Today we begin our offseason Rangers position series with a look at the infield.
Infielders: SS Elvis Andrus, 3B Adrian Beltre, 1B Prince Fielder, 2B Ed Lucas, 1B Mitch Moreland, 2B Rougned Odor, 2B Jurickson Profar, Utl Adam Rosales, Utl Ryan Rua and 2B Luis Sardinas.
Most productive infielder: Beltre
Least productive infielder: Fielder
Stat of note: Odor's 8.0 AB/RBI ratio was third on the team.
Outlook: Beltre (.324/.388/.492) was the MVP of the team but he can’t be expected to carry the team offensively again in 2015. He needs Fielder (42 games) to return from neck surgery and Andrus (career-low .314 OBP, major league leading 15 CS) to have a much better season. Odor is the favorite to take over the starting job at second, don’t count out Profar (shoulder) who is trying to recover from his injuries. Rua needs to find a home and will compete with Rosales as a utility man in 2015. It seems Rua (.740 OPS in 28 games) is a better hitter and that might give him an edge with new manager Jeff Banister wanting more power in the lineup. Moreland is in a similar situation as Fielder, a good power hitter, coming back from injury. If Moreland can produce, he becomes nice piece in the bottom of the lineup as a DH or first baseman.
