BA Ranger report is up

by tricer on Feb 4, 2008 9:58 AM CST Comment 11 comments

This quote seems right on the money regarding the Rangers future:

The Rangers expect to continue their rebuilding process in 2008, field a competitive team by 2009 and make a serious playoff run in 2010. In addition to the foundation in the farm system, Texas has whom it regards as a few core players to build around at the big league level, including outfielder Josh Hamilton (brought over in an offseason trade with the Reds for righthander Edinson Volquez), second baseman Ian Kinsler, righthander Brandon McCarthy, Saltalamacchia and shortstop Michael Young.

Projected 2011 lineup seems a bit puzzling in several ways, including that Davis' scouting report is pretty clear that he will wind up at 1B, and Kinsler at DH while Young is at 2B seems ridiculous.

Catcher Taylor Teagarden
First Base Jarrod Saltalamacchia
Second Base Michael Young
Third Base Chris Davis
Shortstop Elvis Andrus
Left Field Engel Beltre
Center Field Julio Borbon
Right Field Josh Hamilton
Designated Hitter Ian Kinsler
No. 1 Starter Eric Hurley
No. 2 Starter Neftali Feliz
No. 3 Starter Michael Main
No. 4 Starter Blake Beavan
No. 5 Starter Brandon McCarthy
Closer Kasey Kiker

The scouting report on #5 prospect Feliz is tantalizing:

Background: Feliz could wind up as the crown jewel of the Mark Teixeira haul. Rather than blowing hitters away with his fastball after the trade, he focused on developing his secondary stuff and still struck out 27 in just 15 innings.

Strengths: With some time to refine his command, Feliz's fastball could rate as an 80 on the 20-80 scouting scale. With a smooth, effortless arm action, he pumps heaters that sit at 94-97 mph and touch 99, exploding on hitters. He is athletic and a hard worker.

Weaknesses: Feliz flashes a promising three-quarters breaking ball in the high 70s, but it's inconsistent. One day he'll show a plus curve with very good depth, and the next day he'll drop his arm, causing the pitch to flatten out and spin but not bite. He tends to throw his changeup too hard, right into hitters' bat speeds, but he has some feel for the pitch and made progress with it in instructional league. He shows good control but not command.

The Future: Feliz has a chance to open 2008 as a 19-year-old at low Class A Clinton, but he's still a long way from the majors. If it all comes together for him, he has the potential to be a true No. 1 starter, though some scouts see him as a flame-throwing closer down the road.

Chat with Aaron Fitt today at 1 pm:
http://tinyurl.com/25ux5y

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i'll delete mine

yours looks so much more nicer.

It's interesting to see that they have Feliz as a starter and Kiker as the closer...

Should have traded for Kobe when they had the chance...

by Longhorn on Feb 4, 2008 10:00 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

KK

Kiker's scouting report says that he was repeatedly hitting 97 in the MWL playoff game, which is especially encouraging. Also his changeup is characterized as a plus pitch, and his curve is a "plus pitch at times".

Juevos Daniels: biggest stones in the business.

by tricer on Feb 4, 2008 10:19 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Feliz and Kiker

Nice things to see on these two, Feliz sounds like he has one of the better fastballs in the minors if they suggest that it can be an 80 with a little more command, those are hard to come by. Seeing that Kiker was hitting 97 is encouraging as there were reports that his velocity had been slipping. I'm wondering if he sits at 91-93 and can tune it up to 97 or if he is more around 93-94ish. At any rate why would anyone want to project him to the pen, only 19 and reportedly has a plus change and atleast a decent curve.

by groundingout on Feb 4, 2008 8:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Does Verlander's FB

rate an 80? Zumaya?

I don't want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want someone else to go chase it. ~Rogers Hornsby

by RangerMad on Feb 4, 2008 11:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Verlander/Zumaya

With Zumaya hitting 104 on radar guns, albiet the guns they show at the games, and having movement, I'm sure his would be an 80. I havent seen Verlander pitch a ton but from what I've seen he sits at 93-96 with the ability to run it up in the high 90's for stretches at a time including touching 100. I don't remember much movement on Verlander's fastball but with the command he has with it I'd say there is a good chance its an 80.

by groundingout on Feb 5, 2008 1:27 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

2011

I think what they go off of is who is currently under contract or will still be under club control that year. Since Blalock will be a FSA after 2009 unless we resign him they had to go with Davis at 3rd.

My 2011 lineup I think will look something like this

C: Teagarden, Salty
1B: Davis
2B: Young, Kinsler
3B: Blalock
SS: Andrus
LF: Mayberry Jr
CF: Borbon
RF: Hamilton
DH: Young, Kinsler
SP: McCarthy, Hurley, Harrison, Kiker, Poveda
CL: Diamond

I think Main, Feliz and Beavan will be in OKC ready to be called up if an injury happens. Beltre could be in LF by then but most likely will need another year in the minors.

Obviously the future looks very bright. Starting next winter the Rangers can seriously start looking to add that key veteran FA that will help them get over the hump.

by Steven on Feb 4, 2008 10:25 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

where is Max Ramirez?

I'd have him DHing and Kinsler at 2nd, maybe Young at 3rd if no Hank, or Young traded

otherwise I like your lineup.

I'd have Main in the rotation with either McCarthy or Harrison washing out, I think he's going to be special

"No, Donny, these men are nihilists, there's nothing to be afraid of."

by Walter Sobchak on Feb 5, 2008 12:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Geesh

I just can't wait for 2011. lol

by LBrooks on Feb 4, 2008 2:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Why?

are the price of diapers going down then?

by mrpman on Feb 4, 2008 6:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Halleleuia/hallelujah

I wish they could switch up the reviewers. Aaron Fitt is the least of BA's writers, in my freedom-loving opinion.

And of course, B&N is sending my book via pony express, AKA UPS Ground.

Hey, we came by at 10:30 am, but you weren't home. We'll come by at 10:30 am tomorrow, and 10:30 am the day after that, in case you don't work for a living. During the day. Away from home.

What can brown do for you? Well, it can make me think of shit streaks and anal leakage, which makes me think of lbrooks.

That's what.

Rex Hudler is in demand as a motivational speaker.

by Brian Thomas on Feb 4, 2008 3:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs