Texas Rangers spring training is in full gear, and though it’s still early, you can start to make out the opening day roster if you squint your eyes.
Of course, there’s always a surprise or two.
After having spent the last two-plus weeks in Surprize, Ariz., at spring training, Rangers insider Evan Grant offered up his knowledge to the masses in a live Q&A on Friday afternoon.
Among the (non-burger-related) questions fielded by Evan: Are there any non-roster invitees or otherwise surprising players who could wind up on the opening day roster?
Rangers
The Rangers have a few candidates who have already impressed in Surprise, and could carve themselves out a roster spot should they keep it going through March.
Check out what Evan had to say below, and watch the full Q&A session here.
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Question: Is it possible a non-roster invitee makes the opening day roster?
Grant: “Well I think it’s very possible that Mark Canha makes the roster as one of the extra bats. He can also play some first base, he can play the outfield, he can be a right-handed DH against left-handers, if you want him to. The Rangers signed him with the intent of making the team.
“Canha’s coming off a bad year, no doubt. The Rangers got him because he fit into a budget that just had no real room for, not even making a splash but a ripple. … It’s not like there weren’t other bats to be had, but the Rangers just didn’t have the money. So I do think on the position player side, yeah, I think it’s real possible that Mark Canha [makes the roster]. I think he’d probably be the only non-roster guy on the position player side.
“I do think there’s a scenario where Cal Quantrill makes the staff. Let’s say the Rangers really determine that they’re committed to Jacob Latz being in the bullpen, particularly in April when the Rangers have to come out of the gate fast, and when they’re going to need some piggyback opportunities for pitchers who will be on pitch counts.
“If the Rangers decide that’s the way they wanna go, and Kumar Rocker doesn’t convince them that he’s ready for the rotation, I think Cal Quantrill could be an option in that rotation. Right now, the intent is for Kumar to make this team.”
Question: Is Carter Baumler making the opening day roster?
Grant: “I think right now, I’d answer in the affirmative. I think the Rangers are very impressed with what they’ve seen, but as Skip Schumaker has said every day when we ask him questions about the roster: It’s February 27th. There’s a long month [ahead], Baumler hasn’t pitched in back-to-back games yet, he hasn’t really faced guys, hasn’t faced a lot of big-league hitters … He’s been pitching later in games so he’s been facing most minor-league call-ups.
“So there’s plenty of time to really figure that out, but first impressions have been ‘yes.’ And the Rangers drafted him [in the Rule 5] with the intent of keeping him on the roster. It would have to go sideways for him to not make the roster.”
See the rest of Friday’s livestream here:
Signed by Skip: See photos of Rangers’ new manager, more from spring training in Arizona
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