Texas Rangers Prospects: Offseason Rankings #11-15

As we (finally) work our way into the upper half of the Texas Rangers prospect rankings, we take a look into some new faces on the list.

Continuing through the middle-tier prospects, we now look into some players that have recently joined the Texas Rangers farm season during 2019.

#15 Maximo Acosta SS

Acosta was an international signing by the Texas Rangers in July of 2019 at just 16 years-old. As of now, he has an average hit tool, and is an above average runner and defender. He has gobs of potential, and is already drawing comparisons to Gleyber Torres. He should be able to play anywhere in the infield as he develops, and should be a fun prospect to keep up with, given his age.

Outlook: Acosta is just 17 years-old at the moment, and has yet to play for a Rangers-affiliate, but he is someone to definitely keep an eye on, as he climbs through the minors, possibly appearing in the majors in 2024.

#14 Anderson Tejeda SS

Tejeda, 21, played for the high-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers in 2019, and didn’t do much to impress early in the season, as he eventually suffered an injury after just 43 games played. He will likely start 2020 in high-A. He has an amazing arm, but is a fringe hitter, whose 2020 season will likely be critical for where he stands as a top prospect.

Outlook: Tejeda was added to the 40-man roster this offseason, so there is a chance he could make his debut in 2020, but he will probably need his offense to drastically improve to even be considered as a September call-up.

#13 Davis Wendzel INF

Wendzel, 22, was the 41st pick in the 2019 MLB draft, as the Texas Rangers used the pick they acquired for Alex Claudio to draft him. Wendzel was a co-Big 12 Player of the Year, with another Rangers prospect that will be on the list soon, as he hit .367 in 46 games at Baylor in 2019, then hit .316 in seven games in the minors for Texas. Wendzel has a solid bat, and possesses solid fielding ability, as he will likely be able to play anywhere in the infield for Texas.

Outlook: Wendzel only played seven games in the minors for Texas, but there is a good chance that the can work hard to find his way into the majors as soon as 2022.

#12 Steele Walker OF

Walker, 23, was the player that the Rangers received from the White Sox in the Nomar Mazara trade in December. He was a 2nd round pick in 2018, and hit .284 across two levels of the minors in 2019. He has great bat-to-ball skills, and he should become a good corner outfielder, as he posses pretty average ratings for his tools across the board.

Outlook: Walker could potentially hit and get on base a lot to work his way through the minors, and he could find himself in the majors by the end of 2021, or at least added to the 40-man roster by then.

#11 Bubba Thompson OF

Thompson, 21, was the Rangers 1st round pick in 2017, and he has slowly fallen down the Rangers prospect rankings over last season, as he struggled at the plate, and dealt with injuries throughout the years. He was terrific in 2018 for the Rangers A ball affiliate, and spent 2019 with the Rangers high-A team. Thompson will likely start 2020 in high-A once again, as he will look to rebound from essentially a lost 2019 season.

Outlook: Thompson has great tools, especially in the field, and running, and he will look to develop those traits, along with his bat in 2020, and we could potentially see him in the majors as early as 2022.