Texas Rangers: Spring Training battle for catcher could get interesting

Top Catching Prospects

The good news for the Texas Rangers is that they have successfully started to restock their prospect pool with talented catching prospects who look like future big leaguers. The bad news, none are likely to be ready for 2020 and will need until at least 2021 to become regular Major League players.

Sam Huff: #74 in MLB Pipeline 2020 Top 100; #8 in MLB Pipeline 2020 Top 10 Catchers

Sam Huff, 22, represents the cream of the crop in the Texas Rangers’ organization among catching prospects. The #2 prospect in the Rangers organization per MLB Pipeline, Huff doesn’t fit the prototypical mold of a catcher, but after a breakout 2019 campaign, has emerged as a rising star in the minors. At 6’4″, 230 pounds, Huff looks more apt to play first base or right field than crouching down behind the plate but so far, his large frame hasn’t slowed him down as he cut down 48% of basestealers during the 2019 season.

His glove, while solid, isn’t what excites scouts or fans though. Rather it’s his bat that hit .278 in 127 games last season between Single-A and High-A. He also belted 28 home runs and a .758 OPS across those two levels while being named Futures Game MVP with a 2-run homer late in the game. He’s always going to be strikeout prone with his aggressive approach, going down at nearly a 30% clip every season, but his production when he puts the ball in play should be enough to counteract. The question is whether Texas keeps him at catcher long-term or decides to move him to first base, a less demanding position physically, in hopes of preserving his bat.

David Garcia: #30 in MLB Pipeline 2019 Top 30 Rangers’ Prospects

Garcia finished off last season at #30 in MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 Texas Rangers Prospects and should be much higher up the list when the 2020 organizational ranks release. A switch-hitter, Garcia has made incremental improvements as a hitter in his first three years with the organization. His 2019 numbers with Low-A Spokane were evidence of this hitting .277 with a .786 OPS in 48 games. His value as a prospect comes behind the plate though where he has the potential to be an above average defender both with the glove and his arm. At only 20, he still has plenty of room to grow but it’s unlikely we see him in Arlington for a few years.

Randy Florentino: #24 in MLB Pipeline 2019 Top 30 Rangers’ Prospects

Florentino finished the 2019 season at #24 in MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 Texas Rangers Prospects, the second highest catcher in the system, but likely will be jumped by Garcia in the update rankings later this month. The 19-year old spent most of 2019 in Arizona with the Rangers’ rookie affiliate where he hit .243 with a .682 OPS. He should continue to grow physically as he continues to adapt to pro ball and start to take advantage of his above average arm that should make him a solid defensive catcher.

Other Catching Prospects: Matt Whatley (Spokane), Heriberto Hernandez (Arizona)