Monday Morning Texas Rangers Update

Good morning. The MLB Draft begins today. You may be wondering why you should care about some high schoolers who you won’t get see in the bigs until the Rangers are playing in their new stadium.

Perhaps you’re especially dubious because the Rangers don’t select until pick No. 26. Well, Mike Trout lasted until pick No. 25. The Rangers also have pick No. 29 today. In 2012 they selected Sweet Lew Brinson, who made his MLB Debut yesterday (sadly, not for the Rangers) with the 29th selection.

Ten picks after the Rangers selected Brinson, they picked a kid named Joseph Nicholas Gallo. A few picks after that, the Astros selected Lance McCullers Jr.

So even if 25 kids will be grabbed before the Rangers get their shot, there is always intrigue when it comes to the MLB Draft whether that manifests as Lulu Ortiz dreams or Kevin Matthews nightmares.

Levi Weaver recaps yesterday’s 5-1 win where starter Austin Bibens-Dirkx gave every Independent League player something to smile about.

Evan Grant writes that all it took for ABD to go out and out-duel Max Scherzer was a pep talk from the wife.

Jeff Wilson’s reactions to the win yesterday is a call for more ABD.

T.R. Sullivan’s game story focuses on, yes, ABD but also the fact that the Rangers went to Washington and swept one of the NL’s leading contenders.

Grant writes that the sweep gives the Rangers some confidence as folks assumed this stretch of games would be the funeral procession portion of the season while Texas now sits just two games out of a playoff spot.

Sullivan takes a look at the draft where the Rangers have the goal of replenishing their farm system.

In an ESPN Insider piece, Eric Longenhagen looks at each team’s strengths and weakness on the farm ahead of the draft.

Joe Sparacio ranks Elvis Andrus as one of baseball’s most underrated players in 2017. Let’s get Elvis into the All-Star Game!

Kevin Carter had the difficult task of scouting Connor Sadzeck who profiles as a reliever but still hasn’t given up on starting.

Sullivan notes that even though he was blasted for eight runs in his most recent rehab start, Tyson Ross is ready to join the rotation and his next start will be as a Ranger.

Wilson writes that tonight’s starter Yu Darvish is aware of the home run trend in baseball and is ready to make adjustments.

And, lastly, the Big League Stew blog noticed that Levi Weaver captured a reenactment of the famous Joey Gallo/Bryce Harper Little League photo during yesterday’s game.

Have a nice day!