Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

One area that is notably weak for many teams entering this year’s World Baseball Classic is the starting rotation. In general, pitchers get injured more often than position players and, as a result, are usually treated more cautiously. Therefore, it is no surprise that many organizations are hesitant to allow their pitchers to throw in games that don’t affect the win-loss record of their particular clubs. However, despite the general trepidation, Team USA has managed to assemble quite an impressive WBC starting rotation.

R.A. Dickey

R.A. Dickey, Sensei of the staff. Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

At the top of the rotation is newly acquired Blue Jay’s knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. Dickey is coming off a career year, winning the NL Cy Young award, but was also very good even before last season. Over the past three years, Dickey has posted 2.73, 3.24, and 2.84 ERAs while throwing an average of 205 innings per season over that span. In fact, R.A. Dickey’s 2.95 ERA over that span is good for 11th best of all major league starters. While his fielding independent number’s aren’t quite as good (generally an indicator of luck one way or another), it should be noted that fielding independent statistics don’t generally work as well with knuckleballers as they do when evaluating traditional starters. R.A. Dickey is neither a product of luck nor is he a one-hit wonder, he is a fantastic ace for the USA pitching staff. R.A. Dickey should be feared by opposing countries, as his Karate Kid headband in the picture at right clearly indicates.

Gio Gonzalez

Gio Gonzalez, all natural National. Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

What shouldn’t be lost among all the PED allegations around Gio Gonzalez this offseason is that he had a very good 2012, and is more of a 1-a than a number 2 pitcher on this staff. Last season, Gonzalez struck out over a batter an inning and posted a 2.89 ERA for the Nats. The real area of improvement for Gonzalez last year was his walk rate. He went from walking 4.05 batters per 9 to 3.43, and the results followed. Also, Gio’s homerun rate was nearly half of what it was the previous season. Though drastic changes in homerun rates aren’t generally sustainable, improvements in walk rates do generally come with age, so that aspect could certainly be repeated or even improved. If Gio Gonzalez is anywhere close to the pitcher he was last year for the Washington Nationals, he should be a great compliment for R.A. Dickey at the top of this staff.

Ryan Vogelsong

Ryan Vogelsong, started from the bottom. Credit: H. Darr Beiser-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Vogelsong, a one-time journeyman pitcher, has turned into a very good major league starter. Before the 2011 season, Vogelsong hadn’t pitched in a major league game since 2006. Since then, he’s had two very good major league seasons for the Giants, with ERAs of 3.37 and 2.71, respectively. He is a guy who fielding independent statistics haven’t necessarily been crazy about, indicating that he may have been on the receiving end of some good luck. However, it’s been two full seasons in a row in which he’s outpitched those numbers, so he should be given some benefit of the doubt. Considering the lack of starting pitching talent among many of the teams in the WBC this year, Vogelsong is likely the best #3 starter in the bunch.

Derek Holland

Derek Holland, presumably “preheating the oven.” Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

This is where the rotation for Team USA starts to get a little thin. The good news, though, is that even the better pitching staffs among the other countries start thinning out far sooner than #4. Despite a lackluster 2012, Holland was actually better than league average in 2010 and 2011. The raw talent is there. His fastball averaged 93 mph in 2012 and 94.2 mph in 2011, as opposed to a league average of about 91.6 mph. However, fastball velocity doesn’t tell the whole story about the effectiveness of a pitcher’s repertoire. Last season Holland got batters to chase at pitches outside the zone and also induced swinging strikes at rates below league average, indicating that his stuff might not be as nasty as a quick glance at velocity may have indicated. Still, Holland has been about a league average major league pitcher over the past three years, which equates to a very good #4 starter in WBC terms. It should also be noted that Holland goes by the nickname “Dutch Oven,” giving him a significant advantage over competitors in terms of hilariousness.

Ross Detwiler

Detwiler, most likely after not inducing one of his trademark groundballs. Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

The 6’5 lefthander was the 6th overall pick in the 2007 draft, and made his major league debut later that same season. Still, despite being a highly-touted, tall lefthander with above average velocity (92.7 mph average fastball last season), Detwiler doesn’t strike many batters out. Rather than racking up Ks, what Detwiler excels at is inducing groundballs, inducing them last year at a rate of 50.8%. Though not a great starting pitcher relative to some other candidates for the roster, the high groundball rate should play extremely well with the excellent USA infield defense. Like Holland, Detwiler has an awesome nickname, National Det (clever, right?). But also like Holland, Detwiler can’t necessarily measure up to the first three pitchers in this rotation. Still, with the dearth of starting pitching in the tournament overall, Detwiler could very well be the better pitcher in most matchups he finds himself in.

Team USA’s rotation is very noticeably without the likes of Justin Verlander, Zack Greinke, Stephen Strasburg, and Clayton Kershaw. Still, the top two pitchers in the rotation represent the first and third place finishers in NL Cy Young voting last season, and pitchers 3-5 are quality major league starters. In a tournament that includes many staffs made up of lower-echelon major leaguers and developing minor league prospects, this group of USA pitchers is more than adequate. The starting rotation should be a strong point for the USA squad come tournament time.

Harrison made 32 starts for the Rangers this past season, throwing 213.1 innings (including 4 complete games). He appeared in his first career All Star Game and posted an 18-11 mark with a 3.29 ERA and 1.261 WHIP. It marked the second consecutive season in which he made 30+ starts, after going 14-9 with a 3.39 ERA in 2011. Harrison heads into the 2012 season as the presumptive #2 starter in the team’s rotation behind Yu Darvish.

(Image Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports)

He remains arbitration eligible for two more seasons after earning roughly $2.95 Million this past season.

Should the two sides fail to reach an agreement before or during Spring Training, Harrison has expressed a desire to wait until after the season concludes to resume discussions in order to avoid becoming a distraction. Texas signed two of their players – Derek Holland and Ian Kinsler – to long term deals last Spring. Holland’s contract was signed during Spring Training. Kinsler’s was done just a few days after the season began.

Holland’s extension is particularly notable. He signed a five year deal valued at $26 Million, complete with a pair of options that could bring the total value close to $45 Million. Holland had been coming off of his best season, in which he went 16-5 with a 3.95 ERA, and had pitched well for the Rangers during the previous year’s World Series. As Michael Goldermann discussed yesterday at Nolan Writin’, Holland’s extension is likely a good starting point to work from when trying to predict what Harrison may be looking at. Harrison is more of a ground ball pitcher (an appealing factor given the team’s home ballpark), isn’t nearly the same swing-and-miss type starter as he relies more on control than power, and has largely outperformed his peripherals. Essentially Harrison is more likely to maintain his level of success, rather than see a steep regression. Goldermann suggests a five year, $45 Million deal could be a reasonable figure to expect the sides to agree upon, with possible options that could bring the total value as high as $60 Million.

Texas has consistently been one of the top teams in the American League over the past few seasons, despite losing numerous players (first C.J. Wilson, more recently Josh Hamilton and Michael Young) through free agency and trades. Maintaining a strong pitching staff is going to be essential if the team is to continue being among the league’s premier teams and locking up another key piece of that staff may prove to be a significant move in the long haul.

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Last season, he pitched 175.1 innings with a 4.67 ERA in an average year. The young starter has definitely pitched better than this, as he sported a sub-4.00 ERA and was worth 3.8 WAR in the 2011 season. Holland has done a good job of striking out hitters and is improving his control with each year. Even though he had a lower BABIP than his career average, Holland did receive a degree of bad luck with a 15.2 HR/FB% that led to a swing in home runs allowed per nine innings (1.64).

That number will almost certainly be lower in 2013 and beyond, but Holland isn’t exactly the best pitcher around at limiting the long ball. However, his peripherals are solid and he has plenty of upside going forward at 26. The Rangers will be able to get a great haul if they do decide to deal Holland, because he is a solid 3 WAR pitcher capable of posting above-average ERA totals year-in and year-out.

Currently on a team-friendly deal after signing an extension last offseason, the Rangers will most likely hold on to Holland. The only way that I can envision Holland getting trade to the Twins, Brewers, Royals, or some other team is if the Rangers are able to sign Zack Greinke. Even then, Jon Daniels isn’t going to deal Holland unless if he gets a deal he just can’t pass up.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.

Colby Lewis is the most recent Rangers' pitcher to hit the disabled list. (Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE)

weeks.  This came after they went six weeks without a single player hitting the DL.  Lewis was placed on the 15-day DL yesterday with an inflamed right forearm.

The tendinitis started flaring up after his last start on June 17th.  Since the pain and inflammation has not gone away, the Rangers had no choice but the add Lewis to the growing list of injured pitchers on the DL.

“It’s just one of those situations, better to be safe than sorry, and not push the issue now and not be able to be there for these guys at the end of the year,” Lewis said. “You have to listen to your body, and I’m not going to push it.”

Lewis is 6-6 with a 3.51 ERA this season.  He’s been one of the Rangers best pitchers this year, and he is averaging his lowest number of walks per nine innings of his career.  In his eight seasons, Lewis has a career ERA of 4.78.  However, much of that is loaded with early-career struggles.  He had ERA’s of 6.29 and 7.30 in his first two years in the league.

With the injury, the Rangers have called up prospect Martin Perez.  Roy Oswalt was recently called up as well. He has made one start and performed well.  The Rangers expect to get Alexi Ogando and Derek Holland back soon, but they will need consistently healthy pitchers if they are to maintain their lead in the American League West.

For more on the Rangers, be sure to check out Nolan Writin’.

Martin perez will get his chance with the Rangers as Texas has called up the top prospect. (Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE)

Perez.  Derek Holland, Neftali Feliz, Alexi Ogando, Koji Uehara, and now Colby Lewis are all members of the Rangers’ disabled pitchers club.  Roy Oswalt should provide the team a nice boost, but Perez’s addition will give them a glimpse at the future.

Perez was signed out of Venezuela in 2008.  He made his minor league debut with the Spokane Indians of the Northwest League.  Over four minor league seasons, Perez made his way from Low-A ball to Triple-A, about an average progression for a highly-touted prospect.  However, his numbers are not indicative of a top-level prospect.

In his minor league career, a total of 108 games, Perez has started 98 games and has a 4.29 ERA.  He’s 25-29 in those starts.  This season with Round Rock, Perez has a 5-5 record with a 4.59 ERA.  He has the talent, but he’s yet to put it together.

Prior to this season, Baseball America rated him the number 31 prospect in all of baseball.  Prior to 2010, he was rate the number 17 overall prospect.  While he’s slipped a bit, Perez still has a great deal of talent.  His struggles aren’t with the long ball, which will help him while pitching for Texas – especially at the Ballpark at Arlington.  His career HR/9 ratio is just 0.7.

The Rangers are currently 45-29 and 4 games up on the Angels.  They have the ninth-best team ERA in all of baseball, but that won’t be sustainable with the injuries – unless players like Perez can step up and contribute.

For more on the Rangers, be sure to check out Nolan Writin’. 

• While Bryce Harper is getting all the attention in the National League, Mike Troutis putting together a
  

  Mike Trout may be having a better season than Bryce Harper. In fact, Trout may be having the best season ever. (Kelvin Kuo-US PRESSWIRE)

  performance that may be even more unprecedented.  Our friends at Seedlings to Stars took a look at Trout’s year so far, and Andrew Orlebeke thinks his year could be the best ever.  Orlebeke is basing his assessment on Trout’s WAR so far this year and projections for future performance this season.  Trout is currently hitting .341/.401/.541 with six home run and 16 stolen bases.  His WAR (Baseball Reference) is sitting at 3.1 already – and climbing.

• According to the AP, Justin Grimmwill be called up from Double-A Frisco to start Saturday’s game for the Rangers.  The righty was just named to the Texas League All-Star team, but now he will be making his Major League debut sooner than he or anyone else ever thought.Stephen Hawkins of the Associated Press reported that the Rangers will purchase Grimm’s contract and give him the start this Saturday in the wake of a slew of injuries to the team’s pitchers.  Grim was 8-3 with a 1.87 ERA in 13 starts for the Frisco RoughRiders.
• In related news, Koji Uehara will hit the disabled list.  He will join Derek Holland, Alexi Ogando, and Neftali Feliz on the DL.  According to Drew Davison of the Star-Telegram, Uehara was injured last Saturday while pitching against the San Francisco Giants.  He’s being placed on the DL now to make room for Justin Grimm.  Uehara has a 2.11 ERA this year in 21 1/3 innings.  He’s sticking out 11 batters for every walk he issues.  The loss will be another big blow to the Rangers bullpen.
• The Seattle Post Intelligencertalked about the Seattle Mariners differences at home and on the road.  The Mariners are hitting below .200 at home, but they are hitting .257 on the road.  Seattle is eight games under .500 at home and only three games under on the road.“Offensively, we’ve just gotta figure this out here at home. It’s no secret,” manager Eric Wedge said after Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to the San Diego Padres. “We’ve shown what we’re capable of doing on the road. And we’ve just gotta work to help these guys get over the hump here at home, to where we can go out there and be the offensive team that we’ve shown to be very capable of being.”
• In other Mariners news, Steven Hensley was promoted to Triple-A.  Andrew Pearson of Citizen-Times reported that Hensley would join the Mariners’ Triple-A affiliate and is now one step closer to fulfilling his dream of cracking the Major League roster.  Hensley was 2-2 with a 3.24 ERA at Double-A this season.

Alexi Ogando may be headed to the disabled list after straining his groin. (Kelley L. Cox-US PRESSWIRE)

According to Eric Gilmore of the Dallas Daily News, Ogando strained his groin while trying to beat out a bunt in the top of the fourth inning.  The Rangers have not yet placed Ogando on the disabled list, and he will be evaluated by doctors, but it is unlikely he will make his next scheduled start on Saturday.

The Rangers had been the league’s healthiest team until they lost Neftali Feliz to elbow inflammation on May 21st and Derek Holland to shoulder fatigue just a few days ago.  Now, Texas is at risk of losing a third starter to the disabled list.

Ogando had moved into the rotation and made his first start of the year yesterday after Derek Holland went to the disabled list.  He started 29 games last season, but he was used out of the bullpen this year.  So far this year, Ogando has pitched 34 2/3 innings and has an ERA of 2.08.  He had tossed three scoreless innings in yesterday’s game before the injury.  Last year, Ogando went 13-8 with a 3.51 ERA for the Rangers.

Ogando was asked about the injury after the game and said, “Right now, it feels pretty bad.”

He will be evaluated today, and we should get word on whether the Rangers will put him on the disabled list.  There has not yet been a decision made about who will replace Ogando in the rotation should he miss his start Saturday or be placed on the disabled list, but Ron Washington said the team has “contingencies” in place.

The Rangers still have Roy Oswalt making tune up starts, but he could be an option if Ogando has to miss any extended period of time.

For more on the Rangers, be sure to check out Nolan Writin’.

The Rangers have placed Derek Holland on the DL with left shoulder fatigue. (Jim Cowsert-US PRESSWIRE)

Rangers – once the hottest team in baseball – have lost five of their last seven games.  However, a bigger loss may be Holland.

Holland was diagnosed with fatigue of the left shoulder.  He 5-4 this season with a 5.10 ERA.  This comes after last season’s breakout success in which he posted a 16-5 record with a 3.95 ERA.  Holland, in addition to the shoulder fatigue, has been battling a stomach virus that has caused him to lose up to 15 pounds.

The move to the disabled list is retroactive to Wednesday, and the Rangers recalled Tanner Scheppers from Triple-A to fill out the roster.  Scheppers was 1-2 with a 3.72 ERA with Triple-A Round Rock.  He will head to the bullpen, and Alexi Ogando will take Holland’s place in the rotation.

Ogando has pitched from the bullpen this season, but he started 29 games for the Rangers last year.  He is currently 1-0 with a 2.27 ERA in 31 2/3 innings this year.  Last season, Ogando went 13-8 with a 3.51 ERA while in the Rangers’ rotation.

Holland was slated to be the Rangers number three pitcher this season behind Yu Darvish and Colby Lewis.  However, he has struggled.  In his last two outings, Holland has given up 11 runs in seven innings of work.  He lasted only 1 2/3 innings on May 30th.  In his last start, a win, Holland lasted 5 1.3 innings and gave up three runs.

Holland’s performance last season earned him a new contract this offseason.  His new contract is for five years, $28.5 million.  There are also two years with team options that could push the contract to seven years.

Texas still holds a four game lead over the Angels, but with Holland on the disabled list, Darvish’s lack of consistency, and their struggles at the plate of late, it won’t take much for Los Angeles to catch them.

For more on the Texas Rangers, be sure to check out Nolan Writin’.

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Led by a monster 8-RBI performance from slugger Nelson Cruz, the Texas Rangers blew out the Toronto Blue Jays 14-3. Both teams are playing well this season, with the Rangers still at the top of our site’s power rankings. Adrian Beltre, Michael Young, and Mitch Moreland all had three hits each to supplement Cruz’s four-hit ballgame. Elvis Andrus finished with three walks, Cruz homered, and Josh Hamilton hit a shot in the second for his 19th of the year. Rangers starter Derek Holland shut down the Jays over 7.1 innings with five hits, two runs, and a walk allowed to go with nine strikeouts. Brandon Morrow gave up six earned runs, five hits, and three walks and got only two hitters out. (more…)