Texas Rangers Top 50 Prospects
1. Neftali Feliz, RHP – Feliz edged out Holland by the slimmest of margins
to become this year’s Rangers top prospect. The 20-year-old broke out in a
big way in 2008, posting a 2.69 ERA with 153 strikeouts in 127.1 innings
between Single-A Clinton and Double-A Frisco. Feliz’s electric fastball sat
between 93-97 mph and reached 101 mph twice in his Double-A debut. With his
rapidly developing changeup and curveball, Feliz could reach the Majors in
2009.
2. Derek Holland, LHP – The southpaw became one of baseball’s top
left-handed pitching prospects in 2008 due to his consistent mid-90s heat and
development of a reliable slider. Holland, who began the season throwing
91-94 mph with Clinton, was dialing it up between 93-97 mph after his
promotion to Frisco. The 22-year-old combined to go 13-1 with a 2.27 ERA
between three levels in ’08. He allowed only three earned runs in 46.2
innings [0.58 ERA] after his promotion to Double-A.
3. Justin Smoak, 1B – Despite having just 56 professional at-bats, Smoak is
the system’s top position prospect. This summer’s 11th overall pick in the
MLB Draft is the complete package both offensively and defensively. The
switch-hitting Smoak packs plus power and good discipline from both sides of
the plate in addition to his solid defensive skills at first base.
4. Elvis Andrus, SS – Andrus proved he could succeed against Double-A
competition in 2008 despite being just 19-years-old for most of the season.
The shortstop has outstanding tools, including plus-plus range, a plus arm,
and plus speed. His bat is also beginning to develop—Andrus hit .313 after
the Texas League All-Star break.
5. Michael Main, RHP – Sidelined by a rib injury for the entire first half,
Main rebounded to post a 2.58 ERA with 50 strikeouts in 45.1 innings with
Single-A Clinton. The 19-year-old righty is not only polished for his age,
but he can also dial his fastball into the mid-90s.
6. Martin Perez, LHP – The 17-year-old Perez held his own against
competition that was generally four and five years his elder in 2008. Perez
put up a 3.65 ERA in 61.2 innings with short-season Spokane while featuring a
low-90s fastball, a well-developed curveball, and a promising changeup. The
lefty could be the Rangers’ top prospect by the end of next season.
7. Taylor Teagarden, C – Known as a defensive whiz behind the plate,
Teagarden’s 2008 campaign appeared to be a complete loss offensively, as he
batted .211 with nine home runs in 73 games between Double- and Triple-A. But
the Dallas native helped quell doubts about his bat when he hit .319 with six
home runs with the Rangers in September.
8. Engel Beltre, CF – Beltre, 18, spent all of 2008 in the full-season
Midwest League. He improved as the season progressed, batting .295 with five
home runs and 22 stolen bases in the second half. With excellent raw power,
good speed, and a great arm, the centerfielder not only has true five-tool
potential, but he also has the highest ceiling of any position player in the
Rangers’ system.
9. Neil Ramirez, RHP – The fourth of the Rangers’ five first round picks in
the 2007 Draft, Ramirez could turn out to be the best of them all. The
Virginia Beach native had an outstanding debut with short-season Spokane this
past summer, as he held batters to a .166 average while striking out 52 in 44
innings. The 6-foot-3 hurler consistently works in the low-90s with a plus
hammer curveball.
10. Julio Borbon, CF – Though he has played just one professional season,
Borbon should see the Majors at some point in 2009. The centerfielder
finished his 2008 campaign by batting .337 with five home runs at Double-A
Frisco. Borbon, who possesses plus speed and good bat control skills, has
shown improved plate discipline in the highly competitive Arizona Fall League
this offseason.
11. Eric Hurley, RHP – Hurley had disappointing results with Triple-A
Oklahoma in 2008, as he posted a 5.30 ERA with 15 home runs allowed in 13
starts. Still, the 23-year-old pitched relatively well in limited action for
the Rangers before his season was ended with shoulder tendonitis. Despite the
setbacks, Hurley’s solid three-pitch mix could help him develop into a
mid-rotation starter—if he succeeds at keeping the ball in the park.
12. Blake Beavan, RHP – The Irving native didn’t have his mid-90s velocity
in 2008, but that didn’t stop him from putting up a 2.37 ERA in 121.2
innings at Single-A Clinton. Beavan, who generally worked in the 88-89 mph
range, displayed excellent command of his fastball and outstanding
pitchability skills in general. Look for Beavan’s velocity to kick up a
notch in his second full season.
13. Max Ramirez, C – Ramirez terrorized the Texas League to the tune of a
.354 average and 17 home runs in just 69 games this past season. The
performance helped Ramirez earn his second consecutive trip to the MLB
All-Star Futures Game. The 24-year-old catcher is an excellent hitter with
above-average power and plate discipline. He should compete for a spot on the
Rangers’ opening day roster in 2009.
14. Wilfredo Boscan, RHP – The 19-year-old posted a 9-1 record and a 3.12
ERA with short-season Spokane in his first season in the U.S. Boscan, who
struck out 70 while walking just 11 in 69.1 innings, has an upper-80s,
low-90s sinker to go along with an excellent changeup. Despite his lack of
experience, Boscan could be the most polished of the Rangers’ recent
international signees.
15. Tommy Hunter, RHP – Hunter reached the Major League level in just his
first full season. The big right-hander is a strike-throwing machine who
possesses arguably the system’s best curveball. Hunter’s fastball sits in
the 91-93 mph range, generally bumping 94 a handful of times per start. He
spent much of the 2008 season developing his changeup, a pitch he will need
in order to succeed as a big league starter.
16. Omar Poveda, RHP – Perhaps the most overlooked prospect in the system,
the 21-year-old Poveda finished strong with Bakersfield in 2008. After
missing a large portion of the season to both shoulder fatigue and a split
fingernail, the 6-foot-4 hurler rebounded to post a 2.83 ERA in six August
starts. Poveda’s go-to pitch is a plus changeup, but his curveball has made
significant strides over the past two seasons, helping to increase his
strikeout rate.
17. Kasey Kiker, LHP – Not wanting to jeopardize his future, the Rangers
erred on the side of caution with Kiker’s shoulder in 2008. Though the
left-hander didn’t post outstanding numbers in Bakersfield, he continued to
refine his command. Kiker uses his solid curveball and changeup to complement
his upper-80s, low-90s heater. He could re-gain some velocity in 2009,
assuming the shoulder troubles become a thing of the past.
18. Warner Madrigal, RHP – In just his second full season of pitching, the
former outfielder showed flashes of brilliance with the Rangers this past
summer. Madrigal showed the potential to be a future late-inning reliever
with his 90-94 mph fastball and excellent slider-splitter combination. The
right-hander should play a key role in the Rangers’ bullpen in 2009.
19. Joe Wieland, RHP – Wieland’s performance this past summer was the best
of any 2008 Rangers draft pick. The 18-year-old righty limited opposing
hitters to a .200 average while going 5-1 with a 1.44 ERA in 43.2 innings for
the rookie-level AZL Rangers. The pitcher’s fastball currently sits in the
upper-80s and low-90s, but the club expects him to add some velocity as he
matures. Wieland also mixes in a curveball and a changeup.
20. Jose Vallejo, 2B – Vallejo entered 2008 with a bag of intriguing tools
[speed, range, arm], but he had always failed to do one thing—hit. Though he
is arguably the best [and fastest] baserunner in the system, Vallejo had
never been able to reach base consistently. That changed this season, as he
combined to hit .292 with 29 doubles and 11 home runs between High-A
Bakersfield and Double-A Frisco. The slick-fielding second baseman also added
42 steals in 46 attempts.
21. Robbie Ross, LHP – The only player on the list yet to play a
professional game, Ross is said to possess excellent command for his age. The
left-hander, who signed with the Rangers for a reported $1.575 million,
throws his fastball in the low-90s. He also has a promising slider and an
advanced changeup. Ross is likely to begin next season with the Spokane
Indians.
22. Clark Murphy, 1B – The Rangers’ fifth round pick in the 2008 Draft was
said to be raw, but he certainly didn’t show it in his debut. Though he was
drafted as an outfielder, Murphy played first base for the AZL Rangers while
batting .358 with 11 extra-base hits in 95 at-bats. The left-hander not only
has impressive raw power, but he also appears to be a well-disciplined hitter
for his young age.
23. Tim Murphy, LHP – Tim, no relation to Clark, was the club’s third round
pick in the 2008 Draft. The 21-year-old southpaw proved to be polished
despite focusing solely on pitching for just one year at UCLA. Murphy
compiled a 2.83 ERA while surrendering only 29 hits in 47.1 innings between
Spokane and Clinton. His polish, low-90s fastball, and good curveball all
make him comparable to 2007 draft pick Tommy Hunter.
24. Mitch Moreland, 1B/LHP – Moreland is a rare athlete. It’s not often
that a player can bat .324 with 59 extra-base hits in a pitcher-friendly
league, yet still not convince an organization that he’s best suited as a
position player. Though Moreland made the necessary adjustments to his swing
and conquered the Midwest League, the Rangers had the left-hander—who throws
in the low-90s—go to instructs solely as a pitcher. He is likely to remain a
position player in 2009, but he could see some action on the mound as well.
25. Carlos Pimentel, RHP – The 18-year-old held batters to a .204 average
while putting up a 3.31 ERA with Spokane this past summer. Pimentel’s stuff
may not be as electric as some of the system’s other young arms, but he does
know how to pitch. The 6-foot-3 righty has an upper-80s, low-90s fastball to
go with a decent curveball.
26. John Mayberry, OF – Mayberry got off to an excellent start in Triple-A
[.311 in his first 219 at-bats] before stumbling late [.216 in his last 218].
The 6-foot-6 Stanford product still has his light-tower power—and he
continued to cut down on his strikeouts—but he is still an inconsistent
hitter. The 24-year-old Mayberry could be added to the Rangers’ 40-man
roster in order to protect him from this offseason’s Rule 5 Draft.
27. Thomas Diamond, RHP –Coming off Tommy John surgery in 2008, Diamond’s
stats don’t tell the entire story. Diamond tried to come back with bone
spurs in his ankle—an issue that was fixed after minor surgery in August.
The big 25-year-old possesses a good fastball-changeup combination, but in
the past, he had lacked a reliable breaking pitch. That changed this past
summer, as Diamond came back throwing a big-breaking curveball that showed
plus potential. A healthy Diamond could burst back on to the scene in 2009.
28. Wilmer Font, RHP – Font, 18, missed nearly all of the 2008 season with a
shoulder injury. The 6-foot-4 hurler is very raw, but he is one of the system
’s most naturally gifted players. Font, who stands 6-foot-4, throws serious
gas, with his fastball ranging anywhere between 90-99 mph. His curveball and
changeup have shown potential at times despite being in the early development
stages.
29. Kyle Ocampo, RHP – Ocampo, who signed for $250,000 as a 13th round pick
in the 2007 Draft, made his pro debut this past summer. The right-hander was
impressive, sitting between 90-93 mph with good life on his fastball while
flashing a slider that showed definite plus potential. Ocampo is also working
to develop a curveball and a changeup.
30. Marcus Lemon, IF – Lemon has played shortstop since joining the
organization in 2006, but he shifted to second base at instructs this fall.
It is unclear which position he will focus on in 2009. The 20-year-old broke
out offensively at the High-A level this past season, batting .295 with 42
extra-base hits. Lemon should begin next season with Double-A Frisco.
31. Doug Mathis, RHP – Shortly after his first big league stint, Mathis had
relatively minor shoulder issues that lingered until the season ended. With
his four pitch repertoire – which includes an upper-80s, low-90s sinker –
Mathis could develop into a solid back-of-the-rotation starter.
32. John Whittleman, 3B – Whittleman led the California League in walks [81]
despite having nearly 100 fewer at-bats than runner-up Eric Sogard. But the
third baseman was inconsistent on the whole, batting .257 with seven homers
in Bakersfield. Whittleman did show some of his offensive potential after a
late-season promotion to Frisco. The Houston native is just 21-years-old, but
he must shake off a dreadful Fall League performance [4-for-47] when he
returns to Frisco next season.
33. Andrew Laughter, RHP – The Louisiana-Lafayette product became the
organization’s first 2007 draft pick to reach Double-A, when he was promoted
in early May. With a fastball that ranges between 90-95 mph and a hard
mid-80s slider, Laughter classifies as a true power reliever. The 6-foot-4,
227-pounder’s numbers suffered after he wore down in August, but the hurler
should see time with the Rangers as early as next summer.
34. Tomas Telis, C – Don’t be fooled by his listed physical stats at
5-foot-8, 175-pounds—Telis’ body has already filled out quite a bit since
he signed as a 16-year-old last summer. Now 17, the switch-hitting catcher
had an outstanding professional debut in the Dominican Summer League. Telis
has superb hand-eye coordination and extremely advanced plate discipline for
his age. He should make his U.S. debut with the AZL Rangers in 2009.
35. Beau Jones, LHP – Jones excelled after making a permanent move to the
bullpen in June, posting a 1.11 ERA in 24.1 relief innings with High-A
Bakersfield. The 22-year-old continued to excel after being promoted to
Double-A. A left-hander, Jones has the ability to effectively throw three
pitches—an upper-80s, low-90s fastball, a curveball, and a changeup—in any
count.
36. Matt West, 3B – Though the Houston native didn’t post eye-popping stats
with Spokane [he hit .258 with four home runs in 67 games], he showed a great
deal of potential. The Rangers’ second round pick in the 2007 Draft, West
figures to develop his raw power as he moves up the organizational ladder.
37. Jacob Brigham, RHP – Because he missed the 2008 season after undergoing
Tommy John surgery, Brigham is often forgotten. But he still has one of the
system’s best arms. The 20-year-old hurler worked between 90-95 mph with
short-season Spokane in 2007. He also uses a big-breaking curveball and a
changeup. Brigham should be ready to go when spring training breaks next
season.
38. Joaquin Arias, IF – Questions still remain about Arias’ troubled
shoulder, which relegated him to second base for much of the 2008 season, but
he performed well at the plate. The former Yankees prospect batted .296 with
a career-high seven home runs for Triple-A Oklahoma before hitting .291 in
110 at-bats for the Rangers. While Arias may never be an everyday player in
the Majors, he could be an extremely valuable utilityman.
39. Kennil Gomez, RHP – A mid-season shoulder problem marked the end of an
otherwise outstanding season for the 20-year-old. Despite entering the season
with just 34.1 professional innings, Gomez opened with Single-A Clinton and
went 8-4 with a 2.97 ERA. The righty, who throws in the low-90s, works with a
good sinker-slider combination.
40. John Bannister, RHP – Coming off Tommy John surgery, Bannister gained
strength as the year progressed. After a disastrous late-April stint in
Double-A, Bannister went back to Bakersfield and moved to the bullpen. The
switch benefited him greatly, and he returned to Frisco in August to post a
2.77 ERA in 13 innings. The big 24-year-old flashes a 92-96 mph fastball
while showing good command of a hard curveball.
41. Cristian Santana, C/OF – With 121 strikeouts in 328 at-bats at Single-A
Clinton, Santana proved to be even more raw than most people thought. The
19-year-old struggled with pitch recognition all season long, but his
enormous raw power was still evident at times. Santana, who entered the 2008
campaign with just 121 professional at-bats, still has plenty of time to
develop. It is unclear whether he will remain in the outfield or eventually
return behind the plate full-time.
42. Brennan Garr, RHP – Shoulder issues caused an early season DL trip and a
rough start for the reliever, but he rebounded nicely to post a strong season
with Frisco. With his fastball sitting from 91-94 mph, Garr had a 2.70 ERA
with 29 strikeouts in 20 second-half innings. He also features a hard slurve
and an improving changeup, both of which can be swing-and-miss pitches.
43. Fabio Castillo, RHP – Castillo struggled in adjusting to full-season
ball in 2008. The 19-year-old saw his velocity fluctuate greatly [from the
low-80s to the low-90s] while moving between the rotation and the bullpen.
But Castillo’s season wasn’t as disastrous as it seems. He still worked in
the low-90s – touching 94 mph – at times while showing excellent life on
his fastball. He also has a decent slider, which sits at 83-85 mph when he’s
going well.
44. Chad Tracy, 1B – The catcher-turned-outfielder-turned-first baseman
batted .318 with 21 doubles and 12 home runs over his final 233 at-bats in
Bakersfield. He continued the streak after a promotion to Double-A, hitting
.344 in 24 games with Frisco. The Rangers’ third round pick in the 2006
Draft, Tracy is an all-around solid hitter that must prove his phenomenal
second half was no fluke.
45. Joseph Ortiz, LHP – The 5-foot-7 southpaw is a rarity. Not only did
Ortiz go directly from the Dominican Summer League to a full-season Clinton
club at 17-years-old, but he also throws in the low-90s with no fear. Ortiz,
who also has a strong slider, went right after hitters with the L-Kings,
holding them to a .204 average in 32 innings. The reliever finished the
season with a 2-0 record, four saves, and a 1.97 ERA.
46. Zach Phillips, LHP – With a 5.54 ERA, Phillips struggled to adjust to
the High-A California League. However, the lefty’s plus curveball and
promising changeup make him worth keeping an eye on. Phillips could benefit
from a mechanical change the Rangers made in instructs designed to smooth out
his delivery.
47. Michael Schlact, RHP – Schlact is another talented arm that struggled
statistically in 2008. The 6-foot-8 right-hander got off to a strong start
and finished well, but a dreadful mid-season stretch [8.44 ERA in July] put
quite a dent in his overall numbers. The 22-year-old works with a heavy
low-90s sinker and a much-improved slider.
48. Renny Osuna, IF – Osuna’s solid plate discipline and opposite-field
approach helped him bat .360 in 68 games with Single-A Clinton in 2008. The
23-year-old lost much of his power after a mid-season promotion to
Bakersfield, but he was still able to hit .317. Osuna’s advanced approach—
coupled with his ability to play second base, shortstop, and third base—make
him a potential Major League utilityman.
49. Leonel De Los Santos, C – Nicknamed ‘Macumba’ [meaning magic] because
of his plus-plus arm, De Los Santos has the tools to become an excellent
defensive catcher. Though his skills are raw across the board, the
19-year-old has some potential as a hitter and he has already begun to
develop some raw power as his body fills out.
50. Tim Smith, OF – The 22-year-old held his own in the Midwest League,
batting .300 with 13 home runs and 21 stolen bases. Smith began to tap into
his raw power with 11 second-half home runs, including seven in August alone.
The outfielder is a candidate to break out in the hitter-friendly California
League next summer.
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