Rangers look to take next step in 2017

ARLINGTON — The Rangers have played past 162 games in six of the past seven years. That impressive run includes four division titles, two pennants, one American League Wild Card playoff and one tiebreaker game.

All that is missing is a World Series title.

“The last eight or nine years, we haven’t finished the job,” Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. “We have work to do. But we’re proud of our track record.”

The Rangers enter their 57th season of existence in 2017 still without a World Series title, going back to being the expansion Washington Senators in 1961. Maybe the drought will come to an end next season.

Beyond that, here are five things to look for from the Rangers in ’17:

1. Two prospects: For the past four years, infielders Joey Gallo and Jurickson Profar have carried the burden of being the Rangers’ top two prospects. Yet their tremendous potential remains just that.

Profar missed all of 2014-15 because of a shoulder injury, and he is now a player without a position. He is best in the middle infield, but those two spots are occupied by shortstop Elvis Andrus and second baseman Rougned Odor. Profar’s superb baseball aptitude has allowed him to play multiple positions, and the Rangers love his versatility. Profar wants to be an everyday player at one position.

Gallo’s offensive numbers in the …

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