Sports Noise

Texas Rangers fans are witnessing something amazing this season. This year was supposed to be a building year, just staying competitive until the number 1 farm system in baseball was ready to make a major impact on the big league club and push them over the top.  What was supposed to be happening in 2010 is happening a year early and the Rangers are making a push to be playoff bound this year thanks to the help of young stars.

During Spring Training the biggest headline coming out of Surprise, Arizona was the Rangers front office decision to move short stop Michael Young to third base opening up the position for slick fielding,20-year-old, Elvis Andrus.  Andrus was scouted as a Gold Glove caliber SS who would “wow” you with his glove but might disappoint you with the bat. Late into his rookie season only part of this is proving to be true.  The number of jaw-dropping defensive plays cannot be counted by the youngest position player in baseball, to say that he has “Gold Glove talent” is an understatement.  Yet, Andrus has not seemed over matched by Major League pitching. In 122 games this season he is batting .272 with a .340 on base percentage, pretty good for a guy who is a defensive stud. Even more impressive is his numbers since the All Star Break, .303 batting average with a .370 on base percentage, which seems to suggest that he is adjusting to big league pitching.  It is also worth mentioning that he has stolen 26 bases on the season.  The upside for this kid is through the roof, he has future star written all over him.

Andrus is not the only young position player who is making an impact on the Texas Rangers.  Out fielder Julio Borbon has shown exactly why he fits the mold of the perfect lead off hitter.  In his short stint in the big leagues Borbon has boasted a .320 batting average with a .386 on base percentage and any time he gets on base he is a threat to steal bases with his game changing speed. In just 23 games he has stolen 13 bases while only being caught once.  While the offensive numbers are impressive,Borbon was scouted for his great outfield defense. He has the speed to chase down any ball in the out field.  He has a great chance at winning the starting center fielder job in 2010 Spring Training.

No one had helped their stock more, by the end of the 2008 season, than pitching prospect Derek Holland.  He made his way through the minors with the help of a greatly improved fastball that was touching 98 and impressive command. He turned himself into a top five prospect in the Rangers farm and top 100 overall.  It took him just one start into the minor league season before he received the call up to the major league club where he would be used as a bullpen arm.  Eventually he would become a starter and there have been glimpses as to why he is such a highly regarded prospect including a magnificent 96 pitch complete game 3 hit shut out versus the Angels.  Holland’s arsenal consists of a high 90’s fastball which sets up a good slider, change up, and curve ball but he depends on the ability to command all of them consistently. He greatest asset during his run through the minors and glimpses of major league success is his ability to pound the strike zone with all of his pitches. Though Holland has struggled recently there is plenty of reasons to believe that this 23-year-old lefty will  become a top of the rotation starter the Rangers have needed for a long time.

Arguably the most exciting and most talented of the Rangers prospects is pitcher Neftali Feliz. Yes, it is Feliz, not Perez as much of the media has suggested.  Feliz has taken the Rangers and fans by storm by putting up ridiculous numbers in his short time at the Major League level.  He has shown great command of his 100 mile per hour fastball, which was considered the best pitch in the minor leagues, along with a plus “curveball” and a 90 mile per hour change up.  In 23.2 innings he has 29 strike outs, only 2 walks, 8 hits, and 2 earned runs which is good for a .76 ERA and ungodly .42 WHIP.  While it is a small sample size,Feliz possesses a once in a life time quality arm and says that he can dial his fastball up to 100 “whenever he wants”.  Most pitchers with 100 mph heat are often wild and exhibit a lot of effort while throwing hard,Feliz is the exact opposite.  He has pinpoint control and an effortless delivery that looks like he is playing catch.  The 21-year-old star has shown unbelievable poise and presence on the mound, he is calm no matter what the situation is. Feliz is not your typical hard thrower, he is a pitcher that knows exactly when and how to use his deadly repertoire of pitches. He is the future ace of the Rangers rotation and has the chance to be the best pitcher in baseball in just a couple of years.

Not all of the Rangers minor league talent has reached the big leagues yet, there are still plenty of young arms just waiting to break out.  The most talented player left in the farm system is switch hitting first baseman JustinSmoak, former first round pick out of the University of South Carolina.  Smoak is a great pure hitter with a very good eye and power from both sides of the plate.  Smoak gets on base at a great rate, .363 OBP, in his time at AAA Oklahoma and could help the Rangers in that regard.  Fans will be very happy to hear the MarkTeixeira comparison. Smoak will soon enough be a middle of the line up hitter the Texas Rangers desperately need.

Every time Elvis makes a Web Gem, Borbon steals a base, Holland throws a slider in the dirt for a swinging strike out, and Feliz blows someone away with a 101 mph fastball I realize how great these young kids are and that the future is bright for the Texas Rangers. The rest of the AL West better watch out because the Rangers are going to be around for a long time.