2011 MLB Draft – Your Rangers Update

It’s Draft Day!!!!

The 2011 MLB Draft kicks off tonight. Nothing is set in stone as it simply isn’t possible for it to be, but from the research that I have done, I think it’s a solid guess.

The Rangers will end the first round tonight with draft pick number 33, which is the draft pick that they acquired from Philadelphia when they signed Lee. While 32 players will be chosen ahead of them, they will have a decent opportunity of grabbing someone that they want and someone of decent talent.

What are the Rangers looking for? If you ask me, I think they are probably looking towards a pitcher as the Rangers can always have some depth added to their pitching staff.

Tyler Beede, RHP, Massachusetts High School

If Tyler Beede, a right handed pitcher, is still available at the conclusion of the first round then expect the Rangers to grab him before another team sweeps him up.

He is coming out of a high school in Massachusetts and has a very strong commitment to going to Vanderbilt. Based on several reports, he is honoring that commitment and does not wish for any team to contact and draft him. We will see, though. I mean, why would you give up this kind of chance right out of high school? If he ends up getting an offer, I think the young man may just change his mind.

Brandon Nimmo, OF, Wyoming High School

However, if they don’t have the option for a quality pitcher, they will liking be looking to add a power bat such as Brandon Nimmo, assuming that he’ll even still be available once their time to draft comes. Nimmo is definitely in the sights of the Rangers that’s for sure. What’s funny about this one is that his Wyoming high school didn’t even have a baseball team –crazy, right? But he is a stellar candidate to add to an organization and could cost somewhere around $2 to $3 million.

Other Prospect Options

The thing with the Rangers is that they have been linked to numerous prospects this year, but that’s likely because they are the last pick in the first round. They have back-up plans (and several) in place in case their top prospects are taken earlier in the round, which is very likely.

Some other prospects that the Rangers have been linked to include: Josh Bell and Cory Spangenberg – both decent bats – as well as pitchers such as Dillon Howard, Joe Ross, Josh Osich as well as Henry Owens.

Josh Bell reportedly is asking $6 million, which the Rangers won’t spend on him if that is true. The Giants have also been linked to Ross and if they choose to go with him in the first round then he won’t be available a few picks later for Texas.

It’s all going to come down who is left in the prospect list that the Rangers have compiled for themselves. Their next draft pick is in the second round, what many call the sandwich round, and will be number 37.

What are your thoughts on the draft? Who do you think the Rangers will draft?