NewsInbox: Solutions to Rangers' hitting woes
Reporter T.R. Sullivan answers Rangers fans' questions
By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com
07/02/09 3:36 PM ET
It's obvious the Rangers are in a slump. I understand having a few guys not hitting, but it seems to be 12 or so right now. What is hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo doing to work with the hitters? When will blame start to drift his direction despite his great reputation?-- Justin L., Fort Worth, Texas
Jaramillo is doing the same things he did last year when the Rangers led the universe in runs scored, although he is not doing it with Milton Bradley and a productive, healthy Josh Hamilton in the lineup. The average Texas hitter can take up to 45 minutes of batting practice every day, he can look at videos of either himself or the opposing pitcher and he can go over sheaves of scouting reports. They have scouting meetings before every series. Jaramillo has not backed off in admitting his responsibility for the club's offensive performance and is working as hard as ever.
How would you compare Derek Holland's start in the Major Leagues with other top Rangers prospects: Juan Dominquez, Aaron Myette, Joaquin Benoit, Chris Young and others.-- James P., New York
Holland's 6.20 ERA is currently the eighth highest for a Rangers rookie pitcher with at least 45 innings. The Rangers would prefer him in the bullpen because his offspeed and breaking pitches aren't quite refined enough for him to be a Major League starter. He could still be a key weapon out of the bullpen, but he's probably still not quite ready as a starter.
What are Elvis Andrus' chances of being named to the All-Star team?-- Dylan F., Venus, Texas
He would have to win the players' vote, because nobody beats Derek Jeter in any popularity contest among fans. Tampa Bay's Jason Bartlett is hitting .362 but doesn't show up among the leaders because he missed almost three weeks with a sprained left ankle. He is Andrus' biggest competition.
With the No. 1 farm system in baseball and lots of prospects to offer, do you see the Rangers making a move this season for a starter like Roy Oswalt?-- Dustin F. Memphis, Texas
The Rangers simply aren't going to take on any additional payroll -- significant or otherwise -- in any trade over the next month. That's the reality of it.
At what point do the Rangers insert Hank Blalock at first base instead of Chris Davis, who is barely batting over .200? I understand Davis has saved games with his defense, but with our offense struggling right now, Blalock at first and Andruw Jones as the designated hitter seems much stronger than the current situation.-- Brandon R., Keller, Texas
It seems like the Rangers will reassess the situation at the All-Star break. Once they get Hamilton back, they will be hard-pressed to get everybody in the lineup. It may mean an outfield of Marlon Byrd, Nelson Cruz and Hamilton with David Murphy getting more at-bats at designated hitter and Blalock having to play more at first base to get in the lineup.
Out of Brandon McCarthy, Joaquin Benoit, Eric Hurley, Dustin Nippert, Neftali Feliz, Orlando Hernandez and Ben Sheets, do you believe any can contribute for the Rangers in the second half?-- Eric A., Dallas
Benoit and Hurley are out for the season. Sheets isn't likely to help anybody. McCarthy won't be back until August. Hernandez and Feliz could help in the bullpen. Nippert could be a fifth starter but more likely a long reliever. Hernandez and/or Feliz could have the biggest impact.
Now that the Rangers have a more average offense and a decent pitching staff, doesn't the ballpark look less like a hitter's park? Compared to the rest of the league, how has the ballpark compared?-- Greg S., San Antonio, Texas
The Ballpark is still second to Yankee Stadium in highest combined slugging percentage and most home runs of any facility in the Majors.
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Why did the Rangers bring up Tommy Hunter instead of Feliz?
-- Nick G., Fort Worth, Texas
Because the Rangers believe Hunter can throw four pitches over the plate at any time in the count -- a big asset for a starting pitcher -- while Feliz is not there yet with his secondary pitches.
What are the chances of Omar Vizquel coming back next season?-- James A., Plano, Texas
I can't believe he would want to sit for a second straight year behind the ironmen the Rangers employ as infielders.
Where is Thomas Diamond? How is his rehab going?-- Ian B., Plano, Texas
He has a 3.52 ERA as a reliever at Double-A Frisco.
There's been some talk about Matt Cain coming to Texas. Instead of Cain, what would it take to get someone like Tim Lincecum?-- Tyler G., Laredo, Texas
Linceum right now may be the most untouchable player in baseball.
Honestly speaking, do you see Justin Smoak getting significant playing time for the Rangers in 2010, either at DH or first base?-- Turner T., Arlington
Given the way the Rangers push their players through the farm system, it would seem inevitable that Smoak will get a shot in the Majors next season. If not before.
If the Rangers do get sold, do you think they'll move out of Arlington?-- Andrew M., Amarillo, Texas
No way. They have 24 years left on their lease for a great ballpark and the city of Dallas certainly isn't going to build a $500 million ballpark. There is no other place to go.
Why haven't the Rangers given A.J. Murray a look this year out of the bullpen? He is putting up some very nice numbers in the Minors.-- Bill R., Dallas
Right now, he is being blocked by Eddie Guardado, but he has a 1.27 ERA and may be worthy of consideration at some point.
How long will the Rangers continue to bat Ian Kinsler leadoff? He is not a patient hitter and does not work the count.-- Andy C., Sylva, North Carolina
And who does? Maybe Andrus next year or Julio Borbon in the future, but right now, Kinsler is all they have. At some point, Andrus does need to move to the top of the lineup. Jeter spent more than half his first season as a rookie at the bottom of the order, then went to the top of the lineup in his second season with the Yankees.
As a team, where do the Rangers rank in strikeouts? It looks like they should be leading the league.-- Larry A., Texarkana, Texas
They are second in the league behind the Cleveland Indians.
What are all the types of doubles plays? I never quite understood how their number combinations are determined (ex. 4-6-3).-- Dean C., Flower Mound, Texas
It's simple scoring devised 150 years ago. Each fielder is assigned a number: 1. pitcher; 2. catcher; 3. first base; 4. second base; 5. third base; 6. shortstop; 7. left field; 8. center field; and 9. right field. So 4-6-3 would be second base to shortstop to first base. I never could figure out why they changed chess notation and I refuse to take Communion with my hands at Mass, but baseball scoring remains unchanged since the days of Henry Chadwick.
Why are left-handed pitchers who throw lots of breaking balls called "crafty lefties" and right-handed pitchers are called "junkballers"?-- Luke T., Denison, Texas
Baseball loves labels and stereotypes.
Do you see Andrus as this team's leadoff hitter in the next year or so? Interestingly, I heard that very subject being debated on sports talk radio in San Diego last week.-- Tommy C., Garland, Texas
It must have been a slow news day in San Diego.
T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
