PREDICTION – Take I: Rangers’ Opening Day Roster

The time has come to make a prediction of who will start out the season on the major league roster for 2020. MLB just approved a 26th man on the active roster.

Some wonder if that means that teams would carry a third catcher. Some wonder if that means an extra infielder or outfielder. MLB said that teams could only carry 13 pitchers which assure that there will be 13 position players.

Teams with two-way players have to declare them as one or the other. For example; Shohei Ohtani can only be listed as a pitcher or position player. Being able to do both is an added bonus.

With that info in hand, here is the first prediction for the opening day roster.

Note: Any player listed in bold is not expected to be on the opening day roster. 

STARTING ROTATION

Cory Kluber RHP, Mike Minor LHP, Lance Lynn RHP, Jordan Lyles RHP, Joe Palumbo LHP

Kyle Gibson is expected to be in the rotation. He suffered last season from ulcerative colitis which is an inflammation of the large intestine. He seems to have the weight back on but could be pushed back just a bit at the start of the season.

CLOSER

Jose Leclerc RHP

This is likely the first choice coming out of spring training. Chris Woodward is not opposed to doing a closer by the committee if Leclerc struggles.

BULLPEN

Nick Goody RHP,  Rafael Montero RHP, Joely Rodriguez LHP, Brett Martin LHP, Jessie Chavez RHP, Luke Farrell RHP

Some believe that Demarcus Evans could make the team out of spring. Others wonder is Ariel Jurado or Yohander Mendez might make the team in the bullpen also.

CATCHER 

Robinson Chirinos, Jeff Mathis

Jose Trevino played well at the end of the 2019 season.  There are many who want to see him back up Chirinos on the big league roster. Mathis will most likely start on a big-league team while Trevino catches the Nashville rotation.

INFIELD

Elvis Andrus SS, Todd Frazier 3B, Rougned Odor 2B, Ronald Guzman 1B, Isaiah Kiner-Falefa UT, Nick Solak UT

Guzman seems to be the one position player that is playing for his job. If the Rangers make any other moves it could move Guzman to AAA. Greg Bird will most likely start in Nashville as it stands unless he has an outstanding spring.

OUTFIELD

Joey Gallo RF, Danny Santana CF, Willie Calhoun LF, Scott Heineman OF, Adolis Garcia OF, Shin-Soo Choo OF/DH

Unless the Rangers make another move during the spring, this is likely the opening day outfield. Heineman will be the backup CF and Garcia will back up all three positions.

OPENING DAY LINEUP

1. Choo DH
2. Calhoun Lf
3. Gallo RF
4. Frazier 3B
5. Santana CF
6. Andrus SS
7. Odor 2B
8. Guzman 1B
9. Chirinos C
10. Kluber P

There you have it: The first attempt at predicting the opening day roster for 2020. The roster predictions will be updated weekly as news out of Surprise.

Featured Image: Associated Press/Corey Kluber