Tanner Scheppers

2013

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2012

The Curious Case of Tanner Scheppers continued its theatrical run in 2011, albeit with a slightly delayed premier date thanks to a balky back. Once healthy, Scheppers was moved back to a relief role but still has been unable to find his early 2010 form when he projected as a solid late-inning reliever before Texas toyed with the idea of making him a starter. His numbers at Double-A Frisco were a far cry from his dominating numbers at the same level the year prior, and he continued to show control problems after his promotion to Triple-A Round Rock. His numbers in winter ball with a team in Venezuela weren't very good either (13 innings, five hits, 16:13 K:BB). You'd expect a lot more from a former first-round pick out of a major college program. While he's shown too much talent as recently as 20 months ago to toss him on the scrap heap, it's clear that 2012 will be a pivotal year for his development.

2011

Scheppers tore through the Texas League out of the bullpen last season at Double-A Frisco (11 innings, three hits, 19:0 K:BB) and was promoted to Triple-A Oklahoma City where he was solid in a relief role before the wheels fell off when Texas decided to try him as a starter due to the struggles of Rich Harden at the major-league level. In seven starts, Scheppers yielded 38 hits and 18 earned runs in 27.2 innings, and saw his strikeout rate drop considerably. Moved back to the bullpen, Scheppers was a shell of his prior form as his numbers down the stretch (18.1 innings, 31 hits, 20 earned runs, 19:10 K:BB) were a disaster. Once thought to be major-league ready as an impact reliever, there are considerable questions regarding his 2011 future. He'll be included in any and all trade talks if Texas elects to fill the Cliff Lee void via trade and figures to begin the year at Triple-A Oklahoma City if he remains with the Rangers.

2010

Scheppers had the best arm in the June draft that wasn't attached to Stephen Strasburg's torso, though a past shoulder injury had him slip to Texas at 44th overall. Scheppers signed late, and hasn’t made his pro debut as a result, though he made seven appearances out of the bullpen in the Arizona Fall League (11 innings, nine hits, seven runs, 9:4 K:BB). It's expected that Texas will use him as a starter to begin the season, and Texas has promoted their pitching prospects quickly when they performed well, so Scheppers could be in line for a 2011 major league debut. If he doesn't pan out as a starter, Scheppers has closer stuff including a high-90s fastball and a plus curveball.