Updated Texas Rangers Top Prospects: #6-15

Prospects #11 – #15

#15 RHP Ryan Garcia, Spokane Indians (Short-Season)

Kicking off the list is the Rangers 2nd round pick from the draft last month. He was terrific at UCLA, and the Rangers currently have him with the short season team in Spokane. Garcia, 21, is graded with four solid pitches that he can throw, and looks like he will be a mid-rotation player. He was the PAC-12 Pitcher of the Year for the 2019 season, and posted a high strikeout rate with a low walk total.

#14 2B/OF Nick Solak, Nashville Sounds (AAA)

Coming into the season, Solak, 24, was rated by MLB.com as the #9 second base prospect, and a top 100 prospect by Fangraphs. This season, he has been a solid hitter for Tampa Bay, and has shown great power. He probably should be higher on the list, but his age and poor arm are why he is ranked here. There is a chance he could challenge Rougned Odor for the starting 2nd base job next season if he can improve his defense.

#13 C Sam Huff, Frisco RoughRiders (AA)

21 year-old Sam Huff has been a great breakout for the Texas Rangers minor league teams. Starting the season in A ball, he dominated, hitting .333 across 30 games with 15 home runs, quickly earning a promotion to A+. Since his promotion, he has hit .266 in 55 games with 9 home runs. His exit velocity is similar to some guy that the Rangers have by the name of Joey Gallo. Huff could have a shot at a late season call-up next year, given the Rangers catching woes.

#12 INF Jonathan Ornelas, Hickory Crawdads (A)

Last seasons 3rd round pick for the Texas Rangers, 19 year-old Ornelas, hit .302 for the Rangers Arizona league team, and has been solid this season in Hickory. He should be able to play all over the infield, and shows the potential to be an above average defender, as well as a solid hitter.

#11 OF Julio Pablo Martinez, Down East Wood Ducks (A+)

23 year-old Martinez, was the highlight of the Rangers international signing class in 2018. He is higher on most lists, but given his struggles this season, as well as his age, he is lower on this one. Since his promotion to Down East, Martinez is .227, but his bat has shown life over the past 30 days, as he has hit .305. He shows plus hitting, fielding, and speed, it’s just a matter of when he can harness it.

#10 3B Davis Wendzel, Injured List

The Texas Rangers used the draft pick they received in the Alex Claudio trade to draft Baylor’s former 3rd baseman, Wendzel. He hasn’t made his minor league debut yet, but there are reasons to be excited to see him. He shows some similarities to Justin Turner from the Dodgers in his appearance, and likely will at the plate. He has an above average hit tool, and should become and above average defender as well.

#9 LHP Brock Burke, Frisco RoughRiders (AA)

Lefty Brock Burke, 22, was one of the main guys that the Rangers received in the Jurickson Profar deal in the offseason. As a Ranger, he has struggled to stay healthy, and he has an 0-5 record in six starts in Frisco. Although he has a bad record, his ERA of 4.40 shows that he hasn’t been as bad as the record may indicate. Burke can become a middle of the rotation starter, once he gets his command down. At the worse, he would probably become a reliever with his solid fastball-slider combo.

#8 LHP Taylor Hearn, Injured List

Prior to his injury, Hearn, 24, was having a solid season in Nashville, where he posted a 4.05 ERA across four starts, before being called up to the majors and getting injured. Hearn was the main part of the return in the Keone Kela deal last season. He projects to become a middle to end of the rotation starter. His control is a bit iffy, so there is a good chance he could become a late-inning reliever with a plus-plus fastball.

#7 SS Anderson Tejeda, Down East Wood Ducks (A+)

Tejada, 21, has the potential to be an excellent defender, given his plus-plus arm, combined with above average fielding. Pair that with above average power, and he could become a great infielder when he makes it to the show. He has some work to do, and is still waiting on his power to come in, but with some work he could find himself playing in Arlington in a few seasons if he has a breakout campaign in the minors.

#6 LHP Joe Palumbo, Nashville Sounds (AAA)

24 year-old lefty, Joe Palumbo has flown through the Rangers farm system since his return from Tommy John surgery last summer. After starting in the rookie league in 2018, he jumped all the way to Frisco to end the season, and has already made his MLB debut this season. He is believed to become a middle of the rotation starter, given that he has three above average pitches to pair with good control. Depending on what the Texas Rangers do at the trade deadline, he could find himself as an regular big league starter by the end of this season.