Who cracks the list of top Rangers of 2010s?

Who cracks the list of top Rangers of 2010s?

December 20th, 2019

ARLINGTON -- The Rangers just finished the most successful decade in club history, collecting four division titles and two American League pennants between 2010-19.

The success was brought about by many talented players. Here is a list of the top nine Texas players of the decade, with the No. 10 spot too difficult to determine.

1.
Seasons: 2011-18

The Rangers had many excellent players in the decade but only one future Hall of Famer. Beltré led them in home runs and RBIs. He was a three-time All-Star and a three-time AL Gold Glove Award winner in Texas. Beltré also was named Rangers Player of the Year in four seasons, and his 3,000th hit was one of the big moments of the decade.

2.
Seasons: 2010-12, '15

The numbers are obvious, and you can start with the AL Most Valuable Player Award in 2010, plus three All-Star selections and two AL Silver Slugger Awards (in this decade) with the Rangers. Plus, as the best player on two World Series teams, Hamilton rates high on the list.

3.
Seasons: 2010-present

Andrus, the durable starting shortstop, was the only player with the Rangers from the beginning of the decade to the end. He is a unique player. Rangers fans love him for who he is and agonize over him not being the player they think he should be.

4.
Seasons: 2010-13

Cruz's 50-game suspension over his involvement in the Biogenesis scandal in 2013 probably cost the Rangers either an AL Wild Card berth or a division title. He left as a free agent after the season. But of all the great players who helped the Rangers win two AL pennants, Cruz was probably missed more than any of the others.

5.
Seasons: 2010-12

Young played just three years with the Rangers during the decade, but his 2011 season was one of the best of his career. The others came in the previous decade. He is still one of the top players in Rangers history, as he played a significant role in the successes of '10-11.

6.
Seasons: 2010-13

Kinsler seems to get forgotten among some of the more glamorous players from the Rangers' World Series teams, but he was as big a part of their successes as anybody, and he didn’t ask to be traded to Detroit for Prince Fielder. Kinsler was an All-Star in 2010 and '12 who could run, hit for power and play defense.

7.
Seasons: 2014-present

The Rangers gave Choo a big contract because they were attracted to his unique offensive talents; a blend of power, speed and on-base percentage. There were times when it seemed the contract was not a good one, but the reality was that Choo has been pretty much everything the Rangers expected him to be when he is healthy.

8.
Seasons: 2010-11

Wilson was the Rangers' Pitcher of the Year in 2010-11 when they won two AL pennants, but he did not distinguish himself in the postseason outside a terrific start against the Rays in the '10 AL Division Series. But Wilson's '10 and '11 were the best back-to-back seasons by a pitcher in Rangers history, and they deserve greater appreciation.

9.
Seasons: 2010-12; '14-16

Lewis was to the Rangers in the postseason what C.J. Wilson was during the regular season. In eight postseason starts from 2010-11, Lewis went 4-1 with a 2.34 ERA. He had a career-high 17 wins with the '15 division championship team as well.

10. Pitcher to be named later
Seasons: 2010-19

, , , , , . The Rangers had more than a few pitchers who contributed to the success of the decade. C.J. Wilson and Colby Lewis were a cut above; the next one on the list is a matter of choice if you feel they belong above and/or .