Rangers Spring Training Preview: Leody Taveras

Leody Taveras looks to solidify his place in center field in 2023.

InsidetheRangers.com previews every player on the Texas Rangers 40-man roster heading into Spring Training in Surprise, Arizona.

OF Leody Taveras

2022: The Rangers sent Taveras down to Triple-A at the start of 2022 to get consistent at-bats and show consistency at the plate. He did so, batting .294 with seven home runs and 29 RBI with Round Rock.

When the Rangers called him up, the plan was to put him center field and let him stay there. His play took care of any need for a Plan B.

From the start, Taveras translated his play at Triple-A into consistent offense at the plate. There were no questions about his speed or glove, which is a perfect fit for Globe Life Field’s spacious outfield. He did have an offensive downturn in the final month, which is something to watch.

In 99 games, Taveras batted .261/.309/.366.675 with 39 runs, 14 doubles, two triples, five home runs and 34 RBI. He struck out 88 times and walked 21 times. He stole 11 bases and was caught stealing five times. He played 93 of his 95 games in center field with a .991 fielding percentage and just two errors.

Contract Status: Taveras is under team control for 2023. He can go to arbitration for the first time in 2024. He is not a free agent until after the 2027 season.

In Surprise: Think of Taveras this season like Adolis García last season. Garcia was coming off a solid 2021 and the Rangers wanted to see him build on it. Garcia did so and solidified himself as the starting right fielder and one of baseball’s Top 100 players, per MLB.com. Taveras has not strung together consistent Major League seasons yet, but 2023 is his opportunity to do so. He goes into training camp as the incumbent center fielder, with the Rangers hoping he flashes more power and a better on-base percentage. His defense is among the best on the team already. The Rangers would love to see him grow from a player with potential to a player that is among the best at his position in 2023.

2023 Texas Rangers 40-Man Spring Training Previews:

Joe Barlow | John King | Dane Dunning | Brett Martin | Jake Odorizzi | Yerry Rodriguez | Owen White | Cole Ragans | Andrew Heaney | Glenn Otto | Josh Sborz | Ricky Vanasco | Cole Winn | Nathan Eovaldi | Jon Gray | Jonathan Hernández | Spencer Howard | José Leclerc | Martín Pérez | Brock Burke | Jacob deGrom | Taylor Hearn | Jonah Heim | Sam Huff | Luisangel Acuña | Ezequiel Duran | Josh Jung | Bubba Thompson | Nathaniel Lowe | Jonathan Ornelas | Corey Seager | Marcus Semien | Josh Smith | Adolis García | Dustin Harris | Brad Miller | Mark Mathias |

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