The 2024 MLB Postseason has begun. And the Texas Rangers, unfortunately, are not a part of it.
But hey, they’re right on track for a Bruce Bochy every-other-year World Series next season.
With Texas out of the playoffs, Rangers fans may be looking for another horse to root for in October. Thankfully, there are over a dozen former Rangers in the MLB postseason. And, before you ask, none of them play for the Houston Astros.
Here’s a list of former Rangers who are vying for a World Series championship this October, including a few who just won it all with Texas last year.
Atlanta Braves
RP Jesse Chavez, RP Luke Jackson, OF Eli White
Yes. Former Rangers reliever Jesse Chavez is still pitching. At 40 years old, he may never stop.
They also have the artist who crafted perhaps the best defensive play of the last decade of Rangers baseball in Eli White.
WHAT A SNAG ELI WHITE!@Rangers | #StraightUpTX | 📺 BSSW pic.twitter.com/ulvlrBVOnT
— Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) May 31, 2022
Baltimore Orioles
None
Cleveland Guardians
RP Emmanuel Clase, C Austin Hedges
Emmanuel Clase was acquired by the Guardians from the Rangers in 2019 in exchange for Corey Kluber. Won’t see that one appearing in any best-trades-ever lists for the Rangers.
Austin Hedges, meanwhile, is the first former Rangers World Champion on this list. And if last year taught us anything, it’s that the Guardians are better off for having “Hedgie” in the room.
Detroit Tigers
2B Andy Ibáñez
This might be the Rangers’ fan-favorite by default, as the Tigers have drawn Houston in the AL Wild Card round.
Former Rangers backup infielder Andy Ibanez is playing the same role for the Tigers. In two seasons in Detroit, he’s hit .255/.305/.403 in 580 at-bats.
Also, holding down third base for Detroit is rookie Jace Jung, brother of Rangers’ third baseman Josh.
Houston Astros
None
Kansas City Royals
OF Robbie Grossman, SP Michael Lorenzen, SP Cole Ragans, RP Will Smith, RP Chris Stratton
This one still might sting Rangers fans a bit, as Cole Ragans has been dominant in anchoring the Royals’ rotation from virtually the moment Texas traded him to Kansas City in 2023 for relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman.
They have two guys who played for the Rangers this season in Robbie Grossman and Michael Lorenzen, as well.
Also, he’s never played for the Rangers, but Royals SS Bobby Witt Jr. is the son of one (pitcher Bobby Witt). Witt. Jr. hails from Colleyville and looks like he might give Ernie Banks and Clayton Kershaw a run for the best baseball player ever from the area.
Los Angeles Dodgers
None
Milwaukee Brewers
None
New York Mets
SS Luisangel Acuña
He never played for the big league club, but former Rangers prospect Luisangel Acuña made his major league debut with the Mets just a few weeks ago and has cracked their 26-man postseason roster.
Acuña was one of the prospects sent to New York from Texas in exchange for Max Scherzer.
New York Yankees
C Jose Trevino
He was a fan favorite in Texas and he’s a fan favorite in New York. Trevino played four seasons with the Rangers before being traded to the Yankees, and he won a Gold Glove in his first season there (2022). He draws praise as one of the best pitch-framers in baseball.
Philadelphia Phillies
RP Kolby Allard
The Rangers traded Kolby Allard to the Braves for Jake Odorizzi in 2022, and Allard was then bounced to the Phillies. He’s never found more than sporadic success in the majors and serves as bullpen depth for the 95-win Phillies.
San Diego Padres
SP Yu Darvish, SP Martín Pérez, OF Jurickson Profar
If you’re wanting Rangers favorites, this might be your playoff team in October, as all three of these were beloved by most during their time in Texas.
Darvish has missed time while on the restricted list dealing with a personal matter, and he’s also worked through an IL stint due to a groin strain, but is otherwise putting up his best season in San Diego. He’s posted a 3.31 ERA in 16 stars for the Padres.
Jurickson Profar made his first career All-Star appearance in Arlington this summer and leads the Padres with an .839 OPS this season.
And Martín Pérez, who won a World Series with the Rangers last season, has pitched 52 innings for San Diego this season, though he didn’t make the Padres’ Wild Card roster.
Twitter: @dmn_rangers
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