Ben's Buzz: One bag conveyer belt
Mitch Moreland's grown-mannish emergence this spring officially classifies the Rangers' farm system as a primetime first-baseman factory. With Justin Smoak hard-charging the majors like a runaway freight train and Chris Davis throwing a Fritz Von Erich chokehold on the big boy job in Arlington, the Rangers are enjoying an embarrassment of riches at first base.
While there is no rush to move any of them now, it should be noted that a similar feeling once existed for this organization at the catcher position. That once-proud logjam now more closely resembles a beaver surfing down a roaring river on a surfboard fashioned from wood shavings.
If you're an armchair GM like me, you might feel the sell-high twinge sneaking up on you. But the Rangers, confident that this group will only increase in value over the coming months, are in no rush with any of the three immensely talented young first basemen.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Richard Durrett
Richard Durrett joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. He writes about colleges, the Dallas Stars and the Texas Rangers. Richard spent nine years at The Dallas Morning News covering the Rangers, Stars, colleges, motorsports and high schools.
Bryan Dolgin
Bryan Dolgin joined ESPNDallas.com in February of 2011. This is his third season as the radio pre/post game show host of the Texas Rangers, and he also hosts Rangers Magazine. He has worked as a broadcaster for three minor league teams and has worked for ESPN 1000 in Chicago.
Tim MacMahon
Tim MacMahon joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. Tim covers the Cowboys and Mavericks. He has covered the local sports scene from high schools to colleges to pros during his six-year tenure at The Dallas Morning News. MacMahon is a graduate of UNT.
Jeff Caplan
Jeff Caplan joined ESPNDallas.com in December 2009. Jeff covers the Mavericks, Rangers and colleges. He has a wealth of experience in the area, covering multiple beats in his 11-plus years with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Ben Rogers
Ben Rogers joined ESPNDallas.com in November 2009. He is one half of "The Ben & Skin Show," heard weekdays from 9a-12p on 103.3 FM ESPN.
103.3 FM ESPN PODCASTS
Play Podcast Rangers GM Jon Daniels discusses the team's recent struggles, the interest level in Roy Oswalt and more.
Play Podcast Rangers play-by-play voice Eric Nadel says he's not worried about the Rangers lack of offensive production.
Play Podcast Ron Washington breaks down Matt Harrison's consistency, has no regrets about resting his players and says he isn't concerned over Yu Darvish's rough start.
Play Podcast Rangers outfielder David Murphy talks about his inside-the-park home run, Yu Darvish's last start and more.
Play Podcast Rangers president Nolan Ryan comments on Neftali Feliz's injury, the club's interest in Roy Oswalt, re-signing Josh Hamilton and more.
Play Podcast Ben and Skin discuss the three most important figures for the Rangers, Mavs, and Cowboys. Who is the most vital to the ultimate success of each organization?
UPCOMING GAMES
| W-L | HM | AW | STK | L10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOR | 24-21 | 12-10 | 12-11 | L2 | |
| TEX | 27-18 | 11-9 | 16-9 | L1 |
| W-L | HM | AW | STK | L10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOR | 24-21 | 12-10 | 12-11 | L2 | |
| TEX | 27-18 | 11-9 | 16-9 | L1 |
| W-L | HM | AW | STK | L10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOR | 24-21 | 12-10 | 12-11 | L2 | |
| TEX | 27-18 | 11-9 | 16-9 | L1 |
TEAM LEADERS
| BA LEADER | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Josh Hamilton
|
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| OTHER LEADERS | ||||||||||||
| HR | J. Hamilton | 18 | ||||||||||
| RBI | J. Hamilton | 49 | ||||||||||
| R | I. Kinsler | 36 | ||||||||||
| OPS | J. Hamilton | 1.187 | ||||||||||
| W | Y. Darvish | 6 | ||||||||||
| ERA | Y. Darvish | 3.05 | ||||||||||
| SO | Y. Darvish | 63 | ||||||||||
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