Power Pros Forum

Looking to build off an unusual 2020 season, the Texas Rangers this offseason made a variety of changes, bringing in 22-year-old Emmett Watts to spearhead the team's rebuilding process. Born in Wellington, NZ, Watts took an interest in baseball from a young age, and always dreamed of the day she would get an opportunity to lead a professional team. While she has no prior experience, and doesn't even possess a college degree, Watts is a bright mind who has surrounded herself with a talented player development and scouting staff. Jon Daniels will remain in a special assistant role, and Alex Burg was promoted from coordinator, run prevention to bench coach. Veteran hitting coach Thad Bosley will fill that role on the major-league staff, and Bryan Conger was promoted to fill the pitching coach role. Doug Mathis (pitching), Brendan Sagara (pitching), and Luis Ortiz (hitting) will all have roles within the organization's new structure. Additionally, the team hired former Ranger closer Akinori Otsuka as a minor-league coach, and also added former players Javy Lopez, Clay Rapada, and Barry Bonds, the biggest name of all.

On the personnel side, the team made a ton of moves, while hanging on to most of the young talent developed under the previous regime. Four former players were brought back to the major-league roster, in the forms of starting pitcher Cole Hamels, reliever Alex Claudio, first baseman Mitch Moreland, and utility player Leury Garcia. The team also signed left-handed-hitting outfielders Brett Gardner and Joc Pederson to compete for playing time at left field, designated hitter, and center field with Albert Almora Jr. and Mikie Mahtook providing right-handed complements. They also made three selections in the Rule 5 draft, selecting starting pitcher Huascar Ynoa, catcher Ronaldo Hernandez, and veteran reliever Aaron Loup. Finally, the Rangers traded for starting pitcher David Price, catching prospect Keibert Ruiz, and pitching prospect Mitch White from the Dodgers.

All together, the team's initial Spring Training roster is below:

Right-handed pitchers (23): Joe Barlow, Gerson Bautista, Sam Delaplane, Demarcus Evans, Ian Gibaut, Jordan Guerrero, Ian Hamilton, Jimmy Herget, Jonathan Hernandez, Nate Karns, Marshall Kasowski, Nick Kingham, Corey Kluber, Jose Leclerc, Lance Lynn, Keynan Middleton, Rafael Montero, James Norwood, Tyler Phillips, Roger Silva, Mitch White, Kirby Yates, Huascar Ynoa

Left-handed pitchers (8): Kolby Allard, Jayson Aquino, Wes Benjamin, Brock Burke, Alex Claudio, Cole Hamels, Aaron Loup, David Price

Catchers (5): Ronaldo Hernandez, Sam Huff, Keibert Ruiz, Jose Trevino, Daulton Varsho

Infielders (13): Elvis Andrus, Sherten Apostel, Derrik Gibson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Shed Long Jr., Mitch Moreland, Anthony Pieters, Luis Rengifo, Elliot Soto, Anderson Tejeda, Curtis Terry, Sam Travis, Evan White

Outfielders (11): Albert Almora Jr., Jaff Decker, Joey Gallo, Adolis Garcia, Leury Garcia, Brett Gardner, Jahmai Jones, Mikie Mahtook, Joc Pederson, Leody Taveras, Eli White