Rangers In Depth: Part 1

Lincoln here to take a close look at the roster of the 2007 Texas Rangers. Our Mock Draft will be updated soon.

Position Players

Kenny Lofton CF - The forty year old center fielder should hit lead off for 100-120 games this year. Lofton filled the hole in center and at the top of the line up that GMJ's departure created. Signed for one year and six mil, Lofton should provide good batting average, decent eye at the plate, some speed at the top of the order, and slightly below average defense in center. The former 17th round pick of the Astros out of the University of Arizona is now in his 17th big league season, Lofton is now playing for his 11th team. A six time all star and four time gold glove winner, Lofton has maintained his skill set surprisingly well in the later stages of his career. Expect a .290 batting average and .350 on base percentage.

Frank Catalanotto LF/DH - Catalanotto is now in his second stint with the Rangers. On Novermber 2, 1999 Cat, along with Gabe Kapler, Justin Thompson, Coco Cordero, Alan Webb, and Bill Haselman were sent to the Rangers from the Tigers for Juan Gonzalez, Danny Patterson, and Gregg Zaun. Cat is now the only person from that trade to be on the team he was traded to and though not the focal point of the deal has carved out a very nice niche for himself in the bigs. Left handed hitting Catalanotto has excellent bat control and a great eye at the plate. After two years of nearly identical production in Toronto, Frank signed a 3 year/$13.5 mil deal with a club option for 2010. After coming up as an infielder, Cat's much maligned defense forced him into some what of a utility role throughout most of his career. However while with the Blue Jays, Cat played almost exclusively left field and using Clay Davenport's defensive metrics, Il gatto piccolo has been an above average defensive outfielder for the last two years. Expect .300/.365/.450

Michael Young SS - The franchise. If he played in New York he'd be Jeter. A guy who has never had anything handed to him, worked for everything he's ever got. Blocked in the Blue Jays organization by Cesar Izturis, Young was traded to the Rangers for Esteban Loaiza in the summer of 2000 (the best trade the Rangers have ever made.) He played a good second base, but couldn't hit enough. So then he hit. Only after Randy Velarde got hurt giving Young an opportunity. After A-Rod jumps ship, Young volunteers to move positions. He can hit, but struggles in the field. So then he became a gold glove caliber SS. You all already know this, expect everything from Michael Young...this guy will never disappoint you.

Mark Teixeira 1B - The 5th overall pick in the great 2001 draft, Big Tex is a big time player -- think a young Eddie Murray. Tex had a very interesting season in 06, his first half wasn't near as bad as people made it out to be -- he was just lacking home runs. For what ever reason his homers turned into doubles in the first half but started going over the wall again post all star break. Tex improved on his .275/.353/.445 first half to go .291/.394/.608 down the stretch. The second half Tex should be seen all year long in Arlington. At age 27 Tex is right around the age where most players peak, however Tex is going to be a dominate player for a long time -- though probably not all in a Ranger uniform. Expect .295/.400/.575 with gold glove defense and a lot of MVP votes when the season ends.

Hank Blalock 3B - The success of the Rangers' season rests on his shoulders more so than any other individual player. If Ron Washington will end the Sosa experiment soon and move Hank up to the 5 spot in the order AND Hank can continue his new fangled approach of not trying to hit the ball 600 feet with every swing, the offense can be formidable. Hank "the Hawk" Blalock will improve this year on his 06 season (because you can't go down anymore than that), the question is by how much? Hawk has looked good in the first couple games of the season, going the other way and hitting everything hard. Southpaws will more than likely always be a problem for Hank, despite hitting 282/.344/.436 vs lefties in 2004, his career line is .221/.273/.344. If the countless news stories over the spring of the new Blalock -- part of the reason for the new nickname "Hammerin' Hank" tried to hit homers every time...the Hawk aggressive but also smooth and graceful -- have any validity Ranger fans can expect a season from Blalock that will rival his 2003-04 ones. I'll split the difference and say .270/.345/.455.

Brad Wilkerson LF - Very similar to Blalock in the respect that this left handed hitter suffered through shoulder injuries and ineffectiveness during a forgettable 06 campaign. I still think Wilky has good years in him if his body will allow, and word from camp this spring was that he was close to 100%. Wilk will always have the stigma of being compared to Alfonso Soriano which isn't fair to him -- he didn't trade himself. When healthy Wilk is one of the best players in the game, with a great batting eye, good pop and the ability to play defensively all over the diamond. He won't hit .300 and he will strike out often, however he can still be an important part of a winning club. A good season from him is much more likely than one from Sosa. Hopefully some of the good vibes from Gainsville will reach this former Gator All-American. Expect .250/.360/.500.

Ian Kinsler 2B - Simply one of the two or three best young second basemen in baseball. As any good Newberg Report reader knows, Kinsler has always been able to rake including hitting .401/.465/.687 in single A Clinton in 2004. Good pop, good eye and he should develop into a good defender. Expect .280/.350/.475

Nelson Cruz RF/CF - The 6'3'' 225 lb outfielder may have the most natural ability of any Ranger, combining power and speed. The question for Cruz and Ranger fans is how much will those abilities translate themselves on the big league diamond. Coming over from Milwaukee in the Carlos Lee trade, Cruz has a good chance to replace Kevin Mench production wise. His high strikeout rate will keep down his production to some extent, but a decent eye and top notch power potential make him a nice low-risk investment for the Rangers. His athletic ability mean he can spell Kenny Lofton in center once a week. Expect .255/.320/.470

Gerald Laird C - Underneath his dopey exterior rests a good young catcher. Laird should be entering his 4th season as the Rangers starter. Laird is a very good defensive catcher with an expectational rate of throwing out would be base stealers. He's not going to make anyone forget Pudge, but he's a solid starting major league catcher. Expect .270/.335/.445

Sammy Sosa RF/DH - Going into spring training I didn't mind the Sosa signing. Essentially no risk and I knew the Rangers would be smart enough not to put him on the opening day roster, if he has a good spring maybe you can trade him to some other team and pick up a small useful piece. Sammy had a great spring, but instead of moving him the Rangers put him in the Opening Day lineup. In the 5 hole!!! How is Tex supposed to get anything to hit when there's a guy behind him who hasn't been good in 4 years? I think Minnie Minoso is still available. Much rather see Botts. Expect .210/.280/.380 in 300+ too many at bats.

Mata Kata Util - Call him Kata, Kitty Kata [meow.] .250/.300/.400

Jerry Hairston Util - Like Kata JHJ is a versatile defender. He may spend more time in the outfield than the infield. He'll pinch run, but not give much with the bat. Unless he gets those roids he ordered. Expect .240/.310/.350

Chris Stewart C - Solid backup catcher. Showed some pop in the minor leagues and is widely regarded as having one of the top five arms on a catcher in baseball. The former White Sox catcher is tall for the position, 6'4'', but at only 25 years old still has some upside. Expect .245/.300/.405

Tomorrow I'll tackle the pitchers...