Even though the Texas Rangers have had it rough in the American League West, they have shown some signs of life lately. One big reason for that has been the play of two of their top prospects: Cole Ragans and Bubba Thompson.
Ragans, a left-handed starter, has been impressive, especially in his first start. In his three starts, he’s gone 0-2 with a 5.02 ERA in 14.1 innings, and he’s struck out 7 batters.
Thompson, an outfielder, has been even better. He’s hitting .250/.304/.269/.573 with five RBI in sixteen games. He’s also stolen five bases.
The Rangers haven’t been good lately, but Ragans and Thompson have given the team and its fans some much-needed hope for the future. Here are five reasons for it:
1. They’re Young
Ragans is just 24 years old, and so is Thompson. They’re the type of players that can be part of a Rangers’ turnaround, and since they’re young, they’ve got plenty of energy and time to devote to the team.
2. They’re Talented
Both Ragans and Thompson have a lot of talent. Ragans has the potential to be a middle-of-the-rotation starter, and Thompson has the potential to be a middle-of-the-order hitter with some speed.
3. They’re Controllable
Because Ragans and Thompson are still pre-arbitration, the Rangers have them under team control for the next few years. This is valuable for a Rangers team that is trying to stay competitive while rebuilding their team to ensure they win!
4. They’re Already Contributing
Most prospects take some time to develop and adjust to the major leagues. Ragans and Thompson have already shown they can contribute at the big league level, and they alone have made big plays that contributed to the team’s improvement. Skill-wise, both Ragans and Thompson provide the Rangers with much-needed depth.
5. They Could Be Part of a Core
The Rangers are hoping that Ragans and Thompson can be part of a young core that also includes third baseman Joey Gallo and shortstop Elvis Andrus. If that group can develop together, the Rangers could be a force in the AL West for years to come.
Conclusion
All in all, both Ragans and Thompson were the talents that the Rangers needed to finally bring hope in winning the league and also assure their fans that brighter days are to come! Either way, thanks to their individual and team skills, they’ve brought a lot of success to the team, and as long as they stick around, we can enjoy the great plays from the team and great big wins!
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