Though the Rangers lost to the Oakland Athletics last night when CJ Wilson blew a two-run lead in the ninth inning, they got a very pleasant surprise out of rookie Neftali Feliz (seen to the right carrying a Dora the Explorer backpack), who made his major league debut out of the bullpen.
Feliz, a normal starter, got the call to relieve Dustin Nippert in the home half of the sixth inning, and to say he was spectacular would be an understatement. Neftali threw 30 pitches in two innings, 21 of which were strikes, struck out the first three batters he faced (four total), and topped 100mph on the gun six times.
While the Rangers are still in the hunt for the playoffs, looking ahead to next season, this club is going to be nasty. With Feliz, Derrick Holland and Bruce Feldmen all coming into their own as young pitchers, the Rangers will need to find just one free agent starter to put together a very solid pitching rotation.
And if it were possible, the Rangers offense could get even better. Right now they lead baseball in home runs – yes even the Yankees who play in the best hitters park in the league – and that’s without any contributions from the teams biggest power threats, Josh Hamilton (he is hurting the team with a .226 average and only seven bombs) and Chris Davis (was sent down earlier this season). With Michael Young continuing to be one of the most consistant players in the league – you can count on him for .300/200 hits/15+ homers every season – and Ian Kinsler getting better every at-bat, there is no reason to think otherwise.
Imagine if Justin Smoak can duplicate the numbers he’s putting up in Triple-A right now with the Rangers next season. The possibilities for the team would be endless.
I still believe the team should have made a move for Roy Halladay – that would have sured up next year’s rotation with Halladay/Millwood/Feldmen/Feliz/Holland – but I am sure they will be able to find a pitcher, starter or reliever, this off-season that will make this a complete club.
