should put Choo on the 15 day DL when Hamilton is ready and let him try to get his shit together at around Rock.

They should stop playing Rosales more than once a week, regardless of who's on the mound.

They should send a message a couple of times to the team that when you do something flat out stupid, you get to take a seat on the bench.

Whether any of these things will happen, remains to be seen, but I have my doubts.

 

[Xx srs bsns xX]

Honestly, I'm just kinda at a loss for words at the moment. I knew it would be somewhat of a "rebuilding/retooling" year. (with hopefully everyone staying healthy -- so that we could see what/where there needs to be improvement for next season) (either via trade, etc).

But there are only 2 bright spots on the team right now. Nick Martinez & Shawn Tolleson.

No one on the offense is doing anything. NO. ONE.
Ok, maybe Prince...but his lack of power so far is a bit concerning. Some might say its just the cool weather and that when the temps rise, so will the ball......... we'll see.
But other than Prince, everyone is horrid.

Beltre has 2 RBI. 2. DESHIELDS has 2 RBI. As does Corporan. COMBINED, they have 39 at-bats. Beltre has 80.
Choo is literally laughable right now. .096?! Choo has 1 more hit than Jason Hammel. For the season. Hammel is a pitcher.
Elvis - repeat of last season so far.
Odor - what happened to him?? To me, it appears he lost his grit. That "i'm going to kick your ass" approach.

This team needs a reality check and quick.

Its just ridiculous.

 

[romeo212000]

Josh Hamilton goes 1-for-3 in first rehab start

Not much news really, but whatever.

 

[Windingmywatch]

I think every five days or so one of us needs to write something to record for posterity the exploits of Colby Lewis.

In his career he's only made $14mil and change. Gallardo makes $14mil this year. Holland makes $7.4mil. Harrison makes $13mil.

Seems like he's on his 3rd 1 year contract after his initial 2 year contract with TEX in 2010 where he got $2mil in 2011.

Nobody walks off he mound like Colby Lewis.

Colby has been written out of the next season rotation plan ... how many times? And he still comes out and pitches showing that HE is the TORP.

I don't think Colby Lewis every retires. Maybe he is in the rotation again next year but why not in 2016 - 2017 ... maybe Colby is TEX closer. I'd be far more comfortable seeing Colby in that job than Feliz right now.

If you are the team headed clearly to the 2015 post season ... what will be the number of prospects a team will be willing to give up to trade them to TEX for Colby Lewis.

And then he just resigns with TEX again for chump change to pitch again in 2016.

 

[Xx srs bsns xX]

So during his chat today... K. Law stated that this guy is high up on the Rangers radar. (as in he might be who they take, from what he's heard) (but he's also heard that Brendan Rodgers might fall to the Rangers at 4)

Walker Buehler: 2015 MLB Draft Prospect Profile - ESPN

Walker Buehler
Buehler would have been a high pick in 2012 if he didn't have such a strong commitment to Vanderbilt, but to say his stock has risen since he became a Commodore is an understatement, with many believing he's the best pitching prospect in the 2015 draft class.

Despite his somewhat diminutive stature, Walker has a plus fastball, sitting 91-94 mph last season and touching 96 with movement. He throws both a slider and a curve, and while both pitches are quality, I think the curve is the best pitch in Buehler's arsenal. There's loads of spin, and its hard downward break is difficult for hitters to pick up.

With that being said, there's no reason for Buehler to give up his slider, as it's an above-average offering with good tilt in the mid-80s. The change is the most inconsistent of Buehler's pitches, but it flashes plus with deception from arm speed and some fade to the pitch, as well.

Buehler repeats his athletic delivery very well, and he pounds the strike zone with all four of his pitches, showing the ability to pitch backward, as well.

The only concern with Buehler right now is whether or not his small frame can handle the rigors of the 200 innings you'd expect from a top-five selection. The bullpen isn't out of the question because of his size, but I see a potential No. 2 who might not be an innings-eater but will miss plenty of bats over his 180 to 190 innings.

 

[Windingmywatch]

I think when all the documentaries are filmed ... all the books written ... and the HOF opens a new wing ... this is going to be called the Kyuji Fujikawa Era.

 

[Windingmywatch]

Extracted from Scott Lucas daily Farm Report ... Friday May 22, 2015 ... for those who don't get it.

Position Players of the First Quarter (35 games)

This isn't purely a performance or prospect list. I take every player's stats, prospect status, position, level, age and my personal observations, and I arrange the players as I see fit. My WAR (Wins Above Replacement) calculations include a positional adjustment and stolen bases but not quality of defense (in essence, I'm assuming everyone is average) or other aspects of base running.

1. Williams, Nick (Age 21.7, 1.3 WAR, AA) -- .315/.369/.510, 6 HR, 16 XBH,4 SB, 8% BB,15% SO
2. Gallo, Joey (Age 21.5, 1.4 WAR, AA) -- .324/.440/.608, 4 HR, 12 XBH,1 SB, 18% BB,35% SO
3. Mazara, Nomar (Age 20.0, 1.2 WAR, AA) -- .323/.396/.417, 1 HR, 9 XBH,0 SB, 10% BB,21% SO
4. Cordell, Ryan (Age 23.1, 1.3 WAR, hi-A) -- .313/.369/.524, 6 HR, 16 XBH,4 SB, 8% BB,19% SO
5. Robinson, Drew (Age 23.0, 1.2 WAR, AA) -- .214/.370/.462, 8 HR, 13 XBH,7 SB, 19% BB,23% SO
6. Telis, Tomas (Age 23.9, 1.0 WAR, AAA) -- .333/.368/.452, 3 HR, 9 XBH,1 SB, 5% BB,8% SO
7. Alberto, Hanser (Age 22.5, 1.0 WAR, AAA) -- .305/.321/.443, 2 HR, 11 XBH,3 SB, 2% BB,10% SO

Yes, Gallo had the best WAR despite missing 40% of the quarter. I ranked Williams ahead for his astonishing improvement in plate discipline. Telis and Alberto are the best defenders. Honestly, I think you could take the top seven and order them almost any way you like.

Starting Pitchers of the First Quarter

1. Lopez, Frank, (Age 21.2, 0.9 WAR, hi-A) -- 35.2 IP, 3.28 ERA, 4.00 FIP, 2.8% HR, 6% BB+HBP, 23% SO
2. Ortiz, Luis, (Age 19.6, 1.0 WAR, lo-A) -- 22.1 IP, 0.40 ERA, 2.46 FIP, 1.1% HR, 3% BB+HBP, 24% SO
3. Jurado, Ariel (Age 19.3, 0.9 WAR, lo-A) -- 34.0 IP, 3.44 ERA, 3.14 FIP, 2.3% HR, 3% BB+HBP, 23% SO
4. Martin, Brett, (Age 20.0, 0.9 WAR, lo-A) -- 31.1 IP, 2.01 ERA, 3.36 FIP, 1.7% HR, 6% BB+HBP, 22% SO
5. Wiles, Collin (Age 20.9, 1.0 WAR, lo-A) -- 33.1 IP, 1.08 ERA, 3.40 FIP, 0.0% HR, 10% BB+HBP, 15% SO
6. Gonzalez, Chi Chi (Age 23.3, 0.7 WAR, AAA) -- 37.1 IP, 4.10 ERA, 4.22 FIP, 1.3% HR, 10% BB+HBP, 14% SO

Hickory's rotation has been outstanding (they're #2 through #5), but I've reserved the top spot for Lopez, who's pitched in one of baseball's most hostile environments for pitchers. Gonzalez has performed best among the upper-level starters, all of whom have endured some difficulties.

Relievers of the First Quarter

Short Relief
1. Ege, Cody (Age 24.0, 0.6 WAR, hi-A/AA) -- 20.0 IP, 1.80 ERA, 2.98 FIP, 2.4% HR, 11% BB+HBP, 40% SO
2. Fasola, John (Age, 23.4, 0.4 WAR, lo-A) -- 12.0 IP, 3.00 ERA, 0.63 FIP, 0.0% HR, 4% BB+HBP, 43% SO
3. Mendoza, Francisco (Age 27.4, 0.6 WAR, AA/AAA) -- 18.2 IP, 0.48 ERA, 2.25 FIP, 0.0% HR, 9% BB+HBP, 27% SO
4. Patton, Spencer (Age 27.2, 0.5 WAR, AAA) -- 11.1 IP, 0.79 ERA, 1.60 FIP, 0.0% HR, 8% BB+HBP, 32% SO
5. Pirela, Jesus Age 26.1, 0.4 WAR, AA) -- 16.2 IP, 3.24 ERA, 1.89 FIP, 0.0% HR, 11% BB+HBP, 34% SO

Ege struck out nearly 50% of opponents in High Desert, while Fasola has been nearly that effective as Hickory's closer.

Long Relief
1. Reyes, Jimmy (Age 26.2, 0.9 WAR) -- 24.2 IP, 0.73 ERA, 2.41 FIP, 0.0% HR, 2% BB+HBP, 16% SO
2. Parks, Adam (Age 22.6, 0.7 WAR) -- 24.0 IP, 3.00 ERA, 1.96 FIP, 1.0% HR, 7% BB+HBP, 35% SO

The lefty Reyes isn't a hard thrower but hasn't allowed the hard hits that marred his first run through AAA last year.

 

[jta4437]

Extracted from Scott Lucas daily Farm Report ... Friday May 22, 2015 ... for those who don't get it.

Position Players of the First Quarter (35 games)

This isn't purely a performance or prospect list. I take every player's stats, prospect status, position, level, age and my personal observations, and I arrange the players as I see fit. My WAR (Wins Above Replacement) calculations include a positional adjustment and stolen bases but not quality of defense (in essence, I'm assuming everyone is average) or other aspects of base running.

1. Williams, Nick (Age 21.7, 1.3 WAR, AA) -- .315/.369/.510, 6 HR, 16 XBH,4 SB, 8% BB,15% SO
2. Gallo, Joey (Age 21.5, 1.4 WAR, AA) -- .324/.440/.608, 4 HR, 12 XBH,1 SB, 18% BB,35% SO
3. Mazara, Nomar (Age 20.0, 1.2 WAR, AA) -- .323/.396/.417, 1 HR, 9 XBH,0 SB, 10% BB,21% SO
4. Cordell, Ryan (Age 23.1, 1.3 WAR, hi-A) -- .313/.369/.524, 6 HR, 16 XBH,4 SB, 8% BB,19% SO
5. Robinson, Drew (Age 23.0, 1.2 WAR, AA) -- .214/.370/.462, 8 HR, 13 XBH,7 SB, 19% BB,23% SO
6. Telis, Tomas (Age 23.9, 1.0 WAR, AAA) -- .333/.368/.452, 3 HR, 9 XBH,1 SB, 5% BB,8% SO
7. Alberto, Hanser (Age 22.5, 1.0 WAR, AAA) -- .305/.321/.443, 2 HR, 11 XBH,3 SB, 2% BB,10% SO

Yes, Gallo had the best WAR despite missing 40% of the quarter. I ranked Williams ahead for his astonishing improvement in plate discipline. Telis and Alberto are the best defenders. Honestly, I think you could take the top seven and order them almost any way you like.

Starting Pitchers of the First Quarter

1. Lopez, Frank, (Age 21.2, 0.9 WAR, hi-A) -- 35.2 IP, 3.28 ERA, 4.00 FIP, 2.8% HR, 6% BB+HBP, 23% SO
2. Ortiz, Luis, (Age 19.6, 1.0 WAR, lo-A) -- 22.1 IP, 0.40 ERA, 2.46 FIP, 1.1% HR, 3% BB+HBP, 24% SO
3. Jurado, Ariel (Age 19.3, 0.9 WAR, lo-A) -- 34.0 IP, 3.44 ERA, 3.14 FIP, 2.3% HR, 3% BB+HBP, 23% SO
4. Martin, Brett, (Age 20.0, 0.9 WAR, lo-A) -- 31.1 IP, 2.01 ERA, 3.36 FIP, 1.7% HR, 6% BB+HBP, 22% SO
5. Wiles, Collin (Age 20.9, 1.0 WAR, lo-A) -- 33.1 IP, 1.08 ERA, 3.40 FIP, 0.0% HR, 10% BB+HBP, 15% SO
6. Gonzalez, Chi Chi (Age 23.3, 0.7 WAR, AAA) -- 37.1 IP, 4.10 ERA, 4.22 FIP, 1.3% HR, 10% BB+HBP, 14% SO

Hickory's rotation has been outstanding (they're #2 through #5), but I've reserved the top spot for Lopez, who's pitched in one of baseball's most hostile environments for pitchers. Gonzalez has performed best among the upper-level starters, all of whom have endured some difficulties.

Relievers of the First Quarter

Short Relief
1. Ege, Cody (Age 24.0, 0.6 WAR, hi-A/AA) -- 20.0 IP, 1.80 ERA, 2.98 FIP, 2.4% HR, 11% BB+HBP, 40% SO
2. Fasola, John (Age, 23.4, 0.4 WAR, lo-A) -- 12.0 IP, 3.00 ERA, 0.63 FIP, 0.0% HR, 4% BB+HBP, 43% SO
3. Mendoza, Francisco (Age 27.4, 0.6 WAR, AA/AAA) -- 18.2 IP, 0.48 ERA, 2.25 FIP, 0.0% HR, 9% BB+HBP, 27% SO
4. Patton, Spencer (Age 27.2, 0.5 WAR, AAA) -- 11.1 IP, 0.79 ERA, 1.60 FIP, 0.0% HR, 8% BB+HBP, 32% SO
5. Pirela, Jesus Age 26.1, 0.4 WAR, AA) -- 16.2 IP, 3.24 ERA, 1.89 FIP, 0.0% HR, 11% BB+HBP, 34% SO

Ege struck out nearly 50% of opponents in High Desert, while Fasola has been nearly that effective as Hickory's closer.

Long Relief
1. Reyes, Jimmy (Age 26.2, 0.9 WAR) -- 24.2 IP, 0.73 ERA, 2.41 FIP, 0.0% HR, 2% BB+HBP, 16% SO
2. Parks, Adam (Age 22.6, 0.7 WAR) -- 24.0 IP, 3.00 ERA, 1.96 FIP, 1.0% HR, 7% BB+HBP, 35% SO

The lefty Reyes isn't a hard thrower but hasn't allowed the hard hits that marred his first run through AAA last year.

I literally just was talking about all those Hickory pitchers the other day

 

[Windingmywatch]

Came across this on line this morning while searching for something else (as is always the case) ...

Genealogy of Baseball Teams HistoryShots InfoArt

Pretty cool "map" of the genealogy of baseball teams from the beginning of the cooling of the earth.

 

[HammerDown]

Wow, two of the top three busiest threads on SportsHoopla last week were on the Rangers board.

 

[romeo212000]

We do what we can. Just imagine what happens if the Rangers can somehow become contenders again.

 

[Bmurph]

There has been some traffic from others showing up here for a visits as well, lately. We have lots of good baseball talk around here, mixed in with our bitching about the woes of our favorite baseball team. Good to see our offense making a showing this month. If they had just showed up half the games in April, we might be a lot closer to the Stros

 

[Windingmywatch]

Here's a link to Cot's Baseball Contracts ... Texas Rangers | Cot's Baseball Contracts

Didn't mean to post this ... but it loaded ... so here are the contracts current up through the Hamilton acquisition.


Something to consider ... Colby basically signs year to year at $4mil each as the #2 RH SP behind Yu.

In 2016 Gallardo costs TEX $10mil with MIL paying $4mil. I suspect TEX trades him at the deadline for prospects and then trying to sign him for 2016 when he becomes a free agent in November as the #2 RH SP behind Yu and in front of then 36 year old Colby. But TEX isn't going to get Gallardo for what they pay Colby.

Gallardo's TV spots all talk about how its great to be home ... but I suspect that's marketing to get the fans out as opposed to trying to prenegotiate a spot on the 2016+ roster by offering a 'home down discount'.

If Colby pitches the rest of the way like he has the first two months ... I'd offer him the same deal he got for this season with perhaps some performance bumps. At his price it is smart to sign Lewis.

Gallardo has to compete with not only Colby but Nick Martinez, Chi Chi Gonzalez and Nick Tepesch. They are all younger, cheaper and may perform on average equal to if not superior to Gallardo.

 

[Xx srs bsns xX]

Not gonna lie -- this is pretty good.

 

[Bmurph]

Rangers marketing the hell out of that Josh Hamilton acquisition and its paying dividends so far

 

[Windingmywatch]

Adam J. Morris ‏@lonestarball 6m6 minutes ago
Adam J. Morris retweeted Ken Rosenthal

Trumbo at Safeco. Tee hee.

Adam J. Morris added,

Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
Sources: Deal is Trumbo, Nuno from #DBacks to #Mariners for Castillo, Leone and two prospects.

Not sure the value of Trumbo at Safeco either. At Safeco his line is lower than his career line and that would be against SEA pitching.

On Nuno: Wonder if there is an increasing market premium for LHP going to TEX' ALW opponents? Seems like every team TEX plays has stuffed bullpens with LHP before they meet TEX.

The thing is ... the more TEX LH hitters see LHP ... the less of an effect they have. This would be much like for the most part RHP do not have as much of an advantage in facing RH batters as LHP over LH hitters. BTW ... Mitch is hitting LHP better than RHP.

 

[jta4437]

Adam J. Morris ‏@lonestarball 6m6 minutes ago
Adam J. Morris retweeted Ken Rosenthal

Trumbo at Safeco. Tee hee.

Adam J. Morris added,

Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
Sources: Deal is Trumbo, Nuno from #DBacks to #Mariners for Castillo, Leone and two prospects.

Not sure the value of Trumbo at Safeco either. At Safeco his line is lower than his career line and that would be against SEA pitching.

On Nuno: Wonder if there is an increasing market premium for LHP going to TEX' ALW opponents? Seems like every team TEX plays has stuffed bullpens with LHP before they meet TEX.

The thing is ... the more TEX LH hitters see LHP ... the less of an effect they have. This would be much like for the most part RHP do not have as much of an advantage in facing RH batters as LHP over LH hitters. BTW ... Mitch is hitting LHP better than RHP.

I bet he's an improvement over Morrison long term

 

[Windingmywatch]

I bet he's an improvement over Morrison long term

SEA depending on the prospects is giving up quite a bit for a long term upgrade and a LH RP. Am sure they know best.

 

[jta4437]

SEA depending on the prospects is giving up quite a bit for a long term upgrade and a LH RP. Am sure they know best.

I think they already said the pitcher is going to the rotation, whether he's any good is another story