Fantasy Baseball Preview: Texas Rangers Lineup

By Adam Rickert on Thursday, March 6th 2014
Fantasy Baseball Preview: Texas Rangers Lineup

The Texas Rangers were one of the biggest winners this offseason and will boast a lineup full of big names and fantasy studs. Here is a look at each Rangers' starter from a fantasy perspective.

Their projected stats will be listed next to their names in parentheses.

 

LF Shin-Soo Choo (.282 average, 23 HR, 55 RBI, 20 SB, 105 R)

Choo had a monster year in 2013 as the leadoff hitter for the Cincinnati Reds. He was also loved by all of his fantasy owners as he hit for average and power while stealing a lot of bases and scoring a lot of runs.

Expect him to do the same this year, and maybe even better. He will be hitting in front of some of the best in the game and will have an easy right field fence to pop some home runs over.

 

SS Elvis Andrus (.281 average, 5 HR, 62 RBI, 39 SB, 94 R)

Andrus may be one of the best options at shortstop, which is arguably the weakest position in fantasy baseball this year. He will not take an early pick away from you, but will provide you with some good stats.

While Andrus will not hit for power, expect him to hit at about a .280 clip with a ton of runs and stolen bases.

 

1B Prince Fielder (.286 average, 34 HR, 103 RBI, 1 SB, 89 R)

The power-hitting Fielder had one of the worst years of his career last year and had an absolutely awful performance in the postseason with the Detroit Tigers. This, as well as his hefty contract, led to Detroit trading him to Texas for Ian Kinsler, who made headlines this week with his comments on the Rangers' management.

Fielder will have a much better season in Texas this year. He is once again surrounded by all sorts of talent in Texas's lineup, but has a much easier right field fence to hit home runs over. The Prince could have a huge year at the plate, and his power numbers will certainly increase.

 

3B Adrian Beltre (.309 average, 31 HR, 104 RBI, 1 SB, 84 R)

Beltre is one of the best offensive third basemen in the league, and should be expected to drive in a huge amount of runs hitting behind Choo, Andrus and Fielder.

He has consistently put up great contact and power numbers, and this year should be no different. Third base is not one of the deeper positions in this year's fantasy pool, so taking Beltre in the second round may end up being a wise decision.

 

RF Alex Rios (.281 average, 16 HR, 83 RBI, 34 SB, 77 R)

Rios is an interesting case. He had a horrible 2011 with the Chicago White Sox, but then turned it around and had two solid years. He is a good depth outfielder with plenty of speed to help you get stolent bases, and he has some pop in his bat as well.

There will be a lot of pressure on Rios hitting in the fifth spot, as he will hit behind arguably the best top four hitters in all of baseball. This could end up paying dividends for fantasy owners, though, as Rios may drive in a large amount of runs.

 

DH Mitch Moreland (.247 average, 24 HR, 68 RBI, 1 SB, 54 R)

Moreland will likely be a backup first baseman in deeper fantasy leagues, as his inability to hit for average could hurt his value.

While he can hit for decent power, he may bring your team's batting average down if you regularly slot him in your lineup.

 

2B Jurickson Profar (.252 average, 14 HR, 48 RBI, 14 SB, 58 R)

Profar is one of the top prospects in baseball, but he did not make a big impact in his first major league action last year. He will likely show improvement this season as the team's starting second baseman, but it is best to keep him as a backup if you own him for your fantasy team.

 

C Geovany Soto (.226 average, 5 HR, 32 RBI, 2 SB, 37 R)

Like Moreland, Soto will likely only be used as a backup option in deeper leagues. In fact, Soto may not even be worth spending a late pick on, as J.P. Arencibia may end up taking his spot as the top catcher on the team if Soto doesn't improve.

Soto has been in a decline since his breakout season of 2008. His power numbers have gone down significantly, and he has not been able to hit for average very well.

 

CF  Leonys Martin (.268 average, 11 HR, 50 RBI, 38 RBI, 71 R)

Martin could be a fantasy bargain, especially if your team is in need of stolen bases. He only hit .260 last year, but he stole 36 bases. Expect his average to improve this year and consider adding him as a backup outfielder for your fantasy squad.

Stay In Touch

Scores

Tigers
0
Phillies
2
Cardinals
0
Mets
2
Bottom of 3rd
Rays
4
Blue Jays
1
Bottom of 3rd
Pirates
0
Orioles
0
Bottom of 3rd
Braves
2
Red Sox
3
Phillies
5
Marlins
1
Bottom of 2nd
Twins
1
Yankees
8
3:05 PM ET
Reds
-
Angels
-
3:05 PM ET
Cubs
-
Guardians
-
3:05 PM ET
Royals
-
Athletics
-
3:05 PM ET
Giants
-
Dodgers
-
3:05 PM ET
White Sox
-
Rangers
-
3:10 PM ET
Rockies
-
Padres
-
3:10 PM ET
Brewers
-
White Sox
-
6:05 PM ET
Nationals
-
Astros
-
8:10 PM ET
Mariners
-
Diamondbacks
-
Orioles
6
Tigers
5
Astros
0
Mets
5
Cardinals
9
Astros
4
Red Sox
7
Rays
5
Pirates
6
Twins
4
Phillies
7
Nationals
3
Yankees
7
Braves
3
Blue Jays
7
Marlins
8
Reds
11
Padres
10
Giants
3
Rockies
11
Athletics
7
Rangers
3
Dodgers
7
White Sox
6
Rangers
1
Brewers
5
Angels
5
Cubs
4
Diamondbacks
13
Royals
10
Mariners
8
Guardians
7
1:05 PM ET
Astros
-
Pirates
-
1:05 PM ET
Rays
-
Tigers
-
1:05 PM ET
Red Sox
-
Twins
-
1:05 PM ET
Orioles
-
Braves
-
1:05 PM ET
Yankees
-
Blue Jays
-
1:07 PM ET
Blue Jays
-
Phillies
-
1:10 PM ET
Mets
-
Nationals
-
1:10 PM ET
Marlins
-
Cardinals
-
3:05 PM ET
Dodgers
-
Cubs
-
3:05 PM ET
Athletics
-
Giants
-
3:05 PM ET
Rangers
-
Dodgers
-
3:05 PM ET
Guardians
-
White Sox
-
3:10 PM ET
Angels
-
Diamondbacks
-
3:10 PM ET
Rockies
-
Royals
-
3:10 PM ET
Padres
-
Mariners
-
3:10 PM ET
Brewers
-
Reds
-