Rangers: Three Rule 5 draft prospects team should consider
By Ethan Worley
![Dec 14, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; A general view of the Rule 5 Draft during the MLB winter meetings at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports Dec 14, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; A general view of the Rule 5 Draft during the MLB winter meetings at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fnolanwritin-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2018-2F08-2F10478898-850x560-bae49dafec3e6a53651e4f2e53b4ffc5.jpg)
2) Omar Estevez
Omar Estevez is a 22-year old 2B/SS in the LA Dodgers organization. Estevez is also among those expected be selected on Thursday. The Rangers have the second overall pick in the Rule 5 draft, and if they want Estevez, they will probably need to use an early pick to select him.
Internally, the Dodgers are expecting Omar Estevez will be selected in the Rule 5 draft Thursday. https://t.co/MAazeYq2VP
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) December 6, 2020
Estevez rose up the minor league ranks quickly. He debuted in the Dodgers minor league system at just 18 years old, jumping right into A-ball.
After spending the 2016 season in A-ball, Estevez played at High-A in 2017 and 2018. He spent all of 2019 in Double-A, except for a brief rehab stint in the Arizona League, hitting an impressive .291/.352/.431 that season.
His ability to hit for contact is needed in the Rangers lineup after they were 29th in batting average in 2020 with a .217 team batting average and a suspect .648 team OPS.
While Isiah Kiner-Falefa is expected to handle primary shortstop duties next year, second base could be a wide open competition after Rougned Odor put up a career-worst .623 OPS and a -0.8 bWAR in 2020.
Omar Estevez could be worth the gamble to help solve the Rangers’ woes at second base.