Hurley faced a pretty good Angels lineup today and went 3 more no hit innings (2 walks). In his 5 innings so far this spring he hasn't given up a hit yet. He hasn't struck anyone out yet either, but he must be throwing the ball well. I assume he has no chance to start in the rotation unless 2 of Harrison, Kirkman, and Holland get hurt, but I sure like having him ready. I think he'll end up having an impact on the big club at some point in the season.

At this point in his career, what do you think his upside is? Is his ceiling higher or lower than say Hunter's? In my opinion we have 5 guys who are about the same age and have all been up and down, for some reason or another, but I have a hard time determining who I like better. It changes from week to week.

Rank these 5 in terms of who you see as being the most important to the Rangers over the next 5 years (the date is their birthdate)?

54 Matt Harrison L-L 6'4" 240 Sep 16, 1985
45 Derek Holland S-L 6'2" 195 Oct 9, 1986
35 Tommy Hunter R-R 6'3" 280 Jul 3, 1986
37 Eric Hurley R-R 6'4" 195 Sep 17, 1985
44 Michael Kirkman L-L 6'4" 195 Sep 18, 1986

Holland, Harrison, Hurley, Kirkman, Hunter.

I think Holland will make a huge leap forward this year, but that's a conversation for another time.

I think Harrison plays swing-role this year, and maybe even locks down a spot. I think he JUST about "gets it," and will soon learn that he doesn't need to throw a 96 mph fastball (which he can) to be effective.

Hurley is big, but not this year. Prove his health in AAA, but I can see him being a solid 4 next year.

Kirkman is getting by on moxie alone, but that's not going to take him any further than a solid LR spot.

Hunter is an innings eater and not much more. I like the guy, but he is average in every regard. Except size.

Wilson, Lewis, Harrison, Holland and Hurley would work to start the season.
Kirkman and Hunter can do spot starts and longer relief. Webb and Bush can be waiting in the wings when someone goes down.
Oliver/O'Day in the 7th, Rhodes/Ogando in the 8th and Feliz in the 9th may be as good as any team, anywhere.
Bench may very well be Napoli, Murphy, German and Davis......right it down and see!!!!

I think Hurleys upside is a good #4 maybe a #3 if he can throw alot of innings. Id say his upside is better then Hunters because i see him as a #5 starter on the Rangers.

54 Matt Harrison L-L 6'4" 240 Sep 16, 1985
45 Derek Holland S-L 6'2" 195 Oct 9, 1986
37 Eric Hurley R-R 6'4" 195 Sep 17, 1985
44 Michael Kirkman L-L 6'4" 195 Sep 18, 1986
35 Tommy Hunter R-R 6'3" 280 Jul 3, 1986

But to start this season i would put Hurley 5 for now only because i dont know what he can do like CJ and Colby last year, I hope this is his and Hollands and Harrisons break out years to replace losing Cliff Lee until the ASB and trade for an Ace for the playoffs.

Wilson
Colby
Holland
Hunter
Hurley
Webb, Harrison and Bush waiting in AAA

Every indication, barring some new injury that crops up in the next few weeks, is that these guys are all locks for the 12 man staff:

1. CJ 2. Lewis 3. Hunter 4. Feliz 5. Ogando 6. O'Day 7. Lowe 8. Rhodes 9. Oliver 10. Holland

That leaves 2 spots. I doubt Webb is ready - he'll probably make his debut in April some time. The odds on favorites for those 2 spots have to be Kirkman and Bush at this point. The only other guy who might have a chance is Harrison. If Kirkman makes the team, they are probably going to want a righty for that last spot - so that means Bush would have the upper hand over Harrison. That leaves Hurley in AAA to get back to form, which is probably good.

The other question is of the 3 guys Holland, Kirkman, and Bush, which 2 are starters, and who is the long man?

My money is on Harrison making the staff out of camp.

Any news on how the Japanese guy is looking in camp? I had a pretty strong feeling that if he was really good in camp, O'Day would be flipped for a prospect and he would get the roster spot.

The box scores haven't been pretty for Tateyama. I kinda hope that Harrison gets the spot over Bush, too. But who knows? Bush has been good so far, and what if JD just pulled another fast one on everyone and got a guy basically off the scrap heap who could be a 200 IP workhorse & win them 15 games, the pitching equivalent of Marlon Byrd?

I think we break camp with Harrison and Holland in the rotation with Bush as the long man. Tateyama has been struggling in the appearances he has had so I don't believe he breaks camp with up. I don't want to fall in to the same trap with Kirkman that we have with Holland and to some extent Harrison. Pitching in the bigs is hard, and the expectations have been high IMO with Holland and Harrison. I want Kirkman to have another full year in AAA. Hurley is depth at this point, but at one point he was our top pitching prospect. He can be a nice pitcher for us if he can keep that sinkerball. I can't wait to get out there next week and see it all for myself.

Why not Hurley? The Org would like to find out if he's more than a gimp recovery case. Prove it in AAA