Team Fantasy Preview - Texas Rangers
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Throughout the preseason, we will be previewing all 30 teams and what their rosters bring to the fantasy baseball table. This edition covers the Texas Rangers:
Projected Lineup
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
| ORDER | POSITION | NAME | BATS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CF | Carlos Gomez | R |
| 2 | DH | Shin-soo Choo | L |
| 3 | 3B | Adrian Beltre | R |
| 4 | 1B | Mike Napoli | R |
| 5 | 2B | Rougned Odor | L |
| 6 | C | Jonathan Lucroy | R |
| 7 | RF | Nomar Mazara | L |
| 8 | SS | Elvis Andrus | R |
| 9 | LF | Jurickson Profar | S |
| Bench | IF | Hanser Alberto | R |
| Bench | OF/1B | Ryan Rua | R |
Projected Rotation
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
| ORDER | NAME | THROWS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cole Hamels | L |
| 2 | Yu Darvish | R |
| 3 | Martin Perez | L |
| 4 | Andrew Cashner | R |
| 5 | A.J. Griffin | R |
Bullpen Hierarchy
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
| Role | Name | THROWS |
|---|---|---|
| Closer | Sam Dyson | R |
| Set-Up | Jeremy Jeffress | R |
| RP | Matt Bush | R |
Top Prospect to Watch in 2017
A 22-year-old lefty, Yohander Mendez played four levels of baseball in 2016, ultimately making a three-inning cameo with the Rangers in September. The club's top pitching prospect, his fantasy value will depend on whether he has a starting or a bullpen role once promoted. He went 4-1 in seven Triple-A outings (four starts), though his 6.32 K/9 rate and 3.95 FIP (compared to a 0.57 ERA) showed the need for more seasoning.
Who Will Drive You Crazy?
Still just 24 years old, perennial prospect 1B Joey Gallo is a possibility to open the season in the DH role, at least against right-handed pitching. He has accumulated 133 major league at-bats over the last two seasons, homering seven times, but with a .173 batting average and 76 strikeouts. His power will surely entice, but even if he gets a regular shot in the majors, his rate stats will do more harm than good to a fantasy lineup.
The One to Own
Lucroy had a career-high 24 home runs last season, with 11 in 47 games after arriving in Texas. Firmly in his prime, a full season of action at hitter-friendly Globe Life Park in Arlington should provide the former Brewer with a good shot at finishing as 2017's top fantasy backstop.
Top Sleeper
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
A huge bust in 85 games as an Astro, Gomez's fortunes turned after joining the Rangers mid-season. In 33 games with Texas, Gomez slashed .284/.362/.543 while homering eight times and stealing five bases. Re-signed to a one-year contract, Gomez will be looking for another shot at a big free-agent payday, and a leadoff role is there for the taking.
HEADLINES
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