Rangers Spring Training Preview: Mark Mathias

He made a splash as a super-utility player in the final months of 2022. Now it's up to Mark Mathias to claim a job for 2023.

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

IF/OF Mark Mathias

In 2022: Mathias needed opportunity and he wasn’t getting it with Milwaukee. When he was sent to Texas as part of the Matt Bush trade, it looked like he might end up with the same fate. But the Rangers committed to keeping him with the club in mid-August and he showed that he could, at the least, be a super-utility player. He hit five of his six home runs with the Rangers, and at one point Mathias hit three home runs in three straight at-bats over two different games (including his first career walk-off home run). With consistent playing time in Texas, Mathias hit .277 and praised the Rangers for how they helped him adjust his hitting approach.

For 2022, Mathias batted .247 in 30 games with 13 runs, three doubles, six home runs and 20 RBI. He walked nine times, struck out 30 times and stole three bases.

Mathias played five different positions in the field (first base, second base, third base, right field and left field) and was not charged with an error.

Contract Status: Mathias is under team control in 2023. He won’t be eligible for salary arbitration until 2024 and free agency until 2027.

In Surprise: The Rangers didn't move Mathias in the offseason, nor did they move him off the 40-man roster. That was an indication that they believe Mathias can, at the least, be some kind of super-utility player. He doesn't have a best position, but plays many of them well and that’s an asset any MLB team wants. He showed some pop in his bat that he had not shown in Milwaukee. With the dawning of the shift-ban era, his gap power and speed can be an asset. Mathias also proved he can be productive without regular playing time. He'll be lumped into a group that includes Brad Miller, Mitch Garver, Ezequiel Duran and Josh Smith, players who are all trying to prove they can play multiple roles and be deserving of an Opening Day roster spot.

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 |

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