The Jurickson Profar Dilemma

As it relates to the title of this blog post, the word dilemma typically carries a negative connotation. Make no mistake, though, the Jurickson Profar Dilemma is not a bad problem to have.

After Rougned Odor landed the punch heard 'round the world, a seven-game suspension opened the door for 23-year-old Jurickson Profar to make an impact in the majors at second base. Once the Rangers' top prospect, Profar began the year in AAA after missing two years with shoulder problems.

In the seven games Odor missed, all Profar has done is hit .364 with a 1.000 OPS, scoring nine runs from the leadoff spot. He hit a titanic blast into the upper deck on Friday night. He's played exceptional defense. He gives the Rangers' lineup a unique boost.

Spring Training Reaction: All About Nomar Mazara

Surprise, Ariz. - It's difficult to make big-picture observations after attending one spring training game. However, I think I saw enough on Sunday to be super excited about the long-term future of 20-year old outfielder Nomar Mazara.

In a game the Rangers lost to the Mariners, 7-3, not much stood out. The Rangers trotted out their starting infield, which was nice. Adrian Beltre smashed a rope down the left-field line and was promptly pulled, as if to say, yep, you're pretty much in midseason form already. The Mariners stole six bases on Nick Tepesch and Chris Gimenez, which hurt both players' chances of making the opening day roster.

Mazara definitely stood out, though.

5 Burning Questions at Rangers Spring Training - Live in Arizona

Scottsdale, Ariz. - The last time I attended spring training was 10 years ago. It was one of the most memorable trips I've ever taken. I was a senior at the University of Kansas and three of my best friends (@bsiegel26, @neilsenratings and @bestmattwilson) and I jumped into a Ford Focus over spring break and drove 18 hours from Lawrence to Phoenix.

Can't wait to see how the Surprise spring training complex, home to my hometown Texas Rangers and now World Series Champion Kansas City Royals, has grown over the last 10 years. It was only three years old in 2006 and arguably the nicest complex out here.

Rangers Shock Everyone, Grab Early ALDS Edge: What's Next?

After watching the Rangers jump out to an improbable 2-0 series lead over the Blue Jays in the ALDS, I was all mixed up. On the one hand, my energy was through the roof with Toronto on the brink of elimination. On the other hand, I was so wiped out that an Aleve and a nap sounded pretty darn good, too.

What a dream scenario: Texas leads 2-0 after stealing a pair of games against Toronto, which had the best regular season home record in the AL. It took 14 innings to put the Jays away in Game 2, which to me was one of the most memorable games in Rangers history. I literally gave myself a headache in Game 2 from how rapidly and loudly I was applauding in intense situations. That's just not normal.

Dear Rangers: Please Clinch AL West This Weekend

It's funny to think that a month into the 2015 season, the Texas Rangers were 8-16. Four months later, they enter their final series of the season at 86-72, needing to win one of four games against the Angels to clinch at least a wild card spot. More importantly, a split would clinch the AL West.

Remember the "sky is falling" headlines early in the season? Four-fifths of the rotation was on the shelf. The Prince Fielder and Shin-Soo Choo albatross contracts were two of the worst in baseball. Texas was going to sell at the trade deadline and plan for the future.

Oh how things have changed.

Bucket List Stadium Tour Hits Ballpark No. 10 in Anaheim

Anaheim, Calif. - I take great joy in keeping track of how many Major League Baseball stadiums I've visited. It's a sports bucket list sort of deal. This past Labor Day, I had the opportunity to visit Anaheim with my brother Dave to follow the Rangers as they took on the Angels.

The stadium was crazy nice. The first night (9/5), the Rangers beat the Angels, 2-1, behind eight masterfully spun innings by southpaw Derek Holland. After a woeful start to the 2014 season, Texas has completely turned its season around and at the time was in the thick of the wild card and AL West race. It made our trip that much more enjoyable. There's nothing quite like meaningful baseball in September.