Texas Rangers 2016 Fantasy Preview

Mar 12, 2016; Surprise, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre (29) swings the bat against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Texas Rangers 2016 Fantasy Preview

The Athletics are still rebuilding from a failed playoff run a couple of years ago. Once again, this team is littered with players that get on base. That can be a good thing for your fantasy teams.

Texas Rangers 2016 Projected Starting Lineup:

C: Robinson Chirinos (.232, 10HR, 34RBI, 233 AB)
1B: Mitch Moreland (.278, 23HR, 85RBI)
2B: Rougned Odor (.261, 16HR, 61RBI, 6SB)
SS: Elvis Andrus (.258, 7HR, 62RBI, 25SB)
3B: Adrian Beltre (.287, 18HR, 83RBI)
LF: Ian Desmond (.233, 19HR, 62RBI, 13SB with WAS)
CF: Delino DeShields (.261, 2HR, 37RBI, 25SB)
RF: Shin-Soo Choo (.276, 22HR, 82RBI)
DH:Prince Fielder (.305, 23HR, 98RBI)

Chrinos has good power, but his low average makes him a little harder to own. There is some solid depth at catcher, so waiting wont hurt you all that much this year. Take him in deeper leagues if you need power. Keep an eye on him elsewhere to see if he proves to be worthy of standard league consideration.

Moreland had a nice year getting all of the at bats in 2015. He hit for a good average and had good power numbers. He is a suitable option later in drafts for a CI slot.

Odor has been a hot commodity in drafts this year because he is still young, and he put up good numbers last year. He has the potential to hit 20 homers at second base with a respectable average. He is worth a pick in the middle rounds.

Andrus could score a lot of runs, and the speed is still there. Obviously, you would like a little higher average, but he is still a good speed option in the middle of drafts. He could get his average back up in the .270’s.

Beltre’s power faded a little bit last year, but he still hits for a good average and will flirt with 20 home runs. You can do worse in the 15th round.

Desmond is still eligible at SS, which raises his value to me. He could be hitting near the top of a pretty good lineup. Desmond could be a bargain in the middle rounds.

DeShields flashed his speed last year, and that has propelled him up into the middle rounds of drafts. There is a lot to like about DeShields. He can help you in steals and runs scored.

Choo is still nothing flashy, but you can practically write his numbers down in ink. He is going to hit between .270 and .280. He will hit 20-25 home runs. He will drive in 75-90 runs. He will score about the same. He is a valuable pick in the middle of your outfield.

Fielder’s power was down a little last year, but he still hit nearly .300 and drove in nearly 100 runs. It was his first season back from a serious injury, so you could see more power this year. The only problem is that he takes up your UTIL slot. That drags his value down a little bit, but I would still take him in the eighth round or so.

Next: How Will The Rotation Shape Up?

Mar 30, 2016; Surprise, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) pitches during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Texas Rangers 2016 Projected Pitching Rotation:

Cole Hamels (13-8, 3.65 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 215K with PHI/TEX)
Martin Perez (3-6, 4.46 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 48K in 78.2 IP)
Colby Lewis (17-9, 4.66 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 142K)
Derek Holland (4-3, 4.91 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 41K in 58.2 IP)
Yu Darvish (10-7, 3.06 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 182K in 144.1 IP in 2014)
Shawn Tolleson (6-4, 2.99 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 76K in 72.1 IP, 35/37 saves)

Hamels’ numbers stayed about the same in Texas as they were in Philadelphia. His days of sub-3 ERA’s are likely over, but he is still a proven winner who can stay in the mid 3’s and rack up strikeouts. He is a solid pick in the 10th-12th rounds.

Perez still has a lot of potential, but he provides too much of a risk for standard leagues. You can take a chance on him in leagues of 12 or more teams, but only use him if the matchup is right.

Lewis could just as easily have lost 17 games last year as won 17. His ERA is too high to use anywhere but in deeper leagues.

Holland made it back on a mound last year, which is about all that he was trying to do. He has looked better this spring, so he may be worth taking a chance on later in drafts. We know what he is capable of.

Darvish is likely out until mid-May, so his draft stock has slipped some. Coming off of Tommy John surgery, its anyone’s guess as to how Darvish will pitch. What I have found is that he is falling far enough to make him worth taking a chance on.

The fifth starter’s position is still unclaimed. It may be Luke Jackson that gets it, but the Rangers wont have to decide for a couple of weeks.

Tolleson was a breath of fresh air for the Rangers last year He posts good strikeout numbers, and he only blew two saves all year. He is a solid pick as a second tier closer.

Next: What Prospects Are Worth Watching?

Mar 11, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers left fielder Joey Gallo (13) in the first inning during a spring training game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Maryvale Baseball Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

We will take a look at a few prospects that could crack the majors for the Rangers this year, and in what type of leagues you should be looking for them in. The Rangers have quite a few prospects. Will any make an impact? Let’s get started!

Joey Gallo, 3B/OF: Gallo has some of the most pure power in the minors. He hit 6 homers in 108 major league at bats last year, but he hit 23 homers in the minors last year. He strikes out a lot, which hampers hit ability to hit for a decent average. His average keeps him out of standard league consideration, but I would consider in him 12 team leagues.

Nomar Mazara, OF: Mazara hit .296 with 14 homers in the minors last year. He has a lot of tools, but switching Ian Desmond to left field blocks him. He is only 20, so the Rangers wont rush him, but if he torches minor league pitching again, they wont be able to keep him down very long.

Luke Jackson, RHP: The Rangers don’t have anyone penciled in as the fifth starter until Darvish returns in May. Jackson is a candidate. He recorded a 4.26 ERA in seven September appearances last year. He could be ready right now. We will find out in a couple of weeks.

Patrick Kivlehan, CI: Kivlehan hit 22 home runs at AAA last year. If injuries strike, Kivlehan could contribute at the major league level since he can play the corner outfield positions as well. If he carves out a role with Texas, he is worth a look in deeper leagues. The power is there, but the average may not be.

Next: MLB FanDuel Picks For Opening Day

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