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Leonys Martin: CubanFor a pennant-winning baseball club, the Texas Rangers have a seemingly large amount of flux in its roster. Probably compared to the Baltimore Orioles or New York Mets, it's a low amount.
Still, can you name me who will definitely start at first base on Opening Day? Catcher? Centerfield? Granted, we know who might start, but who is there in April may not be there in August.
Today we start at centerfield. The Rangers suck at finding a legit, everyday centerfielder. It's crazy. To their credit, they're at a spot that they can fill it with very capable bodies for 162 games, but in the annals of Texas Rangers baseball, you can not pinpoint a steady face to the greatest teams in the franchise's history. Indeed, crazy.
Here are the culprits:
Josh Hamilton
As it stands, I don't think that Hamilton is the best centerfielder on the 40- or 25-man roster. No matter where he is playing, I can see him transitioned into a designated hitter within the next three or so years. No doubt he can play center and for the time being it is not a detriment from game to game to have him in center. I don't suspect he'll get a ton of time -- barring injuries, match-ups -- in center.
Craig Gentry
I think the tide has turned for ol' Kitten Face. Julio Borbon's struggles, Hamilton's injuries and a relative lack of competition (guys like Engel Beltre struggling and Leonys Martin refining) has thrust Gentry into a prominent opportunity to play for a majority of the season. I really feel this way. He's a fan favorite, but he's also probably the best defensive centerfielder, he seems very intelligent, he's a terror on the basepaths and not a complete black hole in the line-up (hit .271 in 133 at-bats).
Julio Borbon
I would have bet quite a bit that Borbon would not be in the Rangers' system on March 8, 2012. I think if I had to pinpoint a "change of scenery" guy, it would be Borbon. I think he needs one. I think he could go to Washington and thrive. I do not, however, blame the Rangers for not giving Borbon away. He's still young and he's not been a total and complete bust in the bigs. I think expectations are driving this train: I really think the Rangers felt Borbon would be entering his third year as the Rangers' starting centerfielder and lead-off hitter. He hasn't so we judge him based on that expectation.
Leonys Martin
Martin could hit .750 in Spring Training with 10 home runs and 25 RBI and still wind up in Round Rock in April. My promise to you is that Martin will be patrolling center in July or August.
Engel Beltre
What might have been most alarming about the top-rated prospect was the amount of strikeouts he posted in Double-A Frisco a year ago. His 103 whiffs matches his 105 strikeouts achieved as an 18-year-old in Low-A Clinton in 2008. In between, his strikeout totals declined. At 22, you definitely can't give up, but he's being lapped.
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