#17
The Texas Rangers shocked the baseball world by going all the way and winning the World Series. Will there be a repeat postseason run in 2024?
#16 - 3rd in AL West
MIH - Corey Seager
MIP - Jacob deGrom
PTW - Owen White
FP - The Rangers best starter in 2023 will be Nathan Eovaldi.
2023 Results
#1 - 90-72, 1st in AL West, won World Series
Highest WAR (Position) - Marcus Semien
Highest WAR (Pitcher) - Nathan Eovaldi
I knew the Rangers were on their back to the postseason, but no one saw winning the World Series in 2023. It truly shows that all it takes is getting into the tournament, then who knows what will happen. The crazy part is Jacob deGrom, the prize of last off-season, only pitched 6 games. Nathan Eovaldi, as predicted, was the ace of the staff, even after they went out and traded for a few more starters. Bruce Bochy is a magician.
Additions / Subtractions
After buy, buy, buy the last few offseasons signing Marcus Semien, Corey Seager, Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, trading for Max Scherzer, the Rangers went very quiet. The biggest addition they made was starter Tyler Mahle who is starting the season injured. Relievers David Robertson and Kirby Yates were added. That's about it.
Most Important Hitter
Marcus Semien
Marcus Semien has definitely been earning the megadeal he signed a few years ago, and in 2023 he was the Rangers best player. He played in every regular season game and every playoff game. Now he's entering his age 33 season. Eventually, the workload and the age are going to catch up with him. Semien, combined with Corey Seager, have been the anchors of this team since they signed. Seager is always getting hurt. They need Semien to remain the stabilizing force he was in 2023 for them to be elite again this season.
Most Important Pitcher
Nathan Eovaldi
The sneaky good signing of last offseason became their best starter (as predicted). Now, Nathan Eovaldi will be relied on even more with Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, and Tyler Mahle all starting the season on the IL. They could have a stellar rotation by the end of the season, but Eovaldi has to be great for the end of the season to matter.
Prospect to Watch
Wyatt Langford
Along with a World Series ring, the Rangers also have the 7th best farm system in baseball. That's even with several elite pitching prospects falling apart and getting injured. Of the 4 prospects in the Top 100, they have two outfielders in the Top 10. One became a household name last postseason when Evan Carter broke out. Now the prospect getting ready to turn heads is Wyatt Langford. Taken with the 4th pick in last year's draft, Langford is already in the big leagues and ready to take the league by storm. All he does is hit, which is why to get him in the lineup, he is a 22 year old full time DH.
2024 Prediction
4th in AL West
For a team that came out of nowhere to win a World Series, a hangover feels very likely the next season. The pitchers were taxed, the starters are already injured. They still have a ton of talent, but even Bruce Bochy's Giants teams only made the postseason every other year in their World Series dominance. I have nothing else but a hunch. The Rangers will take a step back in 2024.
Fearless Prediction
Marcus Semien and Corey Seager will combine for 162 games played.
They are easily the two most important players on the roster. Seager is always injured, and Semien is getting old. With the pitching staff dealing with injuries, the Rangers need to score to win. If these two go down for any amount of time, scoring could be difficult, which would make winning difficult.
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