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Texas Rangers’ Nomar Mazara shines in MLB debut

By Greg Goldstein

Apr 10, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Texas Rangers right fielder Nomar Mazara runs the bases after he hit a solo home run during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Texas Rangers right fielder Nomar Mazara runs the bases after he hit a solo home run during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Texas Rangers top prospect Nomar Mazara gave fans reason to be excited about his potential in his major league debut.

Outfielder Nomar Mazara made his major league debut yesterday and it was a day to remember for the Texas Rangers top prospect. Mazara finished the game going 3-for-4 at the plate with one of those hits being a bomb over the center field wall.

Mazara was signed in July 2011 as an international free agent from the Dominican Republic. He had worked his way through the Rangers farm system and has been highly touted by the team for many years. At the start of this season, the 20-year-old rookie was ranked as the number-three prospect in the Rangers farm system and the number-17 overall prospect (#2 minor league outfielder) in the minor leagues by MLB Pipeline.

Yesterday’s game against the Angels put on full display the skills that have made the outfielder so highly ranked by many minor league publications. Mazara showed off his smooth swing, reaching out over the plate, keeping his hands back and hitting soft singles into right field. He also showed the type of power that he is capable of at such a young age.

The young outfielder has shown a distinct ability to hit for power throughout his minor league career. In the past two seasons, Mazara has hit a combined 36 home runs and 47 doubles. He also held an on-base percentage of .366 and .362 in 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The Rangers traded many key prospects including outfielder Nick Williams, catcher Jorge Alfaro and pitchers Jake Thompson, Alec Asher and Jared Eickhoff for Cole Hamels last summer. All of these prospects were ranked in the team’s top 30 list from MLB Pipeline. The organization does still have Mazara and their their top two position player prospects in first baseman Joey Gallo and outfielder Lewis Brinson, but Mazara definitely holds more importance to the club’s future plans now that many other highly ranked prospects are with the Phillies.

Mazara should get an extended look in the outfield with Shin-Soo Choo on the disabled list for the foreseeable future. While he may be young, as he turns 21 later this month, Mazara certainly has the physical tools and the power to compete at the major league level. He will definitely face an adjustment period as major league pitchers start to figure out how to pitch to the left-handed hitter, but he has the hitting chops to make an impact. Rangers manager Jeff Bannister was especially impressed with his demeanor at the plate.

"“A memorable debut for the young man,” Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. “Three hits and a home run … that’s a special day. Great poise, he walked up there in the first inning and didn’t get caught up. He stayed with his approach.”"

(Quote from MLB.com article).

Mazara himself was pleased that he was able to have such a successful first game at the major league level, but winning is what matters most to the young outfielder as the team lost 3-1 to the Angels.

"“My first game … it was great, but we didn’t win,” said Mazara.”It would have been better if we had won.”"

(Quote from MLB.com article).

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While Mazara may have liked to win the ballgame, he did give Rangers fans excitement for what the future holds for the 20-year-old. Mazara has legitimate power and is a top prospect for a reason. He certainly has the potential to play a key role in the Rangers lineup this season, and Sunday was a definitely a good start.

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