When do Texas Rangers Stand in Latest Power Rankings?

The Texas Rangers are leading the American League West and are considered among the top-five MLB clubs in the latest ESPN Power Rankings.

Apr 1, 2024; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (6) runs the bases | Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Just a little than a week into the season and the Texas Rangers find themselves in a good spot. The defending World Series champions are atop the American League West.

And considered among the top teams in baseball.  

The Rangers remained steady at No. 5 (same ranking as the preseason) in the first MLB Power Rankings of the regular season from ESPN’s panel of baseball experts despite a huge injury setback.

Per ESPN:

It looks like the Rangers are going to be piecing things together at the hot corner for at least the first half of the season. The reigning champs got brutal early news when hard-luck standout Josh Jung took a pitch off his right wrist. Jung was off to a blazing start, but after undergoing surgery to repair a fracture, he’s now on the 60-day injured list.

Jung’s replacement on the roster also took a tumble, but the Rangers are fighting through.

Texas summoned prospect Justin Foscue to help out in the infield, and he turned up with an oblique injury after logging his first two major league plate appearances. Now another prospect – Davis Wendzel – has been summoned for his first MLB time. Wendzel will help Josh Smith and Ezequiel Duran and, hopefully, Foscue hold down the fort until Jung can get back on the field.

The club went 2-0-1 in its first three series with wins over the Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays before splitting with the Houston Astros. A three-game set with the rival Astros begins Friday in Houston.

The rankings of the rest of the AL West: Houston (7), Seattle Mariners (19), Los Angeles Angels (24) and Oakland Athletics (28).

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