Inbox: Biggest positives of Rangers camp?

Inbox: Biggest positives of Rangers camp?

March 28th, 2017

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Wrapping up Spring Training by answering some of the major questions surrounding the Rangers...
1. What were the biggest positives in camp?
Obviously it starts with , who was the camp MVP, although was right behind. had a good camp and that bodes well for his upcoming season. From the pitching side, A.J. Griffin seized a spot in the rotation, Cole Hamels, and appear to be headed to the top of their game and was a terrific development as a Rule 5 Draft pick.

But on the whole, the bullpen may have been the biggest positive. Usually there are question marks going into the season, but the Rangers look like they could have an especially strong bullpen.
2. What were the negatives?
The Rangers were hoping would be ready to roll, but the soreness in his biceps set him back to mid-to-late April. suffering a partially torn UCL was a setback for a pitcher who appeared ready to figure things out. Other than some minor injuries and the disruption by players gone to the World Baseball Classic, it was a relatively smooth camp.
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3. Will Josh Hamilton ever play again after another knee surgery?
Who knows? He is currently rehabbing in Houston. It will be a step-by-step process. The Rangers aren't counting on him. The next step for him will be to begin baseball activities.
4. Who is the pivotal player for the Rangers?
. The Rangers have invested much in the fact that his terrific six-week turnaround at the end of last season was not an aberration. The jammed shoulder at the end of camp is bad timing.

5. When will be ready to pitch in the Majors?
He has done extremely well to this point. It could be as early as the first week of May. The Rangers are excited.
6. What will happen with ?
He makes the team as a utility player. He is a switch-hitter but his left-handed bat is way ahead of the right side. The Rangers will be challenged to get him playing time if DeShields is really ready to take off. It's a shame Profar can't be an everyday middle infielder for somebody.

7. Who is the most intriguing player in camp?
Knuckleballer . He may not make the team out of camp, but the Rangers are quite intrigued by his growing mastery as a knuckleballer.
8. Now that is older and more mature, is he less vocal and carefree around the clubhouse and batting cage?
Fat chance.

9. Breakout year?
All eyes are on to see how good he can be.
10. Will they win the AL West?
The lineup is strong 1-9 with , , Mike Napoli and at the heart. The bullpen looks terrific. The defense needs to be better, especially up the middle. It always comes back to the rotation but Hamels, Perez and Darvish are an enviable starting point.
The Rangers aren't getting much preseason love, but that's standard operating procedure.