Top 20 Prospects: Texas Rangers
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Summary
We begin our Minor League review with perhaps the deepest and most talented
farm system in baseball. The Rangers boast a stunning mixture of high-ceiling
arms and impact position players in both the low- and high-minors. In addition
to the wave of talent brought in last summer in the Mark Teixeira trade, Texas
has committed sizeable resources to both the draft and the international market
, making waves on both fronts. The talent level in the system is reaching the
point where Texas will be able to start dealing high-end redundancies (such
as young catchers) in order to fill any holes, or to simply upgrade thinner
positions.
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1. Neftali Feliz | Stats | Depot Grade: A
6-3 / 180 | Age - 20 | RHP | B/T - R/R | Signed - 2005 | Dominican Republic
Floor: Closer | Ceiling: Front-end Starter | Projection: #1 Starter
Notes: The twenty-year old jumped to "elite" status this season after
carving-up the Midwest and Texas Leagues to the tune of 153 strikeouts in
127.1 IP. More impressive, perhaps, was the poise and command Feliz
demonstrated in posting a 3.0 SO/BB ratio along the way. Feliz sits in the
mid- to upper-90s with his fastball and has improved his feel and command
over an upper-70s curveball. Right now, all that stands in the way of Feliz
and a #1 arsenal is a viable changeup, which he is well on the way towards
refining.
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2. Elvis Andrus | Stats | Depot Grade: A-
6-0 / 185 | Age - 20 | SS | B/T - R/R | Signed - 2005 | Venezuela
Floor: Utility | Ceiling: All-star SS | Projection: Above-AVG SS
Notes: Andrus put together a solid offensive season at AA Frisco at the age
of 19, providing elite defense with a fringe plus-plus-arm and an advanced
offensive approach. He keeps a short path to the ball and has the potential
to develop low double-digit homerun power (though he profiles best as a
gap-to-gap hitter). At minimum he should provide above-average defense for
the Rangers, but he's so advanced for his age that few have doubts his bat
will play at the top of a Major League order, as well.
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3. Derek Holland | Stats | Depot Grade: A-
6-2 / 185 | Age - 21 | LHP | B/T - L/L | Drafted - 2006 (R25) | Wallace St.
CC (TX)
Floor: Bullpen | Ceiling: Front-end Starter | Projection: #2 Starter
Notes: Though his stuff is not quite as electric as Feliz's, Holland was
every bit as effective this year and is closer to a finished product. His
fastball has solid boring action and ranges from the low- to mid-90s. His
second best pitch is a hard sweeping slider that he can dial-up to the
low-80s, and he shows good fade and solid depth on his changeup. Holland blew
through three levels, pounding both sides of the plate with his fastball and
showing command over his arsenal to the tune of a 3.9 SO/BB ratio. He gives
Texas another legit potential #1 starter.
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4. Taylor Teagarden | Stats | Depot Grade: A-
6-1 / 200 | Age - 25 | C | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2005 (R3) | University of
Texas
Floor: Below-AVG C | Ceiling: All-star C | Projection: Above-AVG C
Notes: Teagarden is an advanced defensive catcher with solid catch-and-throw
skills that can also handle the bat. He has good natural loft and backspin in
his swing, translating to solid-AVG power. Teagarden is the most complete
player with the highest ceiling among Texas's deep crop of young backstops.
While he would undoubtedly bring back the best talent in a trade, it's
unlikely Texas will part with him unless it is for an elite talent. He fared
well in a late-season call-up and could be in the mix to hold-down the
starting job in '09 depending upon what moves are made this offseason.
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5. Justin Smoak | Stats | Depot Grade: A-
6-3 / 200 | Age - 22 | 1B | B/T - B/L | Drafted - 2008 (R1) | Univ. of South
Carolina
Floor: AVG 1B | Ceiling: All-star 1B | Projection: Above-AVG 1B
Notes: Incredibly, Smoak fell to the Rangers at pick 1-11 in this year's Rule
4 Amateur Draft. Smoak is a switch-hitter, proficient from both sides and
capable of hitting for average and power from both sides. He has advanced
pitch-ID and a solid command of the strike zone, which should allow him to
move quickly through the minors. Defensively, he is above-average at first
base with advanced hands and footwork. He could debut as early as 2009, and
should compete for a starting job no later than 2010.
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6. Engle Beltre | Stats | Depot Grade: B+
6-1 / 169 | Age - 19 | OF | B/T - L/L | Signed - 2006 | Dominican Republic
Floor: 5th OF | Ceiling: All-star OF | Projection: AVG OF
Notes: Still in need of refinement, Beltre has the potential to develop into
an elite five-tooler capable of all-star production in all aspects of the
game. In addition to general refinement, Beltre would benefit from
tightening-up his strike zone control, as his aggressive offensive approach
currently has him hitting many balls outside of the zone. Though his
plus-hand-eye coordination allows him to often times square-up on these
pitches, he may struggle to do so against more advanced pitching.
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7. Martin Perez | Stats | Depot Grade: B+
6-1 / 165 | Age - 17 | LHP | B/T - L/L | Signed - 2007 | Venezuela
Floor: Late-inning relief | Ceiling: Front-end Starter | Projection: #3
Starter
Notes: Perez's stuff is so impressive, it's hard to believe he is still only
seventeen. He pairs his low- to mid-90s fastball with a power curveball that
flashes plus-plus potential. His feel for his changeup is advanced for his
age and gives him three potential plus-pitches. His frame isn't ideal, but
there is room to add some size and, potentially, velocity. With a solid crop
of arms in the fold, Texas can afford to be patient with his development.
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8. Eric Hurley | Stats | Depot Grade: B+
6-4 / 195 | Age - 22 | RHP | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2004 (R1) | Jacksonville
HS (FL)
Floor: Bullpen | Ceiling: Mid-rotation Starter | Projection: #3 Starter
Notes: Hurley was not overly-impressive in his first taste of ML competition,
but he should get another good look in 2009. His fastball is a low-90s
offering with heavy boring action and good run (he can touch the mid-90s).
His slider has good depth and is particularly effective against righties. His
changeup has progressed well and gives him a potential out pitch against
lefties. He is still a good bet to reach his mid-rotation ceiling.
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9. Wilfredo Boscan | Stats | Depot Grade: B+
6-2 / 160 | Age - 18 | RHP | B/T - R/R | Signed - 2007 | Venezuela
Floor: Bullpen | Ceiling: Front-end Starter | Projection: #3 Starter
Notes: Boscan pairs an upper-80s/low-90s fastball with a hard
downer-curveball with plus-late break. His changeup is a solid third offering
with good depth and late movement. He has an aggressive approach and does an
admirable job attacking all quadrants of the strike zone.
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10. Neil Ramirez | Stats | Depot Grade: B
6-4 / 190 | Age - 19 | RHP | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2007 (R1s) | Kempsville HS
(VA)
Floor: Bullpen | Ceiling: Front-end Starter | Projection: #3 Starter
Notes: Currently in possession of two potential plus-pitches (a low-90s
fastball and a low-80s downer-curveball with good late bite), Ramirez needs
to further develop his changeup to continue towards his front-end ceiling.
His two-pitch mix could play quickly in the bullpen, but Texas has time to
work with him as a high-ceiling starter. Ramirez also is inconsistent with
his command and control -- particularly his fastball command in the zone --
though this isn't uncommon for a prospect his age.
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11. Michael Main | Stats | Depot Grade: B
6-2 / 170 | Age - 20 | RHP | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2007 (R1) | Deland HS (FL)
Floor: Late-inning relief | Ceiling: Front-end Starter | Projection: #3
Starter
Notes: Main boasts solid overall command of a good arsenal. His fastball is a
low-90s offering with late life, and he spins a good curveball with adequate
depth. His changeup is average. He still has room in his frame for growth,
which would help with some durability concerns.
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12. Robbie Ross | Stats (N/A) | Depot Grade: B
5-11 / 185 | Age - 19 | LHP | B/T - L/L | Drafted - 2008 (R2) | Lexington
Christian Academy (KY)
Floor: Non-prospect | Ceiling: Front-end Starter | Projection: #3 Starter
Notes: Ross generates low-90s velocity on his fastball and plus-spin on
low-80s slider with his short/quick arm action. He already has advanced
command of his secondary stuff, but he's a bit undersized raising questions
as to whether he will be able to shoulder a professional starter's load. His
easy and repeatable motion helps to quell so of these concerns.
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13. Julio Borbon | Stats | Depot Grade: B
6-1 / 190 | Age - 22 | OF | B/T - L/L | Drafted - 2007 (R1s) | University of
Tennessee
Floor: 5th OF | Ceiling: Above-AVG CF | Projection: AVG CF
Notes: Borbon needs to improve his approach at the plate. He is a gap-to-gap
hitter with potential to develop solid average power. He tracks the ball well
in the outfield and should provide defensive value in centerfield at a
minimum.
===============================================================================
14. Blake Beavan | Stats | Depot Grade: B
6-7 / 210 | Age - 20 | RHP | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2007 (R1) | Irving HS (TX)
Floor: Bullpen | Ceiling: Front-end Starter | Projection: Late-inning relief
Notes: Beavan is in possession of a solid two-pitch that could play well in
the bullpen (upper-80s/low-90s boring fastball and a slider that flashes
plus). He'll need to improve upon a third offering in order to stay a
starter. His durable frame is an asset in the rotation, but with the plethora
of arms Texas could shift him to the pen where he could move quickly.
===============================================================================
15. Max Ramirez | Stats | Depot Grade: B
5-11 / 170 | Age - 24 | C | B/T - R/R | Signed - 2002 | Venezuela
Floor: AVG 1B | Ceiling: Above-AVG C | Projection: AVG C
Notes: Like Teagarden, Ramirez got a taste of Major League ball this summer
with slightly less success. He is still working to improve his defense behind
the plate, where his bat plays as above-average. Otherwise, 1B or LF could be
options though he lacks the ideal projection for those positions. Ramirez
could be a trade piece this offseason with higher-ceiling options already in
the pipeline at C and 1B.
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16. John Mayberry, Jr. | Stats | Depot Grade: B
6-6 / 230 | Age - 25 | OF | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2005 (R1s) | Stanford
University
Floor: AAAA | Ceiling: Above-AVG OF | Projection: AVG OF
Notes: Mayberry's longish swing limits his contact rate and the ability for
his huge raw power to play-up (potential fringe-plus-plus). He has the arm
for RF but still struggles at times with his routes and tracking.
===============================================================================
17. Cristian Santana | Stats | Depot Grade: B-
6-0 / 175 | Age - 19 | C | B/T - R/R | Signed - 2005 | Dominican Republic
Floor: AAAA | Ceiling: All-star C | Projection: AVG OF
Notes: Santana is a plus-runner that could shift to the outfield if his
defense behind the plate slows his progression. His arm strength is solid for
a catcher, though his accuracy is inconsistent. There is plus-raw power in
his bat that has not yet been realized, though his swing is already solid,
taking a good path to the ball.
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18. Wilmer Font | Stats | Depot Grade: B-
6-4 / 237 | Age - 18 | RHP | B/T - R/R | Signed - 2005 | Venezuela
Floor: Bullpen | Ceiling: Front-end Starter | Projection: Late-inning relief
Notes: Though Font has a solid pitcher's frame, there is a good amount of
effort in his delivery. This may make the bullpen his likely destination,
where he could develop into a solid power arm. His mid-90s fastball is his
best offering, with a developing mid-70s curveball his second best.
===============================================================================
19. Joe Wieland | Stats | Depot Grade: B-
6-3 / 175 | Age - 18 | RHP | B/T - R/R | Drafted - 2008 (R4) | Bishop Manoque
HS (NV)
Floor: AAAA | Ceiling: Mid-rotation Starter | Projection: #4 Starter
Notes: Wieland's secondary stuff is still developing, but he has a solid
frame with room to grow. He has already begun to add velocity to his low-90s
fastball and his curveball has solid, though inconsistent, spin.
===============================================================================
20. Fabio Castillo | Stats | Depot Grade: B-
6-3 / 220 | Age - 19 | RHP | B/T - R/R | Signed - 2007 | Dominican Republic
Floor: AAAA | Ceiling: Mid-rotation Starter | Projection: #4 Starter
Notes: Castillo has a solid pitcher's frame and should prove to be a durable
arm. He has a solid average arsenal consisting of a low-90s fastball and a
solid low-80s curve. His splitfinger-changeup has okay depth, but is still an
inconsistent pitch. His slider, too, is inconsistent and flattens out
(particularly up in the zone).
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