Star-Studded Texas Rangers Have Next Star to Build Around
When it comes to franchise cornerstones, the Texas Rangers are well-stocked. The reigning World Series champions boast stars across the diamond to build around.
World Series MVP Corey Seager is an obvious example. The shortstop will head into his third season with the Rangers as one of the American League MVP favorites for 2024.
Double-play partner and All-Star Marcus Semien is also an MVP hopeful and another significant piece of the foundation. The same could be said for ALCS MVP Adolis García, who signed a two-year contract that could be worth as much as $20 million. Jacob deGrom was signed just a year ago to be the ace of the pitching staff, and could be in position to take that mantle once he returns later this season.
Texas Rangers rookie Evan Carter had a .303/.415/.574 slash line and .989 OPS with six home runs and six stolen bases in 40 games last season.
But what about the future of the franchise? At some point years from now, especially with many of those aforementioned big names hitting the back end of their careers, the Rangers will have to replenish that talent and build around a new generation.
Sure, free agency and the trade route helps a club stay in contention. The Rangers did, after all, sign the likes of Seager, Semien, deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi and Jon Gray. Texas also traded for Max Scherzer and Jordan Montgomery last season and it paid off with a title.
But developing talent is key, too. Third baseman Josh Jung was an All-Star as a rookie. Underrated center fielder Leody Taveras came up through the organization. Much is being expected out of last year’s first-round pick Wyatt Langford, who could make the team out of spring training.
When it comes to a future cornerstone, however, last season’s September callup is a good place to start. MLB.com recently compiled a list of players clubs can build around in the next five years or so.
The conditions were the player has to be 25 years old or younger and already debuted in MLB prior to 2024 unless a long-term contract is in place. The pick for the Rangers is 21-year-old left fielder Evan Carter.
The Rookie of the Year contender posted a .303/.415/.574 slash line and .989 OPS with six home runs and six stolen bases in 40 regular season and postseason games for Texas. A 20-20 season could be in store for 2024 for one of the budding stars in baseball.
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