SURPRISE, Ariz. — Left-handed pitcher Jacob Latz made a strong statement during the Texas Rangers spring debut on Tuesday at Surprise Stadium, delivering two scoreless innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Although official rotation spots are not assigned so early, Latz’s controlled outing highlighted his potential to contend for a role this season. He surrendered only two hits, issued no walks, and threw 20 of his 26 pitches for strikes, consistently getting ahead of hitters with first-pitch strikes.
Latz reflected on his performance, stating,
“I thought it went good for a first outing,”
Jacob Latz said.
“Getting ahead was my No. 1 goal, as it is for all of us here in camp, and I felt like I was in count leverage except for one or two of them.”
Outfield Experimentation with Evan Carter and Wyatt Langford
In an effort to evaluate different defensive combinations, the Rangers featured Evan Carter in left field and Wyatt Langford in center field for the first time together in big league play. Manager Skip Schumaker explained that this alignment represents part of a broader plan to rotate these young outfielders between positions throughout spring training to maximize playing time and team success.
Schumaker said,
“You’ve got to see them both play center and left and try to figure out the ways that we can be most successful and stay on the field the longest for both of them,”
Skip Schumaker said.
“We’re just trying to see what it looks like.”
During the game, Evan Carter started the bottom of the first with a triple off right-hander Mike Soroka and scored on Langford’s 98.9 mph single, marking Langford’s first Cactus League at-bat. Langford went 2-for-2 with a pair of hard-hit singles before being substituted later in the game.
Joc Pederson’s Versatility Tested at First Base
Joc Pederson, primarily the designated hitter for the Rangers, received playing time at first base—a position where the team values his athleticism and defensive skills. Schumaker praised Pederson as a surprisingly capable defender, especially if first baseman Jake Burger requires rest during the season. Pederson’s experience includes just four games at first base last year, but his role could expand depending on the Rangers’ roster composition and bench decisions.
With other potential first base options like midseason signee Rowdy Tellez unsigned, and infielders Josh Smith and Ezequiel Duran focused on other positions or fighting for bench spots, Pederson is emerging as the de facto backup first baseman.
“I think Joc can play first base,”
Schumaker said.
“That would probably be the easy answer right now. I also don’t know who’s going to be on the team.”
Carter Baumler Impresses as a Bullpen Candidate
Right-handed pitcher Carter Baumler, selected in the Rule 5 draft and yet to advance past Double-A, demonstrated his potential as a relief option by pitching a perfect third inning against major league hitters. In nine pitches, including seven strikes, Baumler struck out two notable batters, All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte and center fielder Alek Thomas, showcasing his effective fastball-curveball combination.
Baumler recorded strikeouts with consecutive curveballs and a 95.4 mph fastball, highlighting why the Rangers took interest in his arm. Given the Rangers’ uncertainty about their bullpen roster size, the team plans to give young pitchers like Baumler opportunities to prove themselves against established competition this spring.
Schumaker explained the strategy, saying,
“We’re trying to get him in different pockets and not just Double-A hitters,”
Skip Schumaker said.
“That’s why we tried to get him in earlier in the game to make sure he’s facing some guys with real names on their back. He punched out two guys, so, not sure he can do better than that.”
Implications for the Rangers’ Roster as Spring Training Progresses
The Texas Rangers’ spring debut featured promising individual performances and ongoing experiments with player positioning, signaling an active preparation phase for the team as it evaluates its options. Jacob Latz’s composed start may earn him consideration for the pitching rotation, while the management’s willingness to test outfield and infield alignments reflects a focus on flexible and effective lineups.
Players like Carter Baumler also highlight the emphasis on developing young talent, especially in uncertain bullpen roles. How the Rangers finalize their roster will depend on spring performances, health, and potential midseason acquisitions, making the coming weeks crucial for the team’s 2024 competitiveness.
