A pint of McGuiness Previous: Catcher.
Much like the catcher's position, first base was a spot the brass with the Texas Rangers probably thought they had figured out.
Between Justin Smoak, Chris Davis, Mitch Moreland or any other number of guys, the Rangers probably thought they had someone that would field the position for the next decade.
Or, maybe not. Smoak's in Seattle. Davis' head ain't right. And I don't know what to think of Moreland.
As for everyone else:
Mitch Moreland
25 - Texas Rangers
I think Moreland has something. What? I don't know. I feel this way because of one stat: BB/K ratio. Through his three years in the minors he had a 159-223 BB/K ratio. Last season in the Majors, he 25-36 BB/K ratio. Now, if he can learn to hit lefties, we'll be in business.
Chris Davis
24 - Texas Rangers
I wouldn't give up on Chris Davis. Why? Two words: Nelson Cruz. It wasn't that long ago that Cruz was reaching his mid- to late-20s and he have proven all he could in the minors. Yet, he couldn't hit in the Majors. He was actually placed on waivers, yet, he made it through and he eventually figured it out. Davis is just 24 years old, and he'll be 25 by the time the season starts. It's not too late for the guy.
Christopher McGuiness
22 - Frisco RoughRiders
McGuiness was one of the players had in the Jarrod Saltalamacchia trade last season with the Boston Red Sox. He'd never shown much power although he did hit 19 homers last season including seven in Bakersfield. He's on the Frisco roster, so I'll assume he'll start the season there. A Citadel grad, he's risen through the ranks quickly with almost a 1:1 K/BB ratio.
Michael Ortiz
21 -- Hickory Crawdads
Entering his fourth season in the Rangers organization, Ortiz hit just .223 last season along with 15 doubles. Probably a lot more upside than his comrades in Hickory. However, extremely likely to get jumped by rising, mature talent elsewhere.
Jared Bolden
23 -- Hickory Crawdads
Twenty-three now, 24 by the time the season begins. He made a switch last season to first base. But his bat (or lack thereof) hasn't warranted much time if any at any position.
Ed Koncel
22 -- Hickory Crawdads
Koncel is a former shortstop, who made a brief blip on the radar last season when he had 24 extra-base hits before the All-Star break. In his final 76 at-bats, he had two extra-base hits and eight hits total. He went 0-16 in the month of July.
Andrew Clark
23 - Spokane Indians
A 2010 draftee, he showed something hitting .295 along with 41 RBI and a 46-47 K/BB ratio.
Clark Murphy
21 - Spokane Indians
Extremely young the Rangers took out of high school two years ago. Despite logging just 144 at-bats, his walk rate went through the roof as he got 31 free passes. His previous high was 28 in more than 300 at-bats.
Jhonny Gomez
21 - Spokane Indians
The Venezuelan made his stateside debut in 2010 and hit .369 in Arizona before a brief bump to Spokane.
Andres Frias
20 -- Dominican Summer League
Hit .250 this season in the Dominican and just .202 in 2009.
Christefer Obispo
18 -- Dominican Summer League
Had 10 extra-base hits in his inaugural year of professional baseball.
