The Return of Tanner Scheppers

by Adam J. Morris on Jun 17, 2011 11:38 AM CDT

ANAHEIM CA - JULY 11: U.S. Futures All-Star Tanner Scheppers #26 of the Texas Rangers throws a pitch during the 2010 XM All-Star Futures Game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 11 2010 in Anaheim California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Per Richard Durrett and Jeff Wilson on Twitter, Tanner Scheppers has been activated from the disabled list and will be pitching in relief tonight for Frisco.

This is something to keep an eye on...Scheppers was going to be used as a starter in the minors this year, but given his injuries, the fact that we are now in mid-June, and the state of the Ranger bullpen, I would expect that the Rangers are going to have him pitch out of the pen in the minors for the foreseeable future.

When the Rangers drafted Scheppers in the 2009 draft, the belief was that he could move quickly as a reliever, with two 70 pitches (his fastball and his curve). I, for one, expected him to be in the majors a year ago.

With all the problems the Rangers are having in the bullpen -- particularly the state of their righthanded relief options -- I think Scheppers will get a chance to show he's healthy in the minors for the next few weeks. If he is healthy, and he pitches like everyone thinks he can pitch when he's healthy, I think he'll be up and pitching in the majors by August.

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Comments

God speed, Schep

See you in August

>mfw

by MonkeyEpoxy on Jun 17, 2011 11:40 AM CDT reply actions

July.

"I hope the image of my erect penis sears into your brain." by ab03 on Mar 24, 2011 9:13 PM CDT

by Brad on Jun 17, 2011 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions

Before the ASB

Not likely to happen, but dreams are the foundation of baseball, so dream away. - JParks

"You know you're from Dallas if the Blue Book value on your truck goes up and down depending on how much gas it has in it."

Eric Prince, Director, Department of the Obvious

by Eric Prince on Jun 17, 2011 2:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Our bullpen savior is here

Scheppers will cure all of our bullpen woes

By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.

"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw

by Gdawg on Jun 17, 2011 11:45 AM CDT reply actions

With Sheppers, the bullpenisstronger

"I hope the image of my erect penis sears into your brain." by ab03 on Mar 24, 2011 9:13 PM CDT

by Brad on Jun 17, 2011 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions

thepenismightier

Some see a glass half empty, some a glass half full. I see a glass that's twice as big as it needs to be. - George Carlin

by t ball on Jun 17, 2011 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions

thanthesword

Why don't you have a nice big cup of shut the fuck up? - Lisa W 3/4/2011

by iblum on Jun 17, 2011 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions

start studded night

on the mound in the Rangers minors tonight.

I know you're still struggling to find your way in LSB but you'd probably feel more comfortable in one of the other threads that talks about
weather, fashion, video games, uniform colors, etc. . - Josey Wales 5/18/11

by RangerMad on Jun 17, 2011 11:54 AM CDT reply actions

x

If he is healthy, and he pitches like everyone thinks he can pitch when he’s healthy, I think he’ll be up and pitching in the majors by mid July.

My Music Blog

by FuturePants on Jun 17, 2011 12:12 PM CDT reply actions

refuse to get my hopes up.

but I hope he does it.

"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz

"Baseball's all that's real" - JB

by Ryin A on Jun 17, 2011 12:12 PM CDT reply actions

Parks says there is concern about Scheppers ever being at full strength. But he thinks when Scheppers returns from his most recent trip to the trainer’s table, he will no longer be seen as a starter. The workload is not right for him, and the lack of a third pitch makes it difficult for him to succeed multiple times through a lineup. This would seem to work well with the Rangers’ urgent need for bullpen help.

The only way to adjust to major-league pitching is at the major league level. Scheppers’ two primary pitches are so good he could contribute very quickly if the transition to relief work was made. After a few appearances in AAA, he could be ready for a callup. Parks maintains he is the closest to contributing of any significant Rangers prospect.

Of course, that all assumes Scheppers returns in full health. Based on his track record, that may be too much to hope for.

"By MLB.TV, we can see J. Hamilton's homer, M. Young's clutch, and N. Feliz's explosive. All about Rangers things can be our interest" --South Korean Rangers fan

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by Conjunction on Jun 17, 2011 2:31 PM CDT reply actions