$Predicting The Texas Rangers\' 2016 Opening Day Lineup$

Predicting The Texas Rangers' 2016 Opening Day Lineup

By Brad Faber

After posting the worst record in the American League in 2014, the Texas Rangers were a big surprise last season, winning the AL West under first-year manager Jeff Banister. Going into 2016, the Rangers certainly appear to have to pieces to compete once again. Here is a spring training prediction of what their opening day lineup may look like.

$Predicting The Texas Rangers\' 2016 Opening Day Lineup$

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1. Delino DeShields, CF — Through 121 games last season, Delino DeShields hit a solid .261/.344/.374 with two homers, 37 RBIs and 25 stolen bases. He gives the club a great leadoff option heading into the upcoming season.

2. Shin-Soo Choo, RF — After having a rough season in his first year with the Rangers back in 2014, Shin-Soo Choo bounced back in a big way last season, hitting .276/.375/.463 with 22 homers and 82 RBIs. He is a great fit in the No. 2 spot for the Rangers.

3. Prince Fielder, DH — After missing most of the 2014 campaign with a neck injury, Prince Fielder returned last season to hit a rock-solid .305/.378/.463 with 23 homers and 98 RBIs. Entering just his age-32 season, Fielder should have quite a few productive seasons left in the tank.

4. Adrian Beltre, 3B — Although his numbers may have been down a little bit last season, Adrian Beltre still hit a very solid .287/.334/.453 with 18 homers and 83 RBIs. The soon-to-be 37-year-old will have an important role to play in the middle of the order once again in 2016.

5. Mitch Moreland, 1B — In 2015, Mitch Moreland had the best season of his career, hitting .278/.330/.482 with 23 homers and 85 RBIs. The 30-year-old Moreland should be capable of being a big-time run producer once again in 2016.

6. Rougned Odor, 2B — Through 120 games last year, Rougned Odor was quite productive, hitting .261/.316/.465 with 16 homers and 61 RBIs. Still just 22 years old, Odor should be a fun player to watch going forward. He has been dealing with an oblique injury, but assuming he will be healthy by opening day, one can expect him to take his place at second base.

7. Ian Desmond, LF — Recently signed to a one-year deal, former Washington Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond will be learning a new position and looking to rebound from a rather rough season. One would think that it shouldn't be too hard for Desmond to hit 20-25 homers this year, especially considering the fact that he gets to play his home games at the hitter-friendly Globe Life Park in Arlington.

8. Elvis Andrus, SS — Now entering his eighth MLB season, Elvis Andrus' once-great defensive metrics have recently tailed off a bit. And not that he was necessarily known for his offense, but he hasn't been overly impressive with the bat lately either (80 OPS+ last year). However, he should still bring plenty of stability to the shortstop position. Andrus has also stolen a minimum of 21 bases each year of his career as well.

9. Robinson Chirinos, C — During his time with the Rangers, Robinson Chirinos hasn't hit for much average, but he has shown decent pop, posting double-digits in the home run department in each of the past two seasons. Back in 2014, he also threw out 40 percent of would-be basestealers. Chirinos and Chris Gimenez should be a decent catching tandem for the Rangers in 2016.

Cole Hamels, P — With Yu Darvish still on the sidelines, it seems quite likely that Cole Hamels will be named the Rangers' opening day starter. Hamels is coming off of a season in which he went a combined 13-8 with a 3.65 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP for the Philadelphia Phillies and Rangers.

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