Michael Helman

Helman is an onlder organizational depth type guy who has flashed power and speed throughout a long minor league career but until last year, had onlyan espresso shot of time in the majors with the Twins. The Twins then traded him to St. Louis, who waived him in May before the Pirates grabbed him. The Pirates never dressed him and waived him where the Rangers then claimed him in late May. The Rangers called up Helman to cover a rash of injuries, and for a spell in the summer, it looked like they may have something. He was hitting .294/.351/.647 at one stretch over the summer but then hit .213/.250/.377 to close out the season with 2 walks and 14 strikeouts over 66 September plate appearances. Every organization needs a versatile athletic outfielder to cover platoons and injuries, and that will be Helman's job assuming he sticks with the Texas organization. The righty-heavy Texas lineup really could use another lefty, which would put Helman's role at risk and likely send him back to the waiver wire or at least to Round Rock since he has options remaining. Read Past Outlooks