Rangers Introduce New Coaching Staff – On Friday, the Texas Rangers officially presented their newly assembled coaching staff, showcasing some intriguing newcomers.
Among them are Rod Barajas, who impressed as a non-roster catcher during spring training in 2004, prompting the Rangers to trade veteran Einar Diaz for right-hander Chris Young. Travis Jankowski has returned after retiring just months ago, and Alex Cintrón, formerly of the Astros staff, has joined the Rangers, bringing valuable offensive insights.
The Focus on Justin Viele – Despite the arrival of new faces, the spotlight remains on Justin Viele, who is tasked with revitalizing the team’s offense.
Rebuilding the offense is a daunting challenge, as some fans are still shaken by last season’s struggles. The Rangers exhibited inconsistent behaviors at the plate, often hesitating when patience was needed and being overly passive in aggressive situations.
The Rangers ended the previous season ranked 27th in on-base percentage and 26th in slugging, highlighting the frustrations of watching their offense. As the co-hitting coach, Viele witnessed these struggles firsthand.
Justin Viele’s Strategy – Viele emphasizes a strength-based approach rather than pushing players outside their comfort zones. He believes players like Josh Jung and Jake Burger should excel in their natural hitting styles while increasing their on-base percentages just a bit.
Both players must focus on improving their approaches at the plate. By being more selective with their swings, they could enhance their overall performance, contributing positively to the offense as a whole. With offseason adjustments and focused training sessions, the Rangers hope their hitters will shine this upcoming season.
