Texas Rangers 2010 Minor League Review
Overall farm ranking via Baseball America (2010)
2010 (2) | 2009 (1) | 2008 (4) | 2007 (28) | 2006 (16) | 2005 (16) | 2004 (16)
Record of Major and Minor League Teams
MLB: [90 – 72] AL West – AL Champions
AAA: [73 – 70] Pacific Coast League – Oklahoma City
AA: [72 – 67] Texas League – Frisco
A+: [67 – 73] California League – Bakersfield
A: [75 – 64] South Atlantic League – Hickory
A(ss): [43 – 33] Northwest League – Spokane
R: [31 – 24] Arizona Rookie League
The Run Down
Their 2011 farm ranking has dropped from the single digits from some stellar prospects graduating or being traded. They may not have another hitter like Smoak in the system, but their pitching is deep. With Alexi Ogando (technically a rookie) and Matt Harrison (besides yesterday’s game), the Rangers have started the 2011 season well. Here’s a look at some pieces to utilize during the 2011 season. There were plenty of pitchers to nominate, but most of them were identical with solid offerings, middling ceilings as starters and/or good relievers and upside.
Arizona Fall League Players – Surprise Rafters
Pitchers – Adalberto Flores (RHP), Danny Gutierrez (RHP), Eric Hurley (RHP), Tim Murphy (LHP)
Hitters – Jose Felix (C), Davis Stoneburner (IF), Engle Beltre (OF), Joey Butler (OF)
Graduating Prospects
#1 (RHP) Neftali Feliz; #8 (1B/OF) Mitch Moreland
Players of Interest for 2010
*All prospect rankings are from Baseball America Handbook 2011 unless otherwise noted. Stats from 2010 season.
Hitters
#5 Engel Beltre | OF: With 10 to 15 home run power potential and 30 steal ceiling, Beltre could be a mini-Johnny Damon with a better arm and above-average defense. He had 29 XBH last year with six home runs and solid slash line of .300/.346/.410 in 444 at-bats. Needs to refine hitting approach with an opportunity to apply his skills in the majors at some point in the 2011 season. Currently at Double-A.
Pitchers
#3 Tanner Scheppers | RHP (RP): Throws a 95 to 98 MPH fastball when starting and reaches 100 MPH when relieving. He also has a great curveball and slider. His changeup needs work. Rangers want him to be a starter according to BA. Should be in the majors when he can become more consistent.
#1 Martin Perez | LHP (SP): He struggled last year with his control and was rocked at Double-A. He was just 19 last year and is throwing his 88 to 92 MPH fastball, plus changeup and a solid curveball at Double-A again. He is still young for Double-A and his ceiling is still very high. Last year I compared him to a mix between Clayton Kershaw and Johan Santana. Still a valid comparison.
#6 Michael Kirkman | LHP (SP): Kirkman throws a plus slider and a mixture of average offerings. He’s the epitome of a swing-man, struggles with command and has two solid pitches. Has 16 major league innings of experience last year and will have more come the end of 2011 too.
#10 Miguel de los Santos | LHP (SP): Ceiling is a number three starter with a plus-plus changeup. Might explain his 14.3 K/9 ratio last year in the lower minors. Young hitters struggle with good changeups. Struggles with control of pitches, pitching smartly – throws fastball far too often. Currently at Double-A and struggling with control.
Honorable Mentions
Hitters
#2 Jurickson Profar | SS: Awesome defense, ceiling with bat is all about filling out physically, line-drive swing projects for average power. Currently playing at Single-A playing in his first full season of pro-ball.
#7 Mike Olt | 3B: Above-average raw power but a hitch in his swing needs to be removed and mentally remove his pull-happy tendencies to sustain last year’s slash line of .293/.390/.464 in 263 at-bats. Scouts project him as an average hitter with above-average power and good defense. Melvin Mora? Maybe. Currently at High-A trying to prove his future.
Pitchers
#4 Robert Erlin | LHP (SP): Projects as middle of the rotation pitcher with a 88 to 91 MPH fastball, a plus curveball and a good changeup with good command. He dominated Single-A last year with a 9.8 K/9 rate and a .92 WHIP and a 2.12 ERA at Single-A. Currently pitching at High-A and pitching well (10.6 K/9 1.2 BB/9 in 22 IP).
#14 Wilmer Font | RHP (SP): Recovering from Tommy John surgery but is protected on the 40-man roster. Font has 97 to 98 MPH fastball with great sinking action but no solid breaking ball. At just 21, he still has room to improve and become a solid starter.
