Best Could Be Still To Come For Rangers’ Cameron Cauley
The Rangers had a number of prospects in big league spring training camp, including Rookie of the Year challengers Evan Carter and Wyatt Langford.
Both made the Opening Day roster.
Cameron Cauley was not in big league camp, but it sure seemed that way. The 21-year-old shortstop was a frequent late-game fill-in once Marcus Semien or Ezequiel Duran exited Cactus League games.
Cauley also performed in the Rangers’ Spring Breakout game, where he collected a double and a triple and drove in the only run in Texas’ 4-1 loss to the Reds.
The Rangers drafted Cauley in the third round in 2021 out of high school in Mont Belvieu, outside Houston. He said he overhauled his swing in the offseason and is seeing the results.
“I’m just trying to figure out a consistent move that’s not switching or changing,” Cauley said. “I’d say the first two years I was trying to find a move. I wouldn’t say I’ve mastered it, but I like it and it’s more consistent.”
The swing changes were intended to reduce Cauley’s strikeout rate by keeping his bat in the hitting zone longer. The new swing should also result in more consistent, harder contact.
Cauley struck out nearly 32% of the time last season in 100 games for Low-A Down East and High-A Hickory. He hit .245/.333/.411 with 36 stolen bases and a career-high 12 home runs.
But the Rangers see more output coming from Cauley, who went 7-for-19 (.368) in 15 spring games.
The Rangers expect Cauley to open the season at High-A Hickory and potentially finish at Double-A Frisco. He will see time at second base and maybe third, though the Rangers still see him as a shortstop.
Club officials were keenly aware of what Cauley did this spring.
“It’s more time in the system and more time with our group, and the message and the plan that’s in place,” Rangers vice president Ross Fenstermaker said. “He works his butt off in the offseason, and he’s carried that confidence into any environment or challenge he’s had so far this spring.”
RANGERS ROUNDUP
— One of the stars of the Rangers’ big league camp was righthander Jack Leiter, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft out of Vanderbilt. He showed more command of his pitches and more control of his mechanics than he did last year. The Rangers want to see it continue at Triple-A Round Rock.
— Shortstop Davis Wendzel, the 41st overall pick in 2019 out of Baylor, left an impression on manager Bruce Bochy, who said he could be an option for the Rangers if an infielder needs time on the injured list. Wendzel, who hit 30 homers last season for Triple-A Round Rock, played mostly third base this spring while Josh Jung nursed a strained left calf.
