Top 20 Prospects: Texas Rangers
1. Jurickson Profar, SS, A
Profar is undoubtedly the number one shortstop prospect in all of baseball, showing great potential with the bat and the glove and great statistical performances thus far in his pro career. On top of that, he's usually playing as one of the youngest players in his league. I remember seeing Profar for the first time for Curacao in the Little League World Series and since then he has done nothing but stand out as the top player on his team. Given his contact ability, advanced approach, speed and somewhat surprising power, Profar is a top 3 prospect in all of baseball at present.
2. Cody Buckel, RHP B+
A bit unorthodox, like his running mate growing up, Trevor Bauer, Buckel has performed at every level thus far, and seems to be getting better. Moving up to high-A ball this year, Buckel has seen a sharp decline in his hits allowed and ERA, albeit with a modest increase in his K:BB rate, which still sits above 3.5 at present. As Buckel moves up, he may struggle some with his command, but he looks like an excellent prospect with number 2 starter upside.
3. Rougned Odor, 2B, B+
Odor’s swing can simply be described as pretty from the left side. With a highly advanced approach, great contact ability and solid average speed and power, Odor looks to be at least a very solid regular at the big league level. His defense is a bit of a question mark, but he should easily stick at 2nd throughout his career. Playing in the South Atlantic League this year as an 18 year old, younger than Bryce Harper was at the same level last year, Odor was hitting .293/.357/.482, with 6 homers and 9 steals in 49 games before suffering a separated shoulder while sliding into home.
4. Lewis Brinson, OF, B
Brinson is a raw athlete from the 2012 class, who we and many others have compared to Cameron Maybin. With all the tools, Brinson will definitely need some time to develop, but it may be worth the wait as he has All-Star potential.
5. Neil Ramirez, RHP, B-
Ramirez is a classic middle of the rotation type starter. After holding his own in AAA as 22 year old last year, Ramirez has regressed mightily this year, repeating the level. He has simply been clocked in the hitter friendly Pacific Coast League in his last 10 starts, only putting together 2 really good outings, while allowing a home run in each of those last 10 starts, yielding a 10.68 ERA, .318 Opponent Batting Average and a 35/25 K:BB rate in 46 innings. His stats overall for the year are a little better than those, but not great nonetheless. His strikeout rate has declined from last year, while his hit and homer rates have gone up, but his walk rate has remained constant, which is a positive. The cause of the regression is reportedly due to a decline in command within the zone this year caused by mechanical issues.
6. Joey Gallo, 3B, B-
Gallo is a physically imposing infielder from the 2012 class with big time power. After signing for a well over slot $2.5 million bonus, the Rangers are definitely buying into that power, a quality that the Rangers seem to love out of their corner guys.
7. Barret Loux, RHP, B-
Loux’s story is quite interesting. After not signing with the Diamondbacks as the 6th overall pick in the 2010 draft due to arm injury concerns he signed that winter with the Rangers for well below what he would have signed for as the 6th pick. Since then, however, he has done nothing but impress, looking like a good workhorse mid rotation starter. His ERA has been hovering around 3 all year this year and he has a very impressive 11-0 record in 14 starts. There are still injury concerns with his arm and his strike out rate has declined significantly this year after moving up to AA, making one wonder how much of a workhorse he can be.
8. Odubel Herrera, SS, C+
Mainly a second baseman before this season, Herrera has shifted over to short for the most part this season, and his statistical performance defensively has been less than stellar. At the plate his approach is not great, but he makes very good contact, can steal a base and has some gap power. It will be interesting to see how he hits when he moves up to AA next year with his lack of power and poor approach.
9. Jorge Alfaro, C, C+
10. Kevin Matthews, LHP, C+
11. Ronald Guzman, OF, C+
12. Nick Williams, OF, C+
13. Nomar Mazara, OF, C+
14. Luke Jackson, RHP C+
15. Luis Sardinas, SS, C+
16. Engel Beltre, OF, C+
17. Zach Cone, OF, C+
18. Tommy Mendonca, 3B, C+
19. David Perez, RHP, C+
20. Roman Mendez, RHP, C+
21. Will Lamb, LHP C+
22. Jake Skole, OF, C+
Profar is undoubtedly the number one shortstop prospect in all of baseball, showing great potential with the bat and the glove and great statistical performances thus far in his pro career. On top of that, he's usually playing as one of the youngest players in his league. I remember seeing Profar for the first time for Curacao in the Little League World Series and since then he has done nothing but stand out as the top player on his team. Given his contact ability, advanced approach, speed and somewhat surprising power, Profar is a top 3 prospect in all of baseball at present.
2. Cody Buckel, RHP B+
A bit unorthodox, like his running mate growing up, Trevor Bauer, Buckel has performed at every level thus far, and seems to be getting better. Moving up to high-A ball this year, Buckel has seen a sharp decline in his hits allowed and ERA, albeit with a modest increase in his K:BB rate, which still sits above 3.5 at present. As Buckel moves up, he may struggle some with his command, but he looks like an excellent prospect with number 2 starter upside.
3. Rougned Odor, 2B, B+
Odor’s swing can simply be described as pretty from the left side. With a highly advanced approach, great contact ability and solid average speed and power, Odor looks to be at least a very solid regular at the big league level. His defense is a bit of a question mark, but he should easily stick at 2nd throughout his career. Playing in the South Atlantic League this year as an 18 year old, younger than Bryce Harper was at the same level last year, Odor was hitting .293/.357/.482, with 6 homers and 9 steals in 49 games before suffering a separated shoulder while sliding into home.
4. Lewis Brinson, OF, B
Brinson is a raw athlete from the 2012 class, who we and many others have compared to Cameron Maybin. With all the tools, Brinson will definitely need some time to develop, but it may be worth the wait as he has All-Star potential.
5. Neil Ramirez, RHP, B-
Ramirez is a classic middle of the rotation type starter. After holding his own in AAA as 22 year old last year, Ramirez has regressed mightily this year, repeating the level. He has simply been clocked in the hitter friendly Pacific Coast League in his last 10 starts, only putting together 2 really good outings, while allowing a home run in each of those last 10 starts, yielding a 10.68 ERA, .318 Opponent Batting Average and a 35/25 K:BB rate in 46 innings. His stats overall for the year are a little better than those, but not great nonetheless. His strikeout rate has declined from last year, while his hit and homer rates have gone up, but his walk rate has remained constant, which is a positive. The cause of the regression is reportedly due to a decline in command within the zone this year caused by mechanical issues.
6. Joey Gallo, 3B, B-
Gallo is a physically imposing infielder from the 2012 class with big time power. After signing for a well over slot $2.5 million bonus, the Rangers are definitely buying into that power, a quality that the Rangers seem to love out of their corner guys.
7. Barret Loux, RHP, B-
Loux’s story is quite interesting. After not signing with the Diamondbacks as the 6th overall pick in the 2010 draft due to arm injury concerns he signed that winter with the Rangers for well below what he would have signed for as the 6th pick. Since then, however, he has done nothing but impress, looking like a good workhorse mid rotation starter. His ERA has been hovering around 3 all year this year and he has a very impressive 11-0 record in 14 starts. There are still injury concerns with his arm and his strike out rate has declined significantly this year after moving up to AA, making one wonder how much of a workhorse he can be.
8. Odubel Herrera, SS, C+
Mainly a second baseman before this season, Herrera has shifted over to short for the most part this season, and his statistical performance defensively has been less than stellar. At the plate his approach is not great, but he makes very good contact, can steal a base and has some gap power. It will be interesting to see how he hits when he moves up to AA next year with his lack of power and poor approach.
9. Jorge Alfaro, C, C+
10. Kevin Matthews, LHP, C+
11. Ronald Guzman, OF, C+
12. Nick Williams, OF, C+
13. Nomar Mazara, OF, C+
14. Luke Jackson, RHP C+
15. Luis Sardinas, SS, C+
16. Engel Beltre, OF, C+
17. Zach Cone, OF, C+
18. Tommy Mendonca, 3B, C+
19. David Perez, RHP, C+
20. Roman Mendez, RHP, C+
21. Will Lamb, LHP C+
22. Jake Skole, OF, C+
2012 Draft Review: Texas Rangers
Overall Draft Grade: B
The Rangers had $6.568 million to spend on 13 picks in the first 10 rounds this year. They certainly went for upside and projectability early in the draft and then balanced that out with some safer selections in the later rounds thanks to . Brinson, Gallo and Williams are the three big bats from this class, all of whom have talent and projectability, but also carry some significant risks. There's a lot of upside here, and the Rangers definitely added some potential impact talent to their system.
1st Round (29): Lewis Brinson, OF, Coral Springs HS (FL), 6'3", 170, R/R
Brinson was projected to go at the end of the first round or in the supplemental round and is an all-around talent with plenty of tools. He frequently gets comparisons to toolsy outfielder Cameron Maybin and his lean athleticism and smooth swing reminds us of the Padres centerfielder. While he hasn't shown a lot of pop to date, Brinson has some good bat speed and the potential to fill out his frame in order to develop some power down the line. He runs well and shows a strong arm from the outfield.
The Rangers had $6.568 million to spend on 13 picks in the first 10 rounds this year. They certainly went for upside and projectability early in the draft and then balanced that out with some safer selections in the later rounds thanks to . Brinson, Gallo and Williams are the three big bats from this class, all of whom have talent and projectability, but also carry some significant risks. There's a lot of upside here, and the Rangers definitely added some potential impact talent to their system.
1st Round (29): Lewis Brinson, OF, Coral Springs HS (FL), 6'3", 170, R/R
Brinson was projected to go at the end of the first round or in the supplemental round and is an all-around talent with plenty of tools. He frequently gets comparisons to toolsy outfielder Cameron Maybin and his lean athleticism and smooth swing reminds us of the Padres centerfielder. While he hasn't shown a lot of pop to date, Brinson has some good bat speed and the potential to fill out his frame in order to develop some power down the line. He runs well and shows a strong arm from the outfield.
Supplemental Round (39): Joey Gallo, 3B, Bishop Gorman HS (NV), 6'5", 205, L/R
Gallo is a huge, imposing power prospect from the left side. He was a two-way player in high school with a fastball that touched the mid-90s, but the Rangers announced him as a 3rd baseman. Even this is suspect, however, and he might merit a move to 1st in the future. Regardless, it's the power bat they are buying, and while Gallo has a big, long swing that has some swing and miss in it, the power potential is definitely there. He hit over 20 home runs as a high school junior and generates solid bat speed at the plate.
Gallo is a huge, imposing power prospect from the left side. He was a two-way player in high school with a fastball that touched the mid-90s, but the Rangers announced him as a 3rd baseman. Even this is suspect, however, and he might merit a move to 1st in the future. Regardless, it's the power bat they are buying, and while Gallo has a big, long swing that has some swing and miss in it, the power potential is definitely there. He hit over 20 home runs as a high school junior and generates solid bat speed at the plate.
Supplemental Round (53): Collin Wiles, RHP, Blue Valley West HS (KS), 6'4", 185
Wiles came out of nowhere here and many top analysts and scouts didn't have him on any of their lists. He had a Vanderbilt commit which he is likely to break, and seems to be a projectable arm with some room to grow. With so many other high school arms still on the board at this point, we're unsure why the Rangers went this route here. If nothing else, he will probably sign under-slot and help the Rangers ensure that they can sign Brinson and Gallo.
2nd Round (83): Jamie Jarmon, OF, Indian River HS (DE), 6'1", 195, R/R
Jarmon is a strong, projectable athlete whose value is closely linked to his ability to play centerfield at the next level. He shows some power, maybe even enough to be suitable for a corner outfield spot, but a future in center would greatly increase his value. Jarmon has above-average speed and generates some good bat speed at the plate. Interesting power/speed combination.
2nd Round (93): Nick Williams, OF, Galveston Ball HS (TX), 6'3", 195, L/L
Williams is very raw, but is an equally projectable athlete who is just learning how to utilize his skills on the baseball field. He already shows good raw power, especially to the pull side and is a plus runner on the basepaths and in the outfield. His instincts are sub-par across the board, but he has all the tools and seems to epitomize a "high-risk, high-reward" prospect.
Wiles came out of nowhere here and many top analysts and scouts didn't have him on any of their lists. He had a Vanderbilt commit which he is likely to break, and seems to be a projectable arm with some room to grow. With so many other high school arms still on the board at this point, we're unsure why the Rangers went this route here. If nothing else, he will probably sign under-slot and help the Rangers ensure that they can sign Brinson and Gallo.
2nd Round (83): Jamie Jarmon, OF, Indian River HS (DE), 6'1", 195, R/R
Jarmon is a strong, projectable athlete whose value is closely linked to his ability to play centerfield at the next level. He shows some power, maybe even enough to be suitable for a corner outfield spot, but a future in center would greatly increase his value. Jarmon has above-average speed and generates some good bat speed at the plate. Interesting power/speed combination.
2nd Round (93): Nick Williams, OF, Galveston Ball HS (TX), 6'3", 195, L/L
Williams is very raw, but is an equally projectable athlete who is just learning how to utilize his skills on the baseball field. He already shows good raw power, especially to the pull side and is a plus runner on the basepaths and in the outfield. His instincts are sub-par across the board, but he has all the tools and seems to epitomize a "high-risk, high-reward" prospect.
3rd Round (123): Patrick Cantwell, C, SUNY Stony Brook (SR), 6'2", 205, R/R
This looks to be a signability pick here and it makes perfect sense given the price tags of the four previous picks. Williams, Brinson and Gallo will all have big price tags and this pick is a chance to offset that budget a little. He showed some good on-base skills and the ability to steal a base at Stony Brook, and should be a very easy sign.
4th Round (156): Alec Asher, RHP, Polk State College (FL), 6'4", 220
Asher is definitely a fastball first guy and he seems like a typical Rangers pick as they are always looking for some power arms. His fastball sits in the mid-90s and reportedly touched as high as 97. He will need to refine the secondary offerings, but the arm strength and projectability are there.
5th Round (186) Preston Beck, OF, University of Texas-Arlington (JR), 6'2", 190, L/R
Beck has a strong bat with good pure hitting schools and a little bit of pop from the left side. Coupled with his outstanding arm, he presents an intriguing profile for a corner outfielder at the next level.
6th Round (216): Royce Bollinger, OF, Gonzaga University (SR), 6'2", 200, R/R
7th Round (246): Cameron Schiller, 2B, Oral Roberts University (SR), 6'0", 195, R/R
8th Round (276): Cody Kendall, RHP, Fresno State University (SR), 6'2"
9th Round (306): John Niggli, RHP, Liberty University (SR), 6'4", 185
10th Round (336): Joseph Shiver, RHP Southern Polytechnic State University (JR), 6'2", 175
Notable Later Selections:
Round 13: Sam Stafford, LHP, Texas University
Round 15: Jameis Winston, OF, Hueytown HS (AL)
Winston is the best quarterback recruit in his class and is committed to Florida State. Accordingly, he's a fantastic athlete, but there's no chance that he signs this low.
Round 33: Ryan Burr, RHP, Highlands Ranch HS (CO)
Burr has already tweeted that he will be headed to Arizona State, but is a very interesting follow.
This looks to be a signability pick here and it makes perfect sense given the price tags of the four previous picks. Williams, Brinson and Gallo will all have big price tags and this pick is a chance to offset that budget a little. He showed some good on-base skills and the ability to steal a base at Stony Brook, and should be a very easy sign.
4th Round (156): Alec Asher, RHP, Polk State College (FL), 6'4", 220
Asher is definitely a fastball first guy and he seems like a typical Rangers pick as they are always looking for some power arms. His fastball sits in the mid-90s and reportedly touched as high as 97. He will need to refine the secondary offerings, but the arm strength and projectability are there.
5th Round (186) Preston Beck, OF, University of Texas-Arlington (JR), 6'2", 190, L/R
Beck has a strong bat with good pure hitting schools and a little bit of pop from the left side. Coupled with his outstanding arm, he presents an intriguing profile for a corner outfielder at the next level.
6th Round (216): Royce Bollinger, OF, Gonzaga University (SR), 6'2", 200, R/R
7th Round (246): Cameron Schiller, 2B, Oral Roberts University (SR), 6'0", 195, R/R
8th Round (276): Cody Kendall, RHP, Fresno State University (SR), 6'2"
9th Round (306): John Niggli, RHP, Liberty University (SR), 6'4", 185
10th Round (336): Joseph Shiver, RHP Southern Polytechnic State University (JR), 6'2", 175
Notable Later Selections:
Round 13: Sam Stafford, LHP, Texas University
Round 15: Jameis Winston, OF, Hueytown HS (AL)
Winston is the best quarterback recruit in his class and is committed to Florida State. Accordingly, he's a fantastic athlete, but there's no chance that he signs this low.
Round 33: Ryan Burr, RHP, Highlands Ranch HS (CO)
Burr has already tweeted that he will be headed to Arizona State, but is a very interesting follow.
Rangers Draft Strategy: An Overview
The Rangers aren’t an easy team to project, as their recent drafts have been all over the board and we’ve seen them take talent from a wide variety of places. They generally favor power arms, as evidenced by their selection of players like Tanner Scheppers, and they have shown relative balance between selecting high school and college players in the early rounds in recent years. In 2012, they have $6.568 million to spend on 13 picks in the first ten rounds, suggesting that they won’t be able to take too many risks, but will certainly come away with plenty of talent at the top of the draft. We have them taking three prep products at the top of our latest mock, but D.J. Davis doesn’t have a strong college commit and should be fairly signable. That being said, if they choose to go the prep route at the top, they will have to temper their next picks slightly in order to remain within the limitations of their budget.
Mock Draft Selections: Lucas Sims, RHP, Brockwood HS (GA), Nick Travieso, RHP, Archbishop McCarthy HS (FL), D.J. Davis, OF, Stone HS (MS)
Mock Draft Selections: Lucas Sims, RHP, Brockwood HS (GA), Nick Travieso, RHP, Archbishop McCarthy HS (FL), D.J. Davis, OF, Stone HS (MS)
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