2024 Pre-Season Profile: Texas Rangers

 #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?

2023 Predictions

#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.

2019 Pre-Season Profile: Philadelphia Phillies

#6

The Philadelphia Phillies followed up a surprisingly strong 2018 season by winning the Bryce Harper sweepstakes this offseason.  Will all their moves lead to another step forward in 2019?

2018 Predictions

3rd in NL East

This will be Gabe Kapler's only season as Phillies manager.

2018 Results

80-82, 3rd in NL East

I had the Phillies mostly predicted where they ended up, but finishing in 3rd doesn't tell the whole story of their season.  They were competing for the division title most of the season only to fall away down the stretch.  Their record ended up uner .500, but most of the season the talk of the NL East was the Phillies and Braves as the upstart surprises at the top of the division.  Gabe Kapler's early criticism quickly died off as the team found success.

Additions / Subtractions

Ownership for the Phillies made news early in the offseason claiming they were willing to spend "crazy money" over the offseason.  It took awhile, but crazy money they spent when they brought in Bryce Harper on a 13 year contract.  However, that was not the only move they made.  They also traded for what many consider the best catcher in baseball in J.T. Realmuto.  They have a new shortstop in Jean Segura, acquired in a trade with Seattle.  They solidified the back of their bullpen by bringing in David Robertson and rounded out their outfield by signing Andrew McCutchen.  They definitely spent some stupid money and made the most of it.

Most Important Hitter

Bryce Harper

He is the one that got all the money.  He is the one that everyone is watching.  He is their most important hitter.  This lineup is loaded, but it really only works if Harper produces in the middle of the lineup.  Not only is he the biggest name, but he is one of the only left-handed bats in the order.  Harper got this money hoping he jumps back up to his MVP level.

Most Important Pitcher

David Robertson

The main reason the Phillies started to fall apart down the stretch was a lack of a bullpen.  They couldn't finish a game.  David Robertson has been brought in to fix that.  He has been a closer, but he has also been a utility arm in the bullpen, pitching wherever he is needed.  He will be counted on this season to be the difference maker.

Prospect to Watch

Adonis Medina

One of the Phillies top prospects is 22 year old right-handed pitcher Adonis Medina.  Last season, he pitched exclusively in A ball and will start this season in AA, but if the Phillies are in the playoff hunt down the stretch, look for Medina to get a shot in the big leagues to be a spark plug in their bullpen with a shot at making their rotation in 2020.

2019 Prediction

1st in NL East, lose in NLDS

The NL East is going to be super competitive this season, and I see the Phillies being the team to emerge from the group.  Their lineup is just too loaded, and the top of their rotation is elite.  They are going to be hard to beat.  There is an argument that they are the most talented team now in the National League.  I am tempted to pick them to go all the way to the World Series, but these super teams never go all the way in year one.  They might be my 2020 World Series pick though.

Fearless Prediction

Aaron Nola will win the 2019 NL Cy Young.

I am a huge fan of Aaron Nola.  He basically came out of nowhere last year to have a huge season.  Everyone talks about Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer, but you might forget that Nola finished 3rd in the Cy Young race last season.  I see Nola being energized by their revamped offense to be even better and bring home the trophy in 2019.