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Winkler's Wrap from Rangers Spring Training

Updated: Thursday, March 14 2013, 05:35 AM CDT

From the young guys to the grizzled veterans, spring training is a time for instruction. However, the players are not the only ones catching on. We've learned a few things over the course of three days at Rangers camp. Here's the tale of the tape.

We learned that although Texas said goodbye to a few stars this offseason, the remaining pieces - along with the addition of Lance Berkman and A.J. Pierzynski, have the Rangers feeling like they're just as primed for a playoff run this season as in years past.

"We are not here to hold down the fort or anything like that," Rangers manager Ron Washington told reporters Tuesday. "We are going out there to kick some butt right out the chute."

We learned that 20 year old phenomenon Jurickson Profar wants to be part of the major league club.

"I want to be here," said Profar. "I want to be here to help the team."

But not even push-ups before batting practice will give the shortstop a leg up on entrenched starters on the infield. The slick-fielding stud is likely headed to Triple-A Round Rock.

We learned that outfielder David Murphy, despite being in the big leagues for five years, still thinks it's awesome that fans line up for his autograph and wear his jersey. We also learned that he has his own theory as to why.

"You look at all the marquee names we've had in here the past few years, they go in that shop and maybe it's by default," Murphy joked. "Maybe it's because the other jerseys are sold out?"

But most of all, we learned that if you're a baseball fan, this is a trip you need to make. Baseball is a kid's game, and in this laid back setting, players are free to act like kids - while a certain sports reporter gets to act like spending three days at spring training is actually "work".

By Adam WinklerWinkler's Wrap from Rangers Spring Training