2007 Texas Rangers Spring training review Manager Ron Washington is looking for ‘good stuff to happen in 2007’ but optimism alone is no cure for a gloomy outlook. The last season the Texas Rangers were in the playoffs was seven years ago back in 1999. Last year the club finished with a so-so record of 80 wins and 82 losses, in 3rd place a full 13 games in back of the AL West Division winners, the Oakland Athletics. Offense is the Rangers power-suit. As a team they averaged 5.15 runs per/game versus an American League average of 4.96. Texas hammered 183 homers vs an AL average of 182. Their man guns are first baseman and cleanup hitter, Mark Teixeira, .282 batting average, 45 doubles, 33 Hrs, 99 Runs, 110 RBIs, shortstop Michael Young, .314, 52 doubles, 14 homers, 93 Runs, 103 RBIs, and third baseman Hank Blalock, .266, 26 doubles, 16 home runs, 76 Runs, 89 RBIs. 2007 Texas Rangers Spring Training 40-Man Roster Outfielders Kenny Lofton, Brad Wilkerson, Freddy Guzman, Jason Botts, Marlon Byrd, Nelson Cruz, Frank Catalanotte, Victor Diaz Catchers Gerald Laird, Miguel Ojeda, Guillermo Quiroz Infielders Michael Young, Ian Kinsler, Hank Blalock, Drew Myer, Mark Teixeira, Joaquin Arias Pitchers Robinson Tejeda, Scott Feldman, Rick Bauer, Joaquin Benoit, Edison Volquez, Francisco Cruceta, Josh Rupe, Frank Francisco, John Rheinecker Eric Gagne, Armando Galarraga, Vicente Padilla, Akinori Otsuka, Alexi Ogando, Daniel Haigwood, John Koronka, Wes Littleton, A.J. Murray Brandon McCarthy, Ron Mahay, Kevin Millwood, Kameron Loe, John Rheinecker Starting Pitchers Profiles Kevin Millwood signed a free-agent pact with the Rangers on December 29, 2005. For Texas in 2006 he rang up a 16-12 record with a 4.52 ERA with 157 Ks, 53 BB in 215 innings of work. A long-time major leaguer, Kevin Millwood started his MLB career with Atlanta back in 1997. He throws a fastball approaching 95 mph, also a slider, a hard curve and a straight changeup. A mound master, Kevin Millwood has worked over 190 innings, six times in the last eight years, including 228 IP in 1999 and 223 on ’03. John Koronka had his first full major league season in 2006 with the Texas Rangers. He started 23 games, had a 7-7 w/l record, a 5.69 ERA with 61 strike outs in 125 innings. The Rangers are counting on the 26-year old to improve as he gains experience. John Koronka has a 4-seam fastball in the low 90s mph, a very fine slider, a curve and a changeup. He likes to work the ball on both sides of home plate and the left-hander has a resounding pickoff throw to first base. Counting on new additions: Kenny Lofton at age 39 is still one of the best all-around baseball players in the game. A no-nonsense, aggressive player, batting leadoff he will lead by example. An excellent bunter, centerfielder Kenny Lofton hits to all fields and once on base, intimates opposing pitchers. In 2006 his stats were .301, stole 32 bases, scored 79 runs, it was his 10th season of hitting at least .300. Frank Catalanotto, OF/DH, played with Blue Jays from 2003-2006, hitting .299, .293, .301, .300, then signed with Texas as free agent. Frank Catalanotto has even bat-swing and as a left-handed batter inside-outs with a looping drive. In 2006 for Toronto he hit .300. with 36 doubles, 7 homers, scored 56 runs and drove in 56. He’s slated to bat 2nd in Ron Washington’s lineup. Marlon Byrd, born in Boyton Beach, Florida. Joins Rangers at age 29 after almost two season with the Washington Nationals, 2005-06. A quick-stepping outfielder, Marlon Byrd batted a career-low .233 in 78 games for Nats in ’06. Brandon McCarthy, Starting Pitcher. The 6 ft 7 inch, 190 pound Brandon McCarthy has a pitching arsenal of a 88-92 mph fastball, a curve ball and a changeup. He came over to Texas from the Chicago White Sox in a trade in December of ’06… baseballhistorian.com our Chicago Office printed up this advance scouting report, “Brandon McCarthy is only 23 years-old, and carries a 4-Star of 5 scouts rating. His long arms delivery of the ball comes directly over the top. His fastball rises as it crosses home plate and his curve ball often times sinks. The thing in his disfavor is he yields too many home run balls. For White Sox in 2005, he gave up 13 homers in 67 innings and in ’06 served up 17 long balls in 84.2 innings.” For complete stats of all baseball players, please see Players section on the upper left-side of our home page For loads of fun reading, type in Yankees, Cardinals, Rangers, Pirates, Red Sox, Cubs or all other teams in our Search on the lower left-side of our home page |
