2021 Roster Review: Texas Rangers

60-102 (5th in Division; 28th in MLB)

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SP Wins: 33 (25th)

RP Wins: 27 (28th)

Saves: 31 (27th)

1+ Save: 5 (Ian Kennedy 16, Joe Barlow 11, Spencer Patton 2, Josh Sborz, Joely Rodriguez 1)

100+ Ks: 3 (Jordan Lyles 146, Dane Dunning 114, Kolby Allard 104)

.260+ AVG (min. 350 PA): 2 (Isiah Kiner-Falefa .271, Nathaniel Lowe .264)

65+ Runs: 3 (Adolis García 77, Lowe 75, Kiner-Falefa 74)

65+ RBI: 2 (García 90, Lowe 72)

10+ HRs: 6 (García 31, Joey Gallo 25, Lowe 18, DJ Peters 12, Nick Solak 11, Jonah Heim 10)

5+ SBs: 9 (Kiner-Falefa 20, García 16, Yonny Hernandez 11, Leody Taveras 10, Lowe 8, Solak, Charlie Culberson 7, Gallo 6, Brock Holt 5)

BEST BUY: Nathaniel Lowe

Lowe’s season was buoyed by an 8-for-8 effort on the bases and even with that he was just 20th at 1B. If the speed contributions are legitimate, he’s a mini-Goldschmidt coming into his own with a strong foundation. Even if it regresses, there is power and AVG upside that could yield a .280 AVG/30 HR season.

ON THE RISE: Nick Solak

I still have Solak as a riser despite the dud season in ’21. Solak’s season started brilliantly with a .910 OPS, 7 HR, and 2 SB in April but then had a .612 OPS with 4 HR and 5 SB from May on (spanning 100 games and 399 PA). There aren’t any glowing signs in his profile that scream “buy!”, but looking at his full profile, we see as much good as bad. He had a 113 wRC+ in his first 480 PA and a 72 in his last 399. He found himself a bit during his demotion (123 wRC+) and his recall (113 wRC+) and I still see a solid double-double second baseman with an upside of 20/20.

OFF THE RADAR: DJ Peters

Peters is probably just an all-or-nothing bat that flashes big power but doesn’t make nearly enough contact to maintain fantasy value, an increasingly popular profile across the game. However, he is a tweak or two – or even just some good BABIP and HR/FB luck – away from fantasy viability. In 52 games with Texas, he hit .198/.218/.426 with 12 HR, good for a 37 HR pace. Of course, they’d have to stomach that line for 642 PA to get him there, but the power is evident. He is a Draft & Hold kind of pick right now with a chance to be an intriguing in-season pickup for standard formats.

HOT TAKE: Dane Dunning posts 150+ IP of a 3.50 or better ERA in 2022.

Dunning debuted last year with the White Sox, throwing 34 solid innings (3.99 FIP) after missing all of 2019 recovering from Tommy John surgery. He moved to Texas pitched well enough in 117.7 innings (3.94 FIP), though they seemed to be managing his workload since he still wasn’t that far removed from TJ (avg. of 4.6 IP/GS). The reins should come off in 2022 and Dunning could post 180ish innings on the high end while also setting a new high in K% (>25%). Keep an eye on him!

ICYMI: Joe Barlow had great results as the closer, posting a 2.20 ERA and 0.92 WHIP in 16.3 IP while notching 11 saves. His 5% K-BB rate in that time was brutal, but he had a 26% mark in his first 12.7 IP so there is hope for improvement. He could reasonably open the year as their closer and be a solid 3rd option for fantasy teams.