Kohei Arihara

Rangers Prospects Likely to Debut in 2021

The Texas Rangers are the next AL West team on our Players Likely to Debut series. In case you missed it, we have already rolled over two-thirds of the league.

AL East: Red SoxYankeesOriolesBlue JaysRays

NL East: MarlinsBravesPhilliesMetsNationals

AL Central: TigersRoyalsWhite SoxTwinsCleveland

NL Central: CardinalsRedsPiratesCubsBrewers

AL West: Mariners

Below, you will find a list of three prospects from the respective organization. Each prospect will have a number score next to their name — this number will represent the estimated amount of time we anticipate that player seeing at the big-league level. Players that have already made their big-league debut will not be included on this list.

BREAKDOWN OF TIME ON ROSTER SCORES:

1 — September call-ups / guys that are likely to see less than 20-25 games on the roster

2 — 1/4 of the season (roughly 40 games on roster)

3 — 1/2 of the season (roughly 80 games on roster)

4 — 3/4 of the season (roughly 120 games on roster)

5 — Full season on the MLB roster

Texas Rangers

Position — Name (Time on Roster Score)

RHP — Hans Crouse (1)

Crouse was the type of arm that drew plenty of, both, excitement and curiosity coming out of the 2017 MLB Draft, given his fastball/breaking ball combo. Unfortunately, the lack of a clean injury history and a quirky delivery combine to leave a fair amount risk. Overall, Crouse has already shown that he’s capable of dominating right-handed batters, and his stuff would certainly play up in the bullpen should the Rangers decide to give him a look late in the season.

Spokane Indians pitcher Hans Crouse displays the many ways he expresses himself on the mound.

RHP — Yerry Rodriguez (2)

Analytically, Rodriguez looks like a top pitching prospect with elite spin rate and good velocity to go along with a great ability to pound the zone. However, the stuff has not dominated the way that one would expect, and a slew of injuries has resulted in a stall in development. The Rangers have included him on their 40-man roster heading into this season so they are clearly of the belief that he is close to making contributions in Texas. That said, I would expect him to spend a little bit more time marinating in the minors before being promoted later in the season.

RHP — Tyler Phillips (3)

Phillips is the type of pitcher that lacks an ability to overpower or dominate hitters, but has the makings of a back end rotation piece due to plus command of his four pitch arsenal coupled with a strong GB clip. The Rangers have rolled the dice with a few of their rotation acquisitions this off season so I wouldn’t be surprised to see them turn to a high floor type of arm like Phillips at some point if they are searching for someone to eat some innings.

NOTABLE

The second pick in the Rule 5 this year, Brett de Geus, looks poised to be in competition for a bullpen spot after coming over from the Dodgers. could see innings at some point this year. Another intriguing name to follow is Japanese right-hander Kohei Arihara. Already 28, Arihara doesn’t fit the typical bill for a prospect on these lists, but he should get an immediate spot in the rotation and it will be interesting following in his first action stateside.

Photo Credit: James Snook

2020 NPB Players To Watch (Pacific League Edition)

2020 NPB Players To Watch (Pacific League Edition)

A comprehensive list of players you need to know about in the NPB, this time covering the Pacific League.