Well, let me tell ya, back in 2017, the Texas Rangers had a season that was a bit of a rollercoaster ride. They ended up with a record of 78 wins and 84 losses, which didn’t quite cut it, ya know? They finished 4th in the AL West, just sittin’ there, watchin’ the others pull ahead. But let’s take a good ol’ look at the roster, ’cause that’s where the real story lies, even if the numbers didn’t always shine.
Pitchers: The Heart and Soul
Now, a team can’t go far without a solid group of pitchers, right? The 2017 Rangers had a few folks on the mound who were decent, though things didn’t always work out like they hoped. There was Yu Darvish, a real big name back then, though he got traded away to the Dodgers before the season ended. Still, he was part of the team early in the year, and folks still talk about those games he started.
Other pitchers like A.J. Griffin and Martin Pérez did their best, but it was clear the pitching staff wasn’t as strong as it could’ve been. When the bullpen is shaky, it’s like tryin’ to patch up a roof with duct tape – it might hold for a bit, but it’s never gonna be perfect.
The Batting: Big Hits and Big Misses
When it came to hitting, well, there were a couple of standouts. Joey Gallo, now, he could swing that bat like nobody’s business. He hit 41 home runs in 2017, which was the best on the team. Folks in Arlington sure loved watchin’ him knock them balls outta the park. But here’s the thing, as good as Gallo was at hittin’ them homers, his batting average wasn’t exactly what you’d call “consistent.” He struck out a lot, but when he connected, it was worth the wait.
Then there was Elvis Andrus. He wasn’t the power hitter like Gallo, but he got on base and made things happen. He led the team in hits, and folks loved him for that. Even when the team was struggle-busin’ through the season, Andrus was steady. Not too flashy, but always workin’ hard.
And you can’t forget about Shin-Soo Choo, who brought some veteran presence to the lineup. He had a solid on-base percentage and worked pitchers. He wasn’t a young buck anymore, but he sure could still hold his own at the plate.
Infield: The Backbone
The infield was anchored by Andrus at shortstop, of course, and Rougned Odor at second. Now, Odor, he was a feisty one. Had a bit of a temper, I reckon, but he was a solid player. He had his moments where he could really turn things around with a big hit or a great play. But, like a lot of ’em, consistency was the key that seemed to be missin’ all season long.
Outfield: A Bit of Spark
The outfield in 2017 wasn’t too shabby either. Nomar Mazara was one of the key players out there. He had a good year at the plate, contributing with some nice power numbers. He was young, and you could tell he had potential for more. With Gallo on one side and Mazara on the other, the outfield had some promise. But like the rest of the team, the results were a bit up and down.
The Overall Picture
Now, I don’t want to be too hard on the 2017 Rangers. They had their moments, no doubt. But there were a lot of gaps that needed fillin’. Whether it was a lack of consistency at the plate or some pitching struggles, things just didn’t quite come together. They had some folks who could light up the scoreboard, but not enough to keep them in the hunt for the playoffs.
But let me tell ya, this is baseball. You win some, you lose some. And you just gotta keep pushin’. The 2017 season was a lesson for the Rangers, and I reckon they learned a lot from it, even if the final record didn’t look too pretty. Here’s hopin’ they can turn things around in the future and make those fans proud again.
Key Players on the 2017 Texas Rangers Roster
- Joey Gallo – 41 home runs, a real slugger.
- Elvis Andrus – Lead the team in hits.
- Yu Darvish – Star pitcher early in the season before he was traded.
- Rougned Odor – Feisty second baseman with power.
- Shin-Soo Choo – Veteran presence with a solid on-base percentage.
So, there you have it. The 2017 Texas Rangers, a team that tried their best, but just couldn’t put it all together. Maybe next year, they’ll get it right and make a real run for the postseason. But for now, we’ll just keep watchin’ and hopin’ they can make the necessary changes to improve.
Tags：[Texas Rangers, 2017 Texas Rangers, MLB, Joey Gallo, Yu Darvish, Elvis Andrus, Rougned Odor, Shin-Soo Choo, Texas Rangers Roster, MLB Team Roster]
