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Reviewing the Texas Rangers Last Five 1st Round Picks

By Kenneth Nash

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) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – OCTOBER 5: The outside of the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington before the American League Wild Card game between the Texas Rangers and the Baltimore Orioles on October 5, 2012 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /

2016, Pick #30: LHP Cole Ragans, North Florida Christian HS (FL)

The Rangers went with pitching again in 2016 opting for a left-hander, Cole Ragans out of Tallahassee, Florida. Texas went with the high upside prep pitcher in the supplemental part of the 1st round and sent him to Arizona to play Rookie ball for the remainder of the 2016 season. In 2017, Ragans went to Short-Season Spokane where he made 13 starts for the Indians. His 87 strikeouts in just 57.1 innings really helped push him up prospect rankings.

In March of 2018 Ragans had to undergo Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow that caused him to miss the entirety of the 2018 season. With hopes that Ragans could put himself back on track in the minors in 2019, the Rangers and Ragans were dealt a blow when Ragans had to undergo a 2nd Tommy John surgery throwing his future with the club into some doubt.

Ragans still is considered to be a high potential pitcher and hopefully with a fully-healed elbow, can really make his mark on the organization. On the bright side, Ragans is still on 21-years old and there is no rush to push him up the system. However, having 2 elbow surgeries in 2 years does raise some questions and will be tough to come back from. Currently, MLB Prospect Watch has Ragans as the 14th overall prospect in the Texas Rangers system.

Notable Players Passed On:

LHP Kyle Muller (44th, ATL)

1B Pete Alonso (64th, NYM)

SS Bo Bichette (66th, TOR)

RHP Jon Duplantier (89th, ARI)

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