Who among the Texas Rangers' everyday players from last season has the most to prove this spring? Do any of the previous starters need to watch their back?
MLB.com recently unveiled their picks for each team's "must-need strong spring" player. For Texas, outfielder Leody Taveras made the list despite being one of the team's top performers in the postseason.
"It's not that the 25-year-old Taveras had a poor 2023, but with top prospect Evan Carter already in the big leagues and the club's No. 2 prospect, Wyatt Langford, knocking on the door, he’ll need to step up his offensive game to remain the Rangers' starting center fielder. Taveras hit .266 with a.733 OPS last year while playing an above-average center field, but he hit just .175 in the postseason. Taveras will no doubt be the Opening Day center fielder and will hold the starting spot for the foreseeable future, but he’ll need to prove he can do it long-term." - MLB.com
Evan Carter is expected to be the everyday left fielder to begin the season. Could he move over to center if Taveras struggles at the plate? It's possible, especially if Langford can prove his dominance in the minors last season wasn't a fluke.
Drafted fourth overall last July, Langford coasted through rookie ball, Single-A, and Double-A to find himself at Triple-A Round Rock to end the year. He's not promised a spot on the 26-man roster, but with Mitch Garver off to Seattle, the Rangers need a permanent answer at designated hitter.
Taveras, who was named to MLB.com's All-Underrated team, played alongside six All-Stars last season and still served as a sparkplug. In the No. 9 hole, his consistency at the plate and speed offers value when he reaches base. He also is arguably the Rangers' top defensive outfielder.
Any regression from Taveras, however, could open the door for another player to carve out a more substantial role.
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