Tanner Scheppers: Bullish Suddenly, a ripe farm system bloomed. Elvis Andrus, Neftali Feliz, Julio Borbon, Matt Harrison, Derek Holland and Tommy Hunter all made their MLB debut within a year or so of each other.
There's a significant circumstance here: The Rangers had holes. Meaning, the Rangers could promote Andrus because they didn't have a third baseman and Mike Young was pushed over. There wasn't anyone in the rotation that was either A) injured; B) ineffective; or C) wholly missing.
So it worked out. It made sense.
I have a feeling, however, that within the next calendar year or so, the Rangers will need to made a number of hard decisions (some of which may backfire). It might result in some hard trades. It might result in some guys walking. Bottomline: There will be change.
This might start in the next two weeks and there might not be convenient excuses (injuries, ineffectiveness, free agency) in place to allow these changes.
Scott Feldman/Brandon Webb/Tommy Hunter
Feldman's n Triple A and not doing great. Still, he's pitched three games since missing most of last year and starting rehab in the last three weeks. No doubt he rolls into the bullpen, probably in Dave Bush's role once he's ready. Webb pitched in a game for the first time in two years yesterday. His fastball hit 84 and his control was questionable. He might never pitch for the Rangers. He might be ready in July. Who knows? Still, where does he go? You can't touch four-fifths of your rotation. The bullpen seems relatively settled. As for Hunter, see above. A starter who doesn't have a place and could be ready by July, too. Thing with Hunter is that he was a closer at Alabama in college and you wonder if he'd be switched around. Because you could use a big right arm with the absence of Alexi Ogando.
Julio Borbon/Leonys Martin
Right now, you can't send Endy Chavez back down. And you can't have your bench outfield bat be another lefty (Craig Gentry is right handed). Doesn't matter. Martin is your starting centerfielder next season. I suspect he'll be in Arlington in September anyway. He's bashing Double A pitching (.353/.438/.588) and his defense is MLB-ready.
Cody Eppley/Mark Hamburger/Tanner Scheppers
Eppley's going to be here sooner or later. No room in the bullpen ... right now. Outside of Eppley and Pedro Strop, Hamburger might be the next bullpen arm in the Majors. He's at Round Rock and can not go anywhere but up. Scheppers is the heir apparent to the closer's role. If he can get healthy. Then again, if he's your closer and Neftali Feliz is moved to the rotation where do Webb/Hunter/Feldman/Holland go?
Neil Ramirez
Made a spot start in Round Rock. And hasn't left. He hadn't pitched in nothing over Low-A ball before this season, so because he's holding his own in Triple A is promising. At worst, he should be at Frisco. September call-up? A potential 2012 bullpen arm? Trade chip?
Martin Perez
A lot to improve upon. Walks are high. But he's being stretched out and his pitch counts are higher than they have before. At 20, no need to rush. But it's foolish to not think he wouldn't be a call-up candidate in 2012 with the idea of him being in the rotation by 2013.
Robbie Erlin
Erlin is a lot like Perez: A 20-year-old starter in Double A. A smallish (6-0) lefty that is tearing up the minors. Double A will be a challenge worth watching. He's flew through the system and, like Perez, is someone to watch for next mid-season and for 2013.
Joe Wieland
A big righty sitting and dominating at High-A right now. At first opportunity, he'll be in Double A. He's gotten better year after year. He's struck out 70 and walked three. Yikes. A similar route to Erlin, both being names to watch for September 2012 and Spring Training 2013.
Notable Omissions
Miguel De Los Santos, Chris Davis, Eric Hurley, Omar Beltre, Pedro Strop, Zach Phillips, Darren O'Day, Fabio Castillo.
