Aaron

Zavala

It’s the first large round of cuts that we have seen from the Rangers this spring but certainly won’t be the last. Nothing surprising to see here as none of the 10 players were serious candidates to crack the Opening Day roster.

Harris played in five spring games at camp going 3-for-10 with a double and two RBI. The 24-year-old had a chance to be the Rangers’ DH but will start his 2024 season at Triple-A Round Rock. Last season, he slashed .259/.378/.431 between Double and Triple-A.

Zavala, who was playing in the Arizona Fall League, underwent a successful brace procedure by Dr. Keith Meister last week. While Zavala didn’t require the full Tommy John surgery, he’s likely to be sidelined until around May or June next season. Zavala, a second-round pick from 2021, holds a .280/.420/.444 batting line through his first 133 professional games. The 22-year-old profiles as a future top-of-the-order hitter.

Zavala now has eight homers on the season, and three of those have come in his last two games. The 38th pick of last year’s draft, Zavala has an outstanding approach at the plate, and it’s helped him draw 59 walks in 65 games with a .426 on-base percentage. He also is an above-average runner who has stolen nine bases, and 20-steal seasons are a very real possibility for the 22-year-old. Zavala is an underrated fantasy prospect, and has a chance to hit at or near the top of the Texas order by the end of 2024.