As spring training approaches, the Texas Rangers are looking to make a comeback to the playoffs in the 2023 season. This offseason, the team splurged on pitching talent, adding Jacob DeGrom and Nathan Eovaldi to their roster. However, the Rangers failed to bring in another batter through free agency. Nevertheless, the team is hopeful for a resurgence with the return of Mitch Garver to their lineup.
Mitch Garver has been plagued by injuries
In 2022, Garver played in 58 games for the Rangers before his season ended due to a right forearm surgery. During those games, Garver’s performance was lackluster, hitting only .207 with 10 home runs, a .298 on-base percentage, and a .404 slugging percentage, placing him 7th in the team’s home run rankings. Nonetheless, before his injury in May, Garver was a productive player for the team.
During May, Garver hit .300 with a .346 OBP, and a .660 SLG%, and hit four home runs before his injury. This level of production was what the team was expecting when they first acquired Mitch Garver from the Minnesota Twins to be their starting catcher. Even if he cannot replicate this performance for the entire season, his 2021 statistics will still provide a significant boost to the Rangers’ lineup.
Garver was traded from Minnesota to Texas
During the 2021 season with the Twins, Mitch Garver had impressive stats, hitting .256 with 13 home runs, a .358 OBP, and a .517 SLG% in 68 games as their starting catcher. However, it is not comparable to his 2019 season, where he hit .273 with 31 home runs, a .365 OBP, and a .660 SLG% in 93 games. The primary problem for Garver has been his inability to stay healthy for his entire career.
Throughout his career, Garver has played only a maximum of 102 games in 2018. He has played more than 90 games only twice in 2018 and 2019. As a catcher, his body has taken a beating, and at the age of 32, the team plans to utilize him as the primary designated hitter this season. Jonah Heims emerged as the team’s catcher last season, and Sam Huff is a reliable backup, leaving Garver in a position to hit for the Rangers.
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