Texas Rangers Top 25 Midseason Prospect Rankings: #1-5
The Texas Rangers are absolutely loaded with talent near the top of their farm system. Most of these players are a few years away from really making an impact in the majors, but fans have reasons to be excited for them.
The Texas Rangers lack top-tier talent that is actually MLB-ready, but these players are absolutely oozing with talent. If the Rangers can grow this talent where they reach the potential that most think they will have, the club is going to be in excellent condition in the future.
#5 OF Bubba Thompson, Down East Wood Ducks (A+)
Thompson was the first pick that the Texas Rangers made in their 2017 draft class. The 21-year-old Thompson had a terrific season last year in Hickory (A), but he has struggled so far this season, hitting just .145, and has missed about three months due to injury. He has the potential to be an excellent fielder with plus-plus speed to go with an above-average bat and power. He’s only played 18 games in A+ this season, so hopefully, he can end the season with a strong second half to potentially move up the list.
#4 RHP Cole Winn, Hickory Crawdads (A)
Winn, 19, was the Rangers first-round pick in 2018 and did not pitch after being drafted. When he finally took the mound for the Rangers, he struggled through his first few outings, but over his last four, he has allowed just three runs in 17 innings with five walks and 14 strikeouts. He is expected to develop four really good pitches, and he could become the first high school pitcher from the 2018 draft to make it to the majors.
#3 3B Josh Jung, Hickory Crawdads (A)
Jung, 21, was the Texas Rangers first-round pick in this year’s MLB draft and was a terrific hitter at Texas Tech. He has plus potential at the plate, and on defense. He has torn it up in his short time in the Rangers farm system, going 10-17 in his four games in the AZL league, and has gone 3-8 since his call-up. It’s safe to say that he has been terrorizing opposing pitchers thus far, and he could become the first player from this draft class to be called up to the majors.
#2 OF Leody Taveras, Frisco Roughriders (AA)
Taveras, the 20-year-old outfielder has been on the Rangers prospect watch for years, now. He has gobs of potential and is the closest of the players on this list to the majors. Defensively, he is ready to be a plus defender in the MLB, but his bat is still shy of the MLB level. He got to repeat Down East where he tore it up, hitting .294, and struggled some out of the gate in Frisco, but has since upped his average to .247.
#1 RHP Hans Crouse, Hickory Crawdads (A)
Crouse, 20, is looking like a huge steal from the 2017 draft, as he fell to the Texas Rangers at 66, and has dominated so far through the majors. Crouse has the potential for a plus-plus fastball and a plus slider. He just needs to develop a second pitch, and improve his control a bit to become a true ace. His 3.71 ERA this season is a bit misleading to how good he has really been. Prior to allowing seven runs earlier this month, his ERA was at 2.82, and he rebounded well in his most recent start, pitching four shutout innings.
He has true potential to become the future ace for the Rangers and be someone who fans should keep a close eye on how he develops.