Three Non-Roster Rangers That Could Make Opening Day Roster
Each year heading into Spring Training, several players join the club on minor league deals with an opportunity to make the big league roster. For the past two seasons, Charlie Culberson made the team out of Spring.
Coming into spring, there are a few under-the-radar players off the 40-man that could force general manager Chris Young and manager Bruce Bochy to make a move heading to Opening Day.
RHP Ian Kennedy
It seems like eons ago that Kennedy closed games out for the 2021 Rangers. Kennedy racked up 16 saves in 32 games with before being traded with with Kyle Gibson for Spencer Howard. Kennedy spent last season with the Arizona Diamondbacks, but things shifted downward. Ian allowed 57 hits in 50 innings with a 5.36 ERA with Arizona.
His time in Texas rejuvenated his career and gave Kennedy a chance to be a closer with the Philadelphia Phillies. Sometimes, players feel comfortable with a team, and the Rangers could be that comfort for Kennedy. A veteran in the bullpen could piece together the roster nicely, especially one with 66 saves since 2019.
OF Clint Frazier
Between 2018-2020 with the New York Yankees, Frazier was consistent at the plate. He hit around .265, showed power in 2019 and was a decent piece to in the Yankees lineup. Things spiraled in 2021, Frazier moved to the Chicago Cubs, and it didn’t get much better. Now he’s in camp with Texas in his seventh season at age 28. Making the club for Frazier will require a good camp coupled with the rest of the competition in left field struggling.
Remember, Frazier was a first-round pick in 2013, so the potential is there. The other question is, does his right-handed bat compliment the position player roster, or would the Rangers feel a left-handed bat for left field is a better suit?
RHP Kyle Cody
If I had to choose one player that likely makes the team from the non-roster list, Cody is that one player. Cody made his Major League debut in 2020 and threw the ball exceptionally in his eight appearances. Unfortunately, a shoulder injury led to surgery, and he missed most of the 2021 season and a portion of last year.
Cody finished 2022 in Triple-A Round Rock with a 3.66 ERA in 12 appearances (two starts), striking out nearly one batter per inning. Cody has big-league experience and could be an excellent multi-inning option out of the bullpen. His arsenal of pitches including his changeup and slider complement his fastball well with good moment.
Cody did quick work against the Royals on Saturday, throwing one inning and striking out one. If Cody doesn’t make the Opening Day roster, I suspect he will find his way back to the big leagues within the season, as long as he stays healthy.
You can find Alex Plinck on Twitter @aplinckTX.
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