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

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