Still-rebuilding Rangers use 26 rookies in 102-loss season
The Texas Rangers certainly knew it could be a tough season with their young and inexperienced rosterOCTOBER 4, 2021•ASSOCIATED PRESS
Amed Rosario - Notches steal in season finaleRosario went 1-for-4 with an RBI, a walk, a stolen base and a run scored in Sunday's 6-0 win over Texas.
ImpactThe 25-year-old finished off a productive year with an RBI single to plate Myles Straw in the first inning. Rosario also walked and scored on a wild pitch in the third. He cemented himself as Cleveland's everyday shortstop in 2021 with a solid .282/.321/.409 slash line, 11 home runs, 13 stolen bases, 57 RBI and 77 runs scored across 141 games. He went 11-for-34 (.324) across his last eight games after returning from a personal matter.
OCTOBER 4, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Myles Straw - Reaches 30-steal markStraw went 1-for-5 with a stolen base and a run scored in Sunday's 6-0 win over Texas.
ImpactThe outfielder singled, stole second and scored on an Amed Rosario hit to give Cleveland a quick lead in the first inning. Straw ended the year with 30 steals, tied for fourth in the majors with St. Louis' Tommy Edman and Baltimore's Cedric Mullins. Across 638 plate appearances, Straw posted a .271/.349/.348 slash line with four home runs, 48 RBI and 86 runs scored in 158 games between Cleveland and Houston. The 26-year-old figures to again contribute as a base stealer in 2022, although he shouldn't be expected to experience a power surge.
OCTOBER 4, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Bradley Zimmer - Displays speed SundayZimmer went 2-for-4 with an RBI, two stolen bases and a run scored in Sunday's 6-0 win over Texas.
ImpactThe outfielder finished the year 15-for-18 in stolen base attempts across 99 games. Zimmer added eight home runs, 34 RBI and 43 runs scored in a part-time role in the corner outfield. He slashed an uninspiring .227/.325/.344 across 348 plate appearances, so he'll likely have to compete for a job in the spring.
OCTOBER 4, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Yu Chang - Smacks homer in winChang went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 6-0 win over Texas.
ImpactThe infielder showed some promise to end 2021, batting .310 (13-for-42) across his last 12 games. Chang wasn't able to secure an everyday role this year, slashing .228/.267/.426 with nine homers, one stolen base, 39 RBI and 32 runs scored in 251 plate appearances. His defensive versatility has done more to keep him on the big club's radar than his bat through his first three major-league seasons.
OCTOBER 4, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Anthony Gose - Solid showing as pitcherGose allowed one run on two hits and two walks over 6.2 innings since he was called up from Triple-A Columbus.
ImpactThe outfielder-turned-reliever ascended to the majors Sept. 20, and he was pretty solid in a low-leverage role. Gose added nine strikeouts across his six appearances. The southpaw could be a candidate for the big-league bullpen in 2022, but Emmanuel Clase should be favored for saves heading into next season after ending 2021 as Cleveland's unquestioned closer.
OCTOBER 4, 2021•ROTOWIRE
Aaron Civale - Finishes season positivelyCivale (12-5) threw six shutout innings to earn the win over Texas on Sunday. He allowed three hits and a walk with four strikeouts.
ImpactThe right-hander endured a rough return to action in September after missing over two months with a sprained finger. He turned in just two quality starts in his last six outings, with Sunday's arguably the best of the bunch. Civale sported a 3.32 ERA through his first 15 starts this year, but the uneven final month bumped that mark up to 3.84 in 124.1 innings. The 26-year-old added a 1.12 WHIP and 99:31 K:BB in 21 starts.
OCTOBER 4, 2021•ROTOWIRE
