ESPN's Dan Szymborski is a computer and stat guru, and we love getting a look at his projections. Here are his numbers for the 2014 Texas Rangers.
Position: Catcher
Player: Geovany Soto; J.P. Arencibia
Last year: Soto: .245 batting average, .328 on-base percentage, .466 slugging percentage, 9 home runs, 22 RBIs, 184 plate appearances; Arencibia: .194/.227/.365, 21 home runs, 55 RBIs, 497 plate appearances
2014 projections: Soto: .228/.308/.409, 12 home runs, 40 RBIs, 316 plate appearances
Remember, folks. Soto was the NL Rookie of the Year in 2008 and has hit over .300 in a season before. Hard to believe, but it's true. He has something when it comes to approach at the plate. Also, in limited appearances last season as the backup catcher, Soto seemed to come up with a big hit more times than not, especially down the stretch. This year, Soto is penciled in as the No. 1 catcher, so he'll get more opportunities. It's just a matter of time until we find out if that helps or hurts him.
Arencibia: .227/.270/.428, 22 home runs, 70 RBIs, 467 plate appearances
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This guy has done a lot of two things over his career in Toronto — hit home runs and strike out. That's about it. The projections actually give Arencibia more time in the lineup than Soto, which by all accounts isn't the Rangers' plan. But, Arencibia does have the one plus tool in his bag in regards to the power department. If he can put something else together with it, he could be a big factor.
