Texas Rangers Top 25 Prospects: 21-25

The Texas Rangers minor league system is loaded with talent as we look towards the future.

21. Ti’Quan Forbes/3B/Age: 19/Projected Debut: 2018

Forbes was ranked as the 21st prospect in the Rangers’ system by MLB Prospect Watch in 2015. Forbes joins our top 25 because of his age and scouted potential. Drafted straight out of high school, Forbes struggled in 2015 to adjust to the speed of pro ball hitting .263 in Single-A (short season) with 54 strikeouts. However, making the jump from high school straight to the minors increases the difficulty of the transition. Forbes is a tall, lean player with a quick bat according to scouts. The young prospect played third most of his time in his first full season but has shown the speed and arm strength to play shortstop. Expectations are for Forbes to hit the big league club in a few years so fans still have some time to wait to see him playing in Arlington, but given his current talent, two years of developing could prove invaluable in this young players’ development.

22. Travis Demeritte/2B/Age: 21/Projected Debut: 2018

Demeritte was drafted in 2013 as a compensation pick for the loss of Josh Hamilton. Demeritte came into the system as a shortstop but his average speed led to transition to second base. He showed impressive power in his first season with Single-A Hickory hitting 25 homeruns. In June however he tested positive for banned performance enhancing substances and served an 80-game suspension. Despite his struggles to hit for average, scouts believe he can improve that aspect of his hitting to go along with above average power. He hit a combined .232 in 2015 between Spokane and Hickory and seems to be on the upswing following his suspension.

23. Michael De Leon/SS/Age: 19/Projected Debut: 2018

The Texas Rangers signed Michael De Leon in 2013 for $550,000 out of the Dominican Republic. Out of the 2013 international signing class for Texas, De Leon is considered one of the more mature players spending time in 2014 between Single-A Hickory and High-A Myrtle Beach. In High-A ball, De Leon hit .292 through 7 games with Myrtle Beach and .244 in 85 games with Hickory. Many expect the switch hitter to be fine in the majors defensively but for him to be an everyday player, he’ll have to develop his bat a bit more to make up for his lack of power.

24. Ronald Guzman/1B/Age: 21/Projected Debut: 2018

The Texas Rangers signed Ronald Guzman in 2011. The young first baseman was projected to be one of the top players to come out of that signing class. Guzman shows impressive bat skills however he struggled early on in his career against Single-A pitching. In 2015, Guzman spent most of his time in Single-A High Desert where he posted a .277 average and 73 RBI in a 107 games. He also spent a little bit of time with Single-A Hickory where he hit .309 in 24 games. If Guzman can keep improving his swing, he has the potential to become a potent hitter for Texas in future years.

25. Jose Trevino/C/Age: 23/Projected Debut: 2017

Jose Trevino signed with Texas in the 2014 amateur draft out of Oral Roberts University. In college he played catcher, third base and middle infield. The Rangers have transitioned Trevino to primarily a catching role in his time in the system. In 2014, he spent time in Low-A Spokane where he hit .257 with a .313 OBP. In 2015 he moved to Single-A Hickory and he hit .262/.291/415 over the course of 112 games. Trevino still has to improve his overall pitch recognition and selection if he looks to boost his batting average but his overall aggressiveness many see as a positive. Defensively, he has the fundamentals and tools to play catcher but still needs some development with blocking and receiving as he progresses through the minors.

Check in tomorrow for rankings 16-20. Comment if you agree or disagree with any rankings or assessment.

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