Who Will Be Texas Rangers MVP in 2023?
The Texas Rangers will open the 2023 season on Thursday afternoon against the Philadelphia Phillies at Globe Life Field. The Rangers haven't had a winning season since 2016.
Below, the Inside the Rangers staff puts together its predictions for some of the team’s best players and stat leaders this season.
Team MVP
Art Garcia, Editor
P Jacob deGrom. The two-time Cy Young winner is a true ace and among the elite hurlers in the game. This monumental signing legitimizes the Rangers in so many ways, serving as a catalyst for a return to relevancy.
Kade Kistner, Staff Writer
SS Corey Seager. I think this is a pretty easy one. Yes, Jacob deGrom is now a Ranger, but I like Seager to have a bounce-back year. Last season he was unlucky, especially with the shift. Now that new rules from MLB have banned the shift, we should see Seager's numbers vastly improve. Also take into account how he feels more comfortable coming into this season and a monster year could be just around the corner.
Alex Plinck, Staff Writer
SS Corey Seager. He had an entire winter to adjust to the Texas Rangers lifestyle. Now that he’s more comfortable in Arlington and around his teammates, Seager will put up another monster season, especially with the shift elimination.
Matthew Postins, Staff Writer
SS Corey Seager. I think the shift ban is going to agree with him more than any other hitter in baseball. There is data to back that up. Seager once batted .300 in a season (.308 back in 2016, his first full season). In fact, the pitch clock works in his favor, too. Seager likes to work fast in the batter’s box. He may not get to .300, but I could see him powering the Rangers’ offense.
Home Runs Leader
Art Garcia, Editor
OF Adolis García. One of four Rangers with at least 25 homers last season, Garcia should take advantage of more protection in the lineup. Playing primarily in right also means less and tear.
Kade Kistner, Staff Writer
2B Marcus Semien. I still think about Semien's 2021 season in which he hit 45 home runs. He still has that potential and last season he launched 26. I think, much like Seager, Semien feels more comfortable heading into the season and a 30-plus home run campaign could be on the horizon.
Alex Plinck, Staff Writer
SS Corey Seager. Seager set a career-high in home runs last season with 33, and that’s without a traditional off-season. Seager is scheduled to go on a tear in 2023 and live up to the monster contract offered last winter.
Matthew Postins, Staff Writer
OF Adolis García. García hit 31 in his first full season in the Majors in 2021. He dropped back to 27 home runs in 2022. Rangers manager Bruce Bochy was impressed with his plate discipline during spring training. Here’s another hitter who likes to work fast and can use the new rules to his advantage. He’ll barely nudge out Seager for the top spot.
Wins Leader
Art Garcia, Editor
P Jacob deGrom. For the reasons noted above under Team MVP.
Kade Kistner, Staff Writer
Martin Perez. I think he stays the healthiest of the rotation all season long and him being on the mound the most statistically gives him the best shot at racking up the most wins.
Alex Plinck, Staff Writer
Jon Gray. With the limitations of Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi, I don’t believe those two will be in contention for most pitching wins. However, Jon Gray should stay healthy throughout the year and gain the most pitching decisions among starters.
Matthew Postins, Staff Writer
Nathan Eovaldi. I don’t expect Jacob deGrom to have a serious injury. But I think the 34-year-old will miss a little time. Eovaldi will benefit being the pitcher that takes the mound after deGrom. deGrom’s career high for wins is 15 and that Eovaldi’s career high is 14. Expecting starters to win 20 games is no longer the norm. I think Eovaldi will get more wins than deGrom, but only barely.
Saves Leader
Art Garcia, Editor
José Leclerc. Closer is his job to lose. Electric stuff plus the right temperament for the job should elevate Leclerc above the other closer candidates.
Kade Kistner, Staff Writer
Jonathan Hernández. Yes, José Leclerc will start the season in the closer role, but I really like what Hernández brings to the table and I think Texas may turn to him for the highest leverage spots sooner rather than later.
Alex Plinck, Staff Writer
Jonathan Hernández. While the Rangers have not named a closer yet, Hernández feels like the perfect closer candidate on the roster. The movement on his pitches is electric with a high-powering sinker.
Matthew Postins, Staff Writer
Will Smith. This is the fun one because I have no clue. Rangers manager Bruce Bochy has been all over the place. He’s even included Brock Burke in the conversation. I can’t tell if he’s obfuscating or if he legitimately is OK with a closer-by-committee. I think José Leclerc will get the first shot, and if he avoids adventurous innings, he could keep the job. But, at some point, I think the job migrates to Smith and he keeps it.
Breakout Player
Art Garcia, Editor
3B Josh Jung. With a number of established players in the lineup, going with the Opening Day third baseman feels obvious. Jung showed flashes in his late season 2022 call-up and now it’s time to lay claim on the hot corner. Jung could be a fixture for a decade if he’s everything we think he is.
Kade Kistner, Staff Writer
I am going the easy route here. It's Josh Jung for numerous and obvious reasons.
Alex Plinck, Staff Writer
IF/OF Josh Smith. He is described as a scrappy player. After a memorable debut last season, Smith ran into a small rough patch hitting below .200 to end his 2022 rookie season. However, I think Smith comes out strong to start the season and rides it out, playing mainly in the outfield while still filling in the infield if needed.
Matthew Postins, Staff Writer
IF/OF Ezequiel Duran. Strange given that Jung is the No. 1 prospect? Duran is going to play at least 2-3 days a week and he’ll play everywhere. His bat responded late in spring training with the power the Rangers were hoping for. He may still end up being trade bait in July. But Duran is going to make it hard for the Rangers to keep him out of the lineup.
First Call-Up
Art Garcia, Editor
OF Evan Carter. The top prospect in the system sounds like another easy choice. Most prognosticators have the outfielder debuting in 2024 at the earliest, but Carter may speed up the process should he continue to tear up the minors and if the Rangers need outfield help for some unknown reason.
Kade Kistner, Staff Writer
P Cole Winn. I think he makes his debut this season. He's on track and he had an encouraging spring. Pitching depth will be important and Winn probably gets the nod first, in terms of prospects.
Alex Plinck, Staff Writer
P Cole Winn. With Glenn Otto sidelined for some time to begin the year, the Rangers may need to hit the phones for a starter, despite some reinforcements in the bullpen. The April schedule typically gets light, but come May, when lengthy road trips happen, the Rangers may need an emergency starter and comes Cole Winn to see what he has.
Matthew Postins, Staff Writer
INF/OF Jonathan Ornelas. Center field Leody Taveras will miss the first week. Last season Josh Jung, Josh Smith and Ezequiel Duran all missed time either due to injury or to being sent down. Brad Miller missed time with injury, too. I think the door opens at some point for the Rangers to test-drive Ornelas, who is one of the most versatile players in the entire organization.
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You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard
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