Texas Rangers settling rotation and bullpen slots
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington announced a few “moves” today.
Tanner Scheppers is in the #Rangers' rotation. Joakim Soria named closer. Alexi Ogando is a set-up man.
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilsonTXR) March 22, 2014
Tanner Scheppers appeared in 76 games last season, all in relief. He posted a record of 6-2 to go along with an ERA of 1.88 and a WHIP of 1.070. Doesn’t hurt to own a fastball that averages 96 mph either. It will be interesting to see if Sheppers can maintain that velocity as a starter.
During his time in the minors (2009-2012), Scheppers was used prominently as a reliever. He appeared in 95 games with only 12 starts. He also accumulated 19 saves.
For Joakim Soria, it’s a return to the spot that he once owned. You’ll see some of that in a bit.
Regarding Alexi Ogando, the life of fluctuating between the rotation and the bullpen continues. The only season where Ognado has worked exclusively as either a starter or reliever was his first as a Ranger in 2010 when he pitched as a reliever in 44 games.
Wait. There’s one name missing from Wilson’s tweet: Neftali Feliz. Wasn’t he the guy that was to take over for Joe Nathan as the closer?
Apparently, Feliz has not even secured a spot on the 25-man roster. Here’s Wash on the matter (via MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan):
"Neftali hasn’t been pitching in two years,” Washington said. “Let it play out and see what happens. Neftali is healthy, now he has to win a job. He’s just not going to win the closer’s spot."
As far as any comparison between Soria and Feliz, that work was performed by commenter PlatypusFeatures. The period covered by the accompanying tables is 2009-11.
| Saves | Games | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | HR/9 | LOB% | ERA | FIP | xFIP | fWAR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feliz | 74 | 154 | 162.2 | 9.07 | 3.1 | 0.61 | 77.1% | 2.55 | 3.1 | 3.74 | 4.2 |
| Soria | 101 | 173 | 179 | 10.06 | 2.46 | 0.8 | 82.3% | 2.66 | 2.92 | 3.04 | 4.7 |
| Save Ops | Saves | Blown Saves | Save % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feliz | 84 | 74 | 10 | 88% |
| Soria | 114 | 101 | 13 | 89% |
Well, now. If the Soria from those years should happen to appear this season, the Rangers could have themselves a nice bullpen. It is worth noting that last season was the first for Soria after having a second Tommy John surgery prior to the 2012 season. Soria had the procedure in 2003 as well).
(Call to TexasRangers reddit)