Rangers updates: AFL participants and more

It has been a busy couple of days in the news cycle for the Texas Rangers. The coaching staff has seen some changes, participants of the Arizona Fall League have been announced, Cole Winn and Bubba Thompson have been recognized by the Double-A Central, and the Rangers have claimed their 1st player of the off-season.

Let’s dive right in on the news.

Rangers make changes to the coaching staff

Bench coach Don Wakamatsu and hitting coach Luis Ortiz have been informed that they will not be returning in 2022.

Assistant hitting coach Carlos Martinez will also not be returning. Callix Crabbe and Alex Burg, the production coordinator, are in a wait-and-see mode as they have been given permission to talk to other teams.

Levi Weaver of The Athletic, tweeted out on Wednesday per sources, the Rangers have parted ways with their pitching coordinator, Jono Arnold and Josue Pérez, Double-A Frisco hitting coach. Jordan Tiegs will be the pitching coordinator.

Arizona Fall League Participants

The Texas Rangers Arizona Fall League participants were announced. A couple of the organization’s top prospects will be participating. Justin Foscue, Sam Huff, Ezequiel Duran and then pitchers: Owen White, Tim Brennan, Eudrys Manon and Spencer Mraz will be joining the Surprise Saguaros. Remember that Justin Foscue missed the last couple of games at the end of the RoughRiders season because of a what is assumed a small injury. It was good to see that it wasn’t anything major.

The Surprise Saguaros will be comprised of players from the Washington Nationals, Texas Rangers, Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees and they will be competing against the five other teams.

Some important dates for the Arizona Fall League.

• Opening Day Wednesday, Oct. 13
• Fall Stars Game Saturday, Nov. 13
• Championship Game Saturday, Nov. 20

Cole Winn and Bubba Thompson recognized by the Double-A Central

Both players had a great season by all accounts and played a key role in the RoughRiders success this season. The organization couldn’t have asked for a better season for Cole Winn, who was honored with Pitcher of the Year.

Bubba Thompson was named an All-Star for an outfielder. Health has always been key for Thompson and he was able to remain on the field the entire season. The Rangers will need to add Thompson to the 40-man this winter to protect him from the rule-5 draft.

I expect both Winn and will see the majority of their season in 2022 being spent in Round Rock.