The Rangers are expected to play two exhibition games at Globe Life Field on March 29-30. Our full team depth charts are reserved for RotoWire subscribers. Rangers manager Chris Woodward said it’s not necessary for the Rangers to identify one spot for Solak by Opening Day next season. How does Nick Solak compare to other hitters? Nick Solak. You factor all that in, once he gets the swing more consistent and putting balls forward in the zone, then [he] can really take off.”. Sullivan has covered the Rangers since 1989, and for MLB.com since 2006. A polished college bat out of Louisville, the 21-year-old Solak did plenty of damage for Staten Island in the short-season New York-Penn League during his brief time in the minors following the draft. He was the best hitter in the Southern League (140 wRC+) while ranking fourth in HR (19), fifth in SB (21) and eighth in BB/K (0.61). Oddly enough, last offseason's three-team trade that sent Solak from the Yankees to the Rays actually resulted in him being more blocked. The Rays just have so many players at the big-league level and the upper levels of their farm system that are capable of playing the positions Solak plays (second base, left field, center field). When he makes his Major League debut, he will be the 18th rookie to play for the Rangers this season. I’ve been nervous. Rangers manager Chris Woodward said it’s not necessary for the Rangers to identify one spot for Solak … Double-A pitchers were much more willing to challenge him, and his walk rate dipped from 13.1 percent to 7.6 percent. Which is very rare for a younger player, especially at his age. Solak also may end up playing center field, though no determination has been made on where he will ultimately end up on the diamond. All Rights Reserved. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. A lot of guys have made a living doing that -- ask Ben Zobrist, he has done it his whole career. “He can man center field just about as good as anybody in the big leagues. It may [impact offense] for some guys, but not for him.”. Solak went 3-for-4 with two doubles and three runs scored in Thursday's 8-4 loss to the Astros. Solak has the upside to replicate Ian Kinsler's peak production, but if he falls just a little bit short of that, he may end up being treated like a super-utility player on a loaded Rays roster. He was not fazed by MLB pitching, logging a 126 wRC+, 11.1 BB% and 21.5 K%. • The Rangers have signed veteran utility infielder Andrew Romine and assigned him to alternate camp. Rangers/NLDS/Globe Life Field column: Maybe Joey Gallo was right all along. He made a significant jump from short-season ball in 2016 to High-A last season and was still one of the Florida State League's best hitters. And what would his Sam Hilliard-inspired tattoo say? Solak went on a tear after the trade (145 wRC+ in the Pacific Coast League) and earned an August promotion. His ISO also dropped from .159 to a more representative .143. Nick Solak 2B, Texas Rangers Nick Solak finished 0-for-4 on Thursday to drop his OPS to.698.