The countdown to the regular season can officially begin: 46 days until Opening Day. Rangers pitchers and catchers came to the field in Surprise, Ariz. today for their first workout after reporting to camp yesterday.
With 31 ready and willing pitchers, the Rangers have more depth than the team is used to at a position that has forever plagued them. That means more competition, and the quality of spring performances will be more tightly judged.
I just hope the Rangers don’t misuse their depth and really do pick the best guys to stand atop the mound. As of now, the Rangers are saying that only starters Scott Feldman, Colby Lewis and Rich Harden have spots in the rotation. Feldman is on my right in the photo, and Brandon McCarthy is on my left.
On a team with a wobbly pitching history, there should be no promises.
I can see Feldman (17-8, 4.08 in 2009) getting a spot in the rotation, but he should have to earn it just like the other guys.
Just 9-9 last season with the Cubs, Harden has a rich history (no pun intended) of shoulder, elbow and back problems that keep him from his highest level. And let’s be honest and say that neither the Rangers nor their ballpark has a good track record of bringing out the best in pitchers.
Does Vicente Padilla ring a bell?
Lewis, who won 10 games for the Rangers in 2003, looks physically and mentally ready to the Rangers’ decision makers. But he played in Japan the past two years. A solid performance in the Japanese league combined with saying the right things should not be the ticket to an automatic rotation slot.
I am passionate about the Rangers and want to see the team excel. Spring Training is a time of crucial decisions, especially regarding pitchers, to make sure that happens. Go Rangers!
With 31 ready and willing pitchers, the Rangers have more depth than the team is used to at a position that has forever plagued them. That means more competition, and the quality of spring performances will be more tightly judged.
I just hope the Rangers don’t misuse their depth and really do pick the best guys to stand atop the mound. As of now, the Rangers are saying that only starters Scott Feldman, Colby Lewis and Rich Harden have spots in the rotation. Feldman is on my right in the photo, and Brandon McCarthy is on my left.
On a team with a wobbly pitching history, there should be no promises.
I can see Feldman (17-8, 4.08 in 2009) getting a spot in the rotation, but he should have to earn it just like the other guys.
Just 9-9 last season with the Cubs, Harden has a rich history (no pun intended) of shoulder, elbow and back problems that keep him from his highest level. And let’s be honest and say that neither the Rangers nor their ballpark has a good track record of bringing out the best in pitchers.
Does Vicente Padilla ring a bell?
Lewis, who won 10 games for the Rangers in 2003, looks physically and mentally ready to the Rangers’ decision makers. But he played in Japan the past two years. A solid performance in the Japanese league combined with saying the right things should not be the ticket to an automatic rotation slot.
I am passionate about the Rangers and want to see the team excel. Spring Training is a time of crucial decisions, especially regarding pitchers, to make sure that happens. Go Rangers!
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