It's unlikely that 98.6 percent of the Rangers' roster will end up on the DL again this season, so that's good. How many of their rebounders would you like to bet on?
(Note: When a player's fantasy draft status is mentioned - e.g., "he's an SP4" - the number is based on 12-team mixed leagues.)
ALSO SEE: TEAM PREVIEWS ARCHIVES
Key additions: SP Yovani Gallardo, SP Ross Detwiler
Key losses: OF Alex Rios, C J.P. Arencibia
Projected Lineup
The Rangers will apparently decide during the spring if Martin will lead off. If they don't think he can handle it, Choo will move to the top of the order ... Batting first would probably help Martin's steal total, but he's already in play for 10 homers and 30-40 swipes. That's a nice OF4 ... Andrus seems to be the consensus SS7, even though he can't hit and has stolen fewer than 30 bases in two of the last three seasons. (Note: Fantasy Analyst Halpin intensely dislikes Fantasy Elvis Andrus) ... Do you think Choo suddenly fell off a cliff at age 31 after signing a giant free-agent contract? If not, he'll return nice value at his early OF42 ADP ... Beltre was really good again last season, but his HR total went down, and many drafters are choosing Josh Donaldson ahead of him. We respectfully disagree ... Fielder is going as a top-10 1B. Just remember that his healthy 2013 wasn't up to his usual standards ... Moreland missed most of 2014 due to an ankle injury, and he can't hit lefties at all. He might platoon with Ludwick ... The Rangers' left-field derby is crowded, but Rua hit 20 homers between the minors and majors last season ... Odor hit 15 homers and stole 10 bases between the minors and majors last year, and it would be nice if he flashed some of his previous speed (32 SB in 2013). He's sneaking in as a late-round pick, which is fine ... Chirinos is more glove than bat, but he hit 13 homers in 93 games. In two-catcher leagues, he's rosterable.
Projected Rotation
CL: Neftali Feliz
Darvish had Tommy John surgery in March and will miss the season ... A knee injury kept Holland out for most of 2014, so we should look to his solid 2013 for a gauge of what to expect. He's fine as a last man in for your mixed-league rotation ... Gallardo's ERA was a respectable 3.51 last season. Unfortunately, a career-low K rate and mediocre K/BB ratio make him unappealing outside of deep leagues ... Speaking of unappealing starters, let's all agree to avoid Lewis, Detwiler, Martinez and Tepesch ... Gonzalez could sneak in to get the fifth spot, and while he's talented, he has pitched just 73 innings above A ball.
Feliz had a 1.93 ERA in 31 2/3 innings, and converted 13 out of 14 save opportunities. However, he had just 21 strikeouts versus 11 walks, and his fastball velocity was slower than ever before. Kyuji Fujikawa and Tanner Scheppers are the unappealing backup options.
Sleeper: Odor's rookie numbers weren't eye-popping, but he could improve enough to be a solid fantasy keystone option. Run, Rougned, run!
Top prospects
Joey Gallo, 3B - Only 21, Gallo is an elite prospect with monstrous power, having hit 82 minor-leaguer homers over the last two seasons. It's possible that he could break camp as the Rangers' DH, but if that happens, his strikeout numbers will be through the roof, leading to a bad BA. Also, are we sure his name isn't Joey CALLO?
Jorge Alfaro, C - Alfaro's power makes him an interesting (and well-regarded) prospect, but he's a couple of years away.
Nomar Mazara, OF - Mazara is a top-100 prospect with good power potential, but he won't turn 20 until April, so be patient.
Jake Thompson, SP - Thompson is MLB.com's 83rd-ranked prospect, and he pitched better after getting traded from the Tigers' organization. He could be ready by 2016.
Alex Gonzalez, RP - Gonzalez is also in MLB.com's top 100, but he whiffed just 113 batters in 138 2/3 innings in the minors last season. Hmm ...
(Please tell us you got the Joey Callo reference. Thanks.)
ALSO SEE: TEAM PREVIEWS ARCHIVES
