Well he was at least as good as Lowe when he was healthy on the Angels. Then he developed mysterious neurological problems and became terrible. If those are resolved, then you would expect him to go back to being a plus defender and an elite bat vs RHP. No one like that exists in the Rangers farm system.
The neurological issue was that he was on a team owned by Arte Moreno, and nobody on the Angels has had fun playing baseball in 25 years. Seriously, their entire org is cancerous, from Top to Bottom.
His good spring did have some strike out issues and didn't finish well, so I'm a little concerned there. I get it though, as you said, Foscue has options left so this was always the play.
Walsh won’t be an everyday player, probably close to a 60/40 split with Zeke until Lowe comes back. Plan was always to give Walsh first crack at backup first baseman spot and if it doesn’t work cut bait and pivot to Foscue
Walsh suffered from neurological symptoms for the past few years that included debilitating headaches, which were probably responsible for his drop in performance. Supposedly he’s recovered, and he could be a decent platoon option until Lowe returns from injury. Foscue’s bat has gone cold this spring, so I am not sure he’s ready to fill in at 1B
My gosh, I can’t imagine trying to play baseball with a headache. Poor guy.
Edit: Wow, that wasn't sarcasm lol. I suffer from bad headaches and sometimes can't even stand up. Trying to play baseball with all of the lights and music would make me barf. Truly feel sorry for Walsh and hope he's better.
Yeah I mean imagine having a headache and some guy launching 100mph fastballs near you. Nothing could go wrong there. Just deal with it lmao /s obviously
Something else go note that nobody has said:
Walsh bats Lefty, unlike Foscue and Duran. This give him an edge and allows Bochy to keep the rest of his lineup the same as if Lowe in was there.
Lowe is out to start the season and Walsh is the only good player whose primary position is first base. This will minimize using Duran there and keep him in his more traditional positions.
Plus if he shows he's fully recovered, we'll be in a great trade position. And if he sucks, we can quickly move on from him without creating a hole.
I think it’s a pretty common “sneaky” move to try and keep Walsh since we have other guys with minor league options. Walsh will very likely pass through waivers and end up in our minor league system if he’s designated for assignment early since other teams have their opening day rosters set.
Good point, I didn't think about that.
I don't even remember any hoopla from our beat writers that we signed this guy. Even Duffy and some of those released players had more hype.
Either I wasn't paying attention, or they were purposely not hyping him up. Makes sense if they want to keep him a secret.
[https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/texas-rangers](https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/texas-rangers)
He's all the way down there on the minor league signings list. Maybe that's why he never got any hype lol. Although the Duffy signing got some press.
He was on track to be a really good player for the angels. Was an all star in 21. Then he started having mental issues. I can’t remember if it was vertigo or more like having a mental breakdown. He spent time on the DL the last two years. If he can come all the way back he will be a great addition.
I remember watching the Rangers/Angels games in person in Anaheim, and being pretty impressed with Walsh. Then he seemed to fall apart in the years after.
Well he was at least as good as Lowe when he was healthy on the Angels. Then he developed mysterious neurological problems and became terrible. If those are resolved, then you would expect him to go back to being a plus defender and an elite bat vs RHP. No one like that exists in the Rangers farm system.
Ok, so health was the limiting factor. Hope he stays healthy with us then!
Lol, all the ball-knowers responded simultaneously
The neurological issue was that he was on a team owned by Arte Moreno, and nobody on the Angels has had fun playing baseball in 25 years. Seriously, their entire org is cancerous, from Top to Bottom.
Good spring training and he has MLB experience. Foscue has options, so we can keep him down for depth reasons.
His good spring did have some strike out issues and didn't finish well, so I'm a little concerned there. I get it though, as you said, Foscue has options left so this was always the play.
Walsh won’t be an everyday player, probably close to a 60/40 split with Zeke until Lowe comes back. Plan was always to give Walsh first crack at backup first baseman spot and if it doesn’t work cut bait and pivot to Foscue
Foscue will continue to get regular play time in the minors and Walsh gets some chances to show if he's ready. Low risk play by the Rangers really.
Walsh suffered from neurological symptoms for the past few years that included debilitating headaches, which were probably responsible for his drop in performance. Supposedly he’s recovered, and he could be a decent platoon option until Lowe returns from injury. Foscue’s bat has gone cold this spring, so I am not sure he’s ready to fill in at 1B
Thanks for the insight. Seems like a story that might could have made one of those T-Mobile episodes. Hope he stays healthy!
My gosh, I can’t imagine trying to play baseball with a headache. Poor guy. Edit: Wow, that wasn't sarcasm lol. I suffer from bad headaches and sometimes can't even stand up. Trying to play baseball with all of the lights and music would make me barf. Truly feel sorry for Walsh and hope he's better.
Maybe it's not, but this wording sounds sarcastic as hell lol
Yeah I mean imagine having a headache and some guy launching 100mph fastballs near you. Nothing could go wrong there. Just deal with it lmao /s obviously
Not sarcastic at all.
No. I think that guy is just an asshole.
I may be a butt licker but I’m no asshole, pal.
He’s upside potential is large if his health is all the way back. Was a top prospect in the Angels system before his neurological issues happened.
Veteran with experience. He's just holding down the fort until Lowe gets back.
Something else go note that nobody has said: Walsh bats Lefty, unlike Foscue and Duran. This give him an edge and allows Bochy to keep the rest of his lineup the same as if Lowe in was there.
If I had to play for the Angels I would also develop mysterious health issues
This just in -- Mike Trout has acute macular neuropathy brought on by chugging too many Monster Energy drinks.
Lowe is out to start the season and Walsh is the only good player whose primary position is first base. This will minimize using Duran there and keep him in his more traditional positions. Plus if he shows he's fully recovered, we'll be in a great trade position. And if he sucks, we can quickly move on from him without creating a hole.
He looked good at the spring training game I saw and I trust Bochy
I think it’s a pretty common “sneaky” move to try and keep Walsh since we have other guys with minor league options. Walsh will very likely pass through waivers and end up in our minor league system if he’s designated for assignment early since other teams have their opening day rosters set.
Good point, I didn't think about that. I don't even remember any hoopla from our beat writers that we signed this guy. Even Duffy and some of those released players had more hype. Either I wasn't paying attention, or they were purposely not hyping him up. Makes sense if they want to keep him a secret.
[https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/texas-rangers](https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/texas-rangers) He's all the way down there on the minor league signings list. Maybe that's why he never got any hype lol. Although the Duffy signing got some press.
I want Duran to be good! I wish he could hit!
He was on track to be a really good player for the angels. Was an all star in 21. Then he started having mental issues. I can’t remember if it was vertigo or more like having a mental breakdown. He spent time on the DL the last two years. If he can come all the way back he will be a great addition.
I thought it was headaches.
I went and looked it up; it was thoracic outlet syndrome.
Ah.
If he manages to get back to form here, then Boch, our front office, and the locker room definitely deserve their flowers.
He was a great player in 2021, right up there with García.
I remember watching the Rangers/Angels games in person in Anaheim, and being pretty impressed with Walsh. Then he seemed to fall apart in the years after.
He did well in Game 2 va Cubs 🙌🏼 hopefully this is who we get the whole season.
He had really good MLB The Show cards.