Reviewing the Texas Rangers Last Five 1st Round Picks

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)