Inbox: What's Texas' plan for expanded roster?

Beat reporter T.R. Sullivan answers questions from Rangers fans

August 21st, 2017

With the Rangers hanging around in the American League Wild Card race, do you think we will see any September callups get significant playing time?
-- Brady R. Waco, Texas

No, not unless there is a significant injury. and are already on the big league roster, so as long as the Rangers are in AL Wild Card contention, the September callups will likely be for depth.
Figure that , and will be back to strengthen the bench. A third catcher is usually desirable in September, although the Rangers don't have one on the 40-man roster.
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A left-handed reliever is the Rangers' biggest need, so if Jake Diekman returns, it will be huge. Or possibly .
The most interesting potential callup is whether the Rangers will call up hard-throwing right-hander from Double-A Frisco. He was moved to the bullpen in midseason and struggled initially, but he has pitched much better lately.
Will the Rangers try to re-sign ? Or will they feel more comfortable using and Robinson in center field next year?
-- Andrew A. Fort Worth, Texas

The Rangers have three big decisions before they get to Gomez. First of all, they need to settle on a position for Joey Gallo. He is too valuable offensively to bouncing around defensively. The guess is he will be anchored at first base if returns.
Secondly, the Rangers need to commit to DeShields. He offers too much offensively on a team too dependent on home runs. Defensively though, the Rangers probably prefer him in left.
That leaves Robinson, who the Rangers see as a frontline talent. But he is unproven, and the Rangers are usually reluctant to hand over a position to an unproven young player without veteran options.
Is there anybody on the Rangers who has walked so little and struck out so much as has this season?
-- Brian C. Oklahoma City

Odor has 20 walks and 119 strikeouts. Only four times in Rangers history has a player finished with 25 or fewer walks and more than 100 strikeouts in a season: Chris Davis in 2009 (24, 150), Odor last year (19, 135), Laynce Nix in 2004 (23, 113) and Chaudell Washington in 1977 (25, 112).

Is there anyone in the Rangers' farm system with a reputation as the "tough out" guy who could make a splash this season or in 2018?
-- David G. Grand Forks, N.D.

That's why the Rangers like , who was acquired from the Dodgers in the trade. Calhoun, the organization's No. 2 prospect as ranked by MLBPipeline.com, has 54 strikeouts in 434 at-bats. There are 100 players in the Minor Leagues with at least 438 at-bats, and only five have less than 54 strikeouts (there are 38 with more than 100 strikeouts).
When will the Rangers find out the player to be named from the trade. Will it be after the season?
-- Derek H. Arlington

If the Rangers are picking from a list of players, it could be September once the Minor League season is over and they are done scouting the Rockies' farm system. Same thing with the Giants and the Sam Dyson trade. Occasionally teams will wait until after the Rule 5 Draft if they don't want to lock up a spot on the 40-man roster.
Do any of the Rangers spend time learning musical instruments like a Bernie Williams?
-- Paul D. Grapevine

A.J. Griffin is an accomplished guitar player who performs in public back home in Scottsdale, Ariz.
What's the deal with Profar?
-- Isidoro T., Buda, Texas

He is still in Triple-A purgatory, a player with Major League talent blocked in Arlington by and Odor. Profar is obviously frustrated and understandably so, but he has no recourse but to wait for the Rangers to make a decision.
What are the chances of our Rangers wearing pinstripes? I'd love to see them in white with red or blue stripes, or even better, alternating stripes on the same uniform.
-- Kitty T. Arlington

Why not? They've tried everything else. The expansion Washington Senators started out in really sharp pinstripes.
What's the deal with picking "Despacito" as his walk-up music? Was this a goof or a dare? Or does he really like the song?
-- Michael M. El Paso, Texas

Maybe Justin Bieber is bigger in South Korea than West Texas.