As the Texas Rangers gear up for Opening Day on March 26 in Philadelphia, the team is fine-tuning its roster with just six spring games left. While most spots are locked in, a couple of players are still fighting tooth and nail for their place on the team. Let's dive into the two players who have the most on the line as spring training winds down.
Cal Quantrill, RHP
Cal Quantrill’s journey to potentially securing a spot on the Rangers' roster has been anything but straightforward. After being released by Cleveland and signing a minor league deal with Texas, Quantrill's chances seemed slim. His participation in the World Baseball Classic complicated matters, taking him away from team activities for over a week as he represented Canada.
However, Quantrill turned heads with a stellar performance in the WBC, pitching five innings of shutout ball, allowing just two hits and striking out five in a crucial elimination game. This outing significantly impressed Rangers' manager Skip Schumaker, giving Quantrill a much-needed boost in his quest for a roster spot.
The challenge for Quantrill lies in the competition for the fifth rotation spot. He's up against promising arms like Jacob Latz, Kumar Rocker, and Austin Gomber.
As a right-hander, Quantrill might find himself squeezed out of the rotation. Even a bullpen role is competitive, with one of the other rotation candidates likely to shift there.
Tyler Wade, INF
Tyler Wade has been on a rollercoaster this spring. Just weeks ago, he was batting close to .600 with an OPS over 1.200, making him seem like a lock for the roster. Although those numbers have dipped, Wade is still hitting a solid .414 with a home run, two RBIs, and a 1.071 OPS over 33 plate appearances.
So why is Wade’s roster spot in jeopardy? The return of Josh Jung, expected to be the starting third baseman, has tightened the infield competition.
Wade’s versatility as a utility player and potential designated hitter is further challenged by the late addition of veteran Andrew McCutchen, who has been impressive since joining the team on March 6. Now, the final bench spot is a battle between Wade, Mark Canha, and Ezequiel Duran.
As these players vie for their positions, the final stretch of spring training promises to be intense. Both Quantrill and Wade have shown they can deliver, but with the competition heating up, every pitch and at-bat will count. The Rangers' decision-makers have some tough calls ahead, and these last games will be crucial in shaping the Opening Day roster.