Hanser Alberto isn't going to be starting for the Texas Rangers any time soon unless something really bad happens (see, Adrian Beltre's back seizing up in the playoffs). But he's a really nice guy to have on your 25-man roster, and he'll be looking to solidify a spot there in 2016 as the Rangers' fifth infielder after a solid 2015.
To get ready for that, Alberto is playing in the Dominican winter league, and he's doing a pretty great job of it.
Alberto is hitting a league-leading .348 and is sixth in the league in OPS with an .833 mark — high considering he has just one home run.
The book on Alberto has never revolved around his production at the plate, but he is known as a tremendous defensive player and even earned the equivalent of the gold glove for all of the minor leagues in 2014 at second base.
Alberto can obviously play second, he can play shortstop and he can play third base, making him a prime candidate for fifth infielder status after the Rangers jettisoned veteran Adam Rosales to make room for the younger Alberto in 2015. He's no lock for the job in 2016, but a strong winter can only help his chances going into the spring, at least from a confidence standpoint.
