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Texas Rangers Top Prospects Prior to the Deadline: 1-10

By Kenneth Nash |
ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 25: Willie Calhoun #5 of the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington on July 25, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 25: Willie Calhoun #5 of the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington on July 25, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 15: Seuly Matias #25 of the Kansas City Royals and the World Team celebrates with teammate Leody Taveras #3 of the Texas Rangers and the World Team after after hitting a solo home run against the U.S. Team in the second inning during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park on July 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 15: Seuly Matias #25 of the Kansas City Royals and the World Team celebrates with teammate Leody Taveras #3 of the Texas Rangers and the World Team after after hitting a solo home run against the U.S. Team in the second inning during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park on July 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

With only a day left until the MLB trade deadline, we’re looking at the top prospects within the Texas Rangers organization.

Before the MLB trade deadline, we’re taking a look at the top prospects within the Texas Rangers organization to get a better picture of what holes need to be filled on the final few days. We’ll evaluate the Top 20 Prospects in the Rangers organization starting with 11-20. We’re basing our rankings off of scouting reports, current production and future potential. For references, we’ve taken scouting information from MLB Prospect Watch and then formulated our own list. If you missed prospects 11-20, check them out here.

ARLINGTON, TX – JUNE 16: (L-R) Bubba Thompson from McGill-Toolen High School, Chris Seise out of West Orange High School and right-handed pitcher Hans Crouse out of Dana Hills High School pose for a photo after the Texas Rangers announced the signings of several of the club’s top selections in the 2017 Major League Baseball Draft at Globe Life Park in Arlington on June 16, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – JUNE 16: (L-R) Bubba Thompson from McGill-Toolen High School, Chris Seise out of West Orange High School and right-handed pitcher Hans Crouse out of Dana Hills High School pose for a photo after the Texas Rangers announced the signings of several of the club’s top selections in the 2017 Major League Baseball Draft at Globe Life Park in Arlington on June 16, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

10. RHP Owen White

Owen White was the 2nd round pick of the Texas Rangers in this year’s MLB draft. An 18-year old right hander, White showcases elite athleticism which gave him the chance to pitch and play shortstop for South Carolina if he had attended there instead of signing with the Rangers. Texas invested $1.5 million in White to get him to sign. At 6’3″ and 170 lbs. White has a “projectable frame” that means he can add plenty of muscle to help up the velocity on his fastball. With four above average pitches, White has the potential to be a number two starter in the bigs.

ETA: 2022

9. LHP Joe Palumbo

A 2013, 30th round draft pick of the Texas Rangers, Joe Palumbo perhaps has developed the most out of anybody on this list. The 23-year old left hander showcases a lethal curve that can do damage to both lefties and righties at the plate. Despite missing over a year do to injury, Palumbo has continued to improve on the mound. His sample size is fairly small due to his injuries but when he’s been healthy he’s been a strikeout machine. It’s unknown whether he has the physical tools to be a starter but his stuff is good enough to be a dominant late inning reliever.

ETA: 2020

8. RHP Jonathan Hernandez

Currently in Double-A Frisco, Johnathan Hernandez will be the first pitcher from this Top 10 to reach the big leagues. A 2013 signee out of the Dominican Republic, Hernandez sports a mid-90s fastball and an above average slider. At only 22, he still has plenty of room to develop especially with his control and command. In Frisco he’s struggled a bit making 8 starts and posting a 7.14 ERA with 30 strikeouts and 26 walks. Still, his High-A numbers leave room for promise. In 10 starts, Hernandez struck out 77 while walking just 17 on his way to a 2.20 ERA. If he can regain some control, he has the makings of a late rotation starter.

ETA: 2019

7. OF Bubba Thompson

Thompson, like White, is known for his elite athleticism. A first round draft pick for Texas in 2017, Thompson is one of a number of top outfielder prospects within the Rangers system. With elite speed and above average arm and glove, Thompson has the ability to stick in center field up through the bigs. For Single-A Hickory, Thompson is .288 through 58 games and has stolen 23 bases in 2018. He could stand to work on his strikeout rate but at only 20 years old, tons of upside is still there.

ETA: 2022

6. LHP Cole Ragans

The Rangers drafted Cole Ragans 30th overall in the 2016 draft. Ragans has been compared to another Cole who was just traded from the Rangers, Cole Hamels for much of his career. Ragans sports three plus pitches but lacks in control. Unfortunately, he’s out for the season after Tommy John surgery but expectations are still high for Ragans. If he can work on his walk rate, Cole has a chance to be a number two starter in the bigs a few years down the road.

ETA: 2021

WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 15: Seuly Matias #25 of the Kansas City Royals and the World Team celebrates with teammate Leody Taveras #3 of the Texas Rangers and the World Team after after hitting a solo home run against the U.S. Team in the second inning during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park on July 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 15: Seuly Matias #25 of the Kansas City Royals and the World Team celebrates with teammate Leody Taveras #3 of the Texas Rangers and the World Team after after hitting a solo home run against the U.S. Team in the second inning during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park on July 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

5. RHP Cole Winn

Cole Winn was the first round draft pick of the Texas Rangers this past June. Some have him as the  top pitcher in the system ahead of Hans Crouse. At only 18, it’s hard to project exactly how good he’ll be but he might have some of the most upside among pitching prospects. MLB Prospect Watch even notes that he could be the first high school pitcher from this year’s draft to reach the MLB. He hasn’t been assigned yet but his plus fastball, curve and change should have Rangers fans excited. Winn also cracked the MLB Prospect Watch Top 100 prospects at number 99. If he develops how people think he might, we’re looking at a possible number one in the rotation.

ETA: 2022

4. RHP Hans Crouse

Hans Crouse is probably the pitching prospect getting the most press right now for Texas. The quirky right hander has been tearing up Short Season A ball for Spokane going 4-1 in 7 starts and posting a 2.45 ERA. Opponents are hitting just .174 against him and he’s only walked 9 compared to 41 strikeouts. Oh, and he’s only 19 years old. His command isn’t the best but he has a plus-plus fastball and an above average slider that can make him devastating on the mound. Like Winn, Crouse has a top end of being a number one starter for Texas.

ETA: 2021

3. OF Julio Pablo Martinez

The Rangers signed Martinez, 22, is March as an international free agent. A left handed outfielder, Martinez shows elite speed and a good glove in the outfield. Currently in Spokane, JPM is hitting .240 with 6 homers in 36 games. His arm isn’t the best and he could stand to improve his strikeout rate but he has talent which is why he landed at number 62 on MLB’s Top 100 prospect list. At the major league level he has the tools to stick in center field.

ETA: 2020

2. OF Willie Calhoun

Calhoun, 23, obviously is already up with the Major League club. The most developed prospect in the system, Calhoun tore up Triple-A this season hitting .306 with an .804 OPS. Not necessarily renowned for his defense, Calhoun is a pure hitter with above average contact and power which is why he’s a center piece of the Rangers future. He also cracked the Top 50 prospects in baseball according to MLB Prospect Watch. If he can continue to develop defensively, Texas has a real star on their hands.

ETA: 2018

1. OF Leody Taveras

A switch hitting 19 year old, Taveras has the most upside in the Rangers system. Signed by Texas in 2015 as an international free agent. Currently with High-A Down East, Taveras is hitting .236 with a .309 on-base percentage in 100 games. With plus tools at both the plate and in the field, he has the potential to develop into a five-tool player in my opinion. Defensively he can play anywhere in the outfield but I’d be shocked if he gets moved from center.

ETA: 2020

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