Texas Trio Wants To Make It Together
ARLINGTON, Texas—Joey Gallo and Lewis Brinson were 18 years old and fresh off being drafted, and Nomar Mazara was 17 and in the United States for the first time.
In the summer of 2012, and in subsequent stops together in the minor leagues, Gallo, Brinson and Mazara decided they were the future of the Rangers.
They might be right. Gallo (No. 10 overall prospect), Brinson (No. 16) and Mazara (No. 21) found themselves together at big league spring training for the first time last month, and are likely to open the season at Triple-A, just a phone call away from making Arlington their permanent workplace.
“It started as a fantasy, coming into rookie ball and meeting those guys for the first time,” said Brinson, picked 29th overall in 2012. “We like to challenge each other, and that’s one of our challenges: Get up to the big leagues together as a unit and be a core of young guys coming in to help these guys win baseball games.”
Despite their talent, each of the Rangers’ top three prospects has obstacles to overcome.
Gallo, picked 39th in 2012, continues to search for a swing that will help him make contact more consistently without losing his unmatched raw power.
Brinson needs to stay healthy. Leg issues have hit him in the past and stunted his advancement until he thrived in 2015.
Mazara, who signed a record $4.95 million bonus as an international free agent in 2011, is lacking Triple-A time and won’t turn 21 until April 26.
Each also plays a position currently occupied in the big leagues. Gallo is blocked at third base by a future Hall of Famer, Adrian Beltre. Delino DeShields is plugged into center field, Brinson’s preferred position, and Mazara is behind Ian Desmond and Josh Hamilton.
Mazara looked to have an opening with Hamilton missing the first month of the season, until the Rangers plucked Desmond out of free agency. But Mazara’s keeping his head down this spring and waiting for the dream to become a reality.
RANGERS ROUNDUP
• Righthander Luke Jackson is often bothered by lower back stiffness early in spring training, but what he experienced last month forced him to fly to Dallas for a visit with renowned specialist Dr. Drew Dossett.
• Righty Phil Klein, one of the top starters in the minors during Triple-A Round Rock’s run to the Pacific Coast League finals, and emerged as a candidate for the Rangers’ No. 5 starter this spring.
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