Ezequiel Duran is vying for a position on the Texas Rangers’ roster as a utility player for the upcoming Opening Day. Essentially, his role would be to back up the infield when primary players like Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, or Josh Jung require a rest, and he may also see some playing time in left field. However, he faces some stiff competition from other players, including Brad Miller, Clint Frazier, Josh Smith, and Travis Jankowski.
Ezequiel Duran fighting for spot on opening day roster
For some time now, the Rangers have made decisions that prioritize player development over winning since the year 2020. Typically, young players would be sent down if they didn’t have regular playing time. The belief was that it would be more beneficial for their growth and improvement to play every day at either Round Rock or Frisco rather than inconsistently in Arlington. This has resulted in players like Charlie Culberson, Brad Miller, Kole Calhoun, Brock Holt, and Meibrys Viloria getting more playing time than Duran, Sam Huff, and Josh Smith.
This season, the Rangers have adopted a more win-now attitude. Does this mean that the front office and coaching staff will shift their focus away from development? Bruce Bochy shared his thoughts on roster decisions in relation to young players when he was asked by Levi Weaver of The Athletic:
“It’s different from player to player, but first of all you have to look at the needs of the major-league club; that’s where it starts. If you have somebody that’s close, or comparable to the player you’re talking about, you may want (them) to get those reps down in Triple A, it’s a little easier decision. But if you have a need for a spot, that can force your hand a little bit … especially if you look at a team that wants to contend.”
Can this player help us win
So, if we accept this approach, the next question becomes, “Is Ezequiel Duran superior to his competition?” This spring, the shift in roster decisions has come down to the question, “Can this player help us win now?” The balance between development and winning is tipping more towards the latter this season. In the past, the question concerning young players was what was best for their long-term development. However, when it comes to Duran, the issue will be whether or not he can help the team win in the present.
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