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Texas Rangers: Willie Calhoun breaks jaw; who’s the next man up in the outfield?

By Travis Koch

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 30: Scott Heineman #16 of the Texas Rangers tosses his bat after striking out in the eighth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Park in Arlington on August 30, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 30: Scott Heineman #16 of the Texas Rangers tosses his bat after striking out in the eighth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Park in Arlington on August 30, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

A brutal injury to Willie Calhoun will force the Texas Rangers to alter their left-field plans. Who might man the position come opening day?

The Texas Rangers suffered a tough loss Sunday afternoon when Willie Calhoun took a 95 mph fastball to the jaw. A fractured jaw is the reported diagnosis; Calhoun is expected to miss substantial time.

Texas had a starting outfield in place, but they are now forced to adjust. Danny Santana is expected to start in center field and right field is Joey Gallo‘s. Who are the emerging candidates to take over for Calhoun in left?

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Scott Heineman

Spring stats: 9-for-25, .429 OBP, .949 OPS, , 0 HRs, 4 Ks

Scott Heineman may have the edge as a homegrown talent. The 27-year-old and Texas Rangers’ 2018 minor league player of the year debuted with the big club last season. He hit .213 with two home runs and a .306 OBP over 75 at-bats. His time in the outfield was split almost equally, as he appeared in left field six times, center field nine times, and right field eight times.

Heineman is a safe option. He’ll play solid defense, though it’s unlikely he’ll wow at the plate. He’d tuck into the 8th or 9th place in the Texas lineup, hopefully reaching base often to reset the table for the top guys in the order.

He hit .295 with a .355 OBP at Triple-A in 2018, and .340 with a .412 OBP in 42 games at the same level in 2019. Thus, he’s shown an ability to square the ball and put the ball in play. The next step is for him to prove such ability against major league pitching.

The Rangers like him a lot. If he keeps up the pace this spring, there’s a good chance he jogs out to left on opening day.

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