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Arguably, no team has done better internationally than the Texas Rangers. On top of throwing big money at international prospects, the Rangers have done well in the draft, adding quality prospects and depth to a system that never seems to run dry.
Below are my top 16 prospects with 2012 opening day age, position, and comments on each player. Below the top 16 is a small list of additional notable names. Enjoy.
| Player | Comments | |
| 1 | Jurickson Profar (19-SS) | Played all of 2011 at age 18 in A-ball and looked like a college draftee playing in a league too easy for him. He has a plus arm to go with incredible instincts and makeup on defense and above-average range. He also has one of the most advanced approaches for a teenager, walking in more than half of his games and walking more than he struck out. He hits line drives all over the field and the power is developing nicely. He has easy star potential. |
| 2 | Martin Perez (21-LHP) | Seems like he has been doing this forever but he only turns 21 in April. He is very inconsistent but has a fastball that reaches the mid-90s, a plus change-up, and curveball that can be above-average at times. His command and control come and go but he has the upside of a #2 if he can gain more consistency and pitch deeper into ball games. |
| 3 | Mike Olt (23-3B) | He has tons of power and is a well above-average defender with some believing he can be plus at 3B. He hit 28 HR in only 100 games last year in the minors and in the AFL. He has great patience with a 14.4% walk rate in his young career but his hit tool is only average (at best) but he could still have star potential if he plays 3B but Adrian Beltre is blocking him right now so his best chance with the Rangers might be in RF where his arm would be an asset. |
| 4 | Neil Ramirez (22-RHP) | He has a plus fastball that sits 92-95 and can touch the upper-90s, a potentially plus curveball, and a developing change that is average. He has a great frame and could add 10-15 pounds of muscle to add durability. He does have some command and control issues but he looks the part of a great #3 starter with a chance to be more. |
| 5 | Leonys Martin (24-OF) | His defense is ready now and he could contend for Gold Gloves in CF. He has tons of speed but is still raw on the base paths. He can also take a walk and makes a fair amount of contact. I don’t see a star because I am not sold on his bat but a Big-League regular who might make an All-Star or two. |
| 6 | Robbie Ross (22-LHP) | Small frame for a starter but he has plus control and although his fastball does not have plus velocity it has excellent movement, deception, and he keeps the ball down in the zone well. He also has two secondary pitches that can be above-average. His results scream #2 or #3 starter but he looks more the part of a #4 starter although #3 is still in reach. He has a solid floor of a #5 starter. |
| 7 | Christian Villanueva (20-3B) | Another excellent defender at the hot corner with power potential and well above-average speed, especially for a 3B. Blocked by two guys in the org ahead of him but he has time on his side and needs it to improve his plate discipline. Could rank much higher next year. |
| 8 | Cody Buckel (19-RHP) | His fastball may only be average but also has three other offerings that all grade as at least average and he has near plus control and command. He is very athletic but could benefit from some added muscle. |
| 9 | Rougned Odor (18-2B) | Played in low-A ball at the age of 17 and looks to be headed to A-ball at the age of 18. He has plus tools at 2B that could make him above-average if the Rangers move him to SS. He has a solid line-drive stroke and excellent speed and could develop more pop once he adds some muscle. I don’t quite think he has star potential but above-average regular looks possible if he tightens his approach at the plate. |
| 10 | Jorge Alfaro (18-C) | Doesn’t turn 19 until June and will likely be in A-ball. He has above-average hit tool, power, arm. He is still very raw and with the potential reward there is a lot of risk. He has absolutely no plate discipline and will likely chase a pitch-out at this point in his career. The 6 unintentional walks in 358 career PAs has to drastically improve. |
| 11 | Jake Skole (20-OF) | He is kind of a tweener for me. He has the speed to play CF but the skills have not translated to the diamond. If he has to move to RF he will likely be a plus defender but the pre-game power he possesses has not shown up in games…yet. I hold hope. He draws a lot of walks, walking in 13% of his PAs as a 19 year old in A-ball, but he strikes out a ton as well. He is still very raw but he has all the tools to be a regular, maybe more. |
| 12 | Luis Sardinas (18-SS) | Doesn’t turn 19 until May but could also find himself in A-ball and make a great double-play combo with Odor. He has a strong arm and great speed but is still raw and learning SS. On offense he may never have much power but he has a decent approach at the plate and tons of speed. Like Odor, if he tightens up his approach he could be an above-average regular. |
| 13 | Will Lamb (21-LHP) | He has a lot of projection left in his 6’6″ frame. He has a fastball that reaches the mid-90s and two potential above-average secondary offerings. He lacks command and control and is still a bit raw for a college prospect. Could move quickly in the pen but I want him to stay in the rotation. |
| 14 | David Perez (19-RHP) | His first taste of pro ball in the States didn’t go so well as he showed below-average command and control but he still flashed that mid-90s heat and two potential above-average secondary offerings. He still has the potential to be a solid #3 starter who eats innings but he is still very raw and will need time. |
| 15 | Miguel De Los Santos (23-LHP) | He has a low-90s fastball and a plus change-up but lacks size, command, control, and an average third pitch and I think he ends up in the bullpen. |
| 16 | Nomar Mazara (17-OF) | No data on him but he said to be one of the best power hitting prospects to ever come out of the Dominican and the Rangers bet $5M that report holds true. |
A few more names to watch: Michael Kirkman (LHP), Tanner Scheppers (RHP), Roman Mendez (RHP), Leury Garcia (SS)
-Jonathan C. Mitchell can be found writing about the Tampa Bay Rays at DRaysBay and the Florida Marlins at ESPN’s SweetSpot site Marlins Daily. You can follow him on twitter at @FigureFilbert. Be sure to follow MLBdirt at @MLBdirt
Filed under: On the Farm - Prospects Tagged: | 2012 Top Prospects, Christian Villanueva, Cody Buckel, David Perez, Jake Skole, Jorge Alfaro, Jurickson Profar, Leonys Martin, Leury Garcia, Luis Sardinas, Martin Perez, Michael Kirkman, Miguel de los Santos, Mike Olt, Neil Ramirez, Nomar Mazara, Prospects, Robbie Ross, Roman Mendez, Rougned Odor, Tanner Scheppers, Texas Rangers, Will Lamb
Annnnnnnd who has 1-2 in our franchise league?
Yeah, yeah, yeah!
I agree on Profar. He’s so young, so good that it’s only a matter of time before Profar is a (MLB) star.
Perez, on the other hand, I just don’t see what others do. Yes, he’s always been young for the league he’s pitched in; yes, he has potentially great stuff but he just hasn’t put it all together – the control and command. I personally see him never reaching the heights scouts have had for him. History is littered with great tools, underwhelming results guys. I think Perez will eventually be a bullpen arm, although there too he will have big potential. Will he reach it? Not even sure in that type of role either.
I somewhat agree with you on Perez. I don’t agree that he is a bullpen arm but I see a potential Scott Kazmir career with great success early but inconsistent with the chance that he does it longer than Kazmir. At worst I see a #4 starter.
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