Texas Rangers: All eyes on third base entering 2020?

Top Third Base Prospects

If there is a bright spot to the Texas Rangers and third base, it’s that the position is likely the most exciting regarding prospect talent. Texas has a number of potential big league third basemen littered throughout their minor league system with a stout trio leading the way.

Josh Jung: #55 in MLB Pipeline 2020 Top 100 Prospects; #5 in MLB Pipeline 2020 Top 10 Third Basemen

Josh Jung is considered by numerous outlets to be the top prospect in the Rangers organization and will hold that title once again from MLB Pipeline to open the 2020 season. The #8 overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft has plenty of admirers among Rangers fans who hope he is the next superstar in the organization. Jung is renowned for his advanced development and could be a quick riser in the minor league system. He played 44 games last season in the organization, mostly at the Single-A level, and posted a .316 average with an .831 OPS. He has an advanced bat and plus arm which mix well with at least average tools across the board.

Sherten Apostel: #10 in MLB Pipeline’s 2019 Top 30 Rangers’ Prospects

Apostel is a player that is likely to be move up prospect rankings if he continues his strong growth from 2019 into this season. Ranked #55 in the ZiPS Top 100 prospects published by FanGraphs, Apostel is a player with tons of power and a big arm. He is not as polished as Josh Jung but there is reason to believe he might have a higher ceiling than Texas’ top prospect. Whether he remains at third base long-term is yet to be seen but he has the makings of an impact big leaguer. He hit .251 in 121 games last season split between the Single-A and High-A levels racking up 18 doubles and 19 home runs.

Davis Wendzel: #9 in MLB Pipeline’s 2019 Top 30 Rangers’ Prospects

Like Jung, Wendzel was a draft pick of the Rangers in 2019 and he also joined Jung as Co-Big 12 Player of the Year for the 2019 season. The infielder from Baylor has been overshadowed in his introduction to the Texas system because of the high expectations for Jung and emergence of Apostel. However, Wendzel is highly touted within the organization as a player who can make an impact all around the diamond. His introduction to pro ball was limited to just seven games because of an injury but eyes will be on him when he starts the 2020 season.

Other Third Base Prospects: Jonathan Ornelas (Hickory), Diosbel Arias (Down East)