Texas Rangers Prospects: The little brother of a big league star

This prospect with a famous last name has a shot to follow directly in his older brother’s footsteps.

The Texas Rangers seem to love to having pairs of brothers in their system.

From Tommie Aaron to Bobby Bonds Jr. and from Erold Andrus to Juremi Profar, the Rangers organization could be called a family affair.

Even two of Rougned Odor’s have played in the Texas Rangers system at one point.

While none of the above ever developed into the players they could have been, Ronald Acuna Jr.’s little brother has the potential to be a big league star.

Keep an eye on Texas Rangers’ prospect Luisangel Acuna.

Luisangel Acuna mashes baseball, much like his older brother who tears up the National League on a yearly basis.

The younger Acuna was a 2018 international free agent signee by the Texas Rangers, beginning his professional career just as his brother was beginning his Rookie of the Year campaign in Atlanta.

The 5’8 Luisangel Acuna is an incredible talent, but because of his rough track record and smaller size, was generally overlooked.

In his first professional season playing in the Dominican Summer League, the young middle-infielder hit .342/.438/.455 and finished among the league leaders in batting average, on-base percentage, stolen bases, runs scored and walks.

Keep in mind, he finished in the top 20 of a 45 team league. He faced a lot of competition, but proved he was one of the elites in the DSL.

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Even without the 2020 minor league season, Luisangel Acuna finished in at least one Baseball America top-150 prospects list.

The younger Acuna went from being an unknown prospect to a top 20 prospect in the Texas Rangers’ system in 2020, with no doubts he will jump even higher this season.

The Rangers sent Acuna to their Fall Instructs this season, where he hit .293, but lacked in the power department.

However, his best exit velocity during the Instructs was 109.6 mph, so there shouldn’t be much to worry about in that department.

He has gotten high praise from his older brother, as well.

One Acuna brother could don a Texas Rangers uniform soon.

Acuna Jr. has a career .538 slugging percentage and says that Luisangel hits the ball with more authority than he did at his age.

Something to note as well is the fact that Ronald Acuna Jr. reached Triple-A at the age of 19, which will be the same age that younger brother Luisangel will play at during the 2021 season.

If Acuna family history repeats itself for the Texas Rangers, they could have another Acuna knocking at the big league door before the 2021 season ends.

Some may say that his 5’8 frame will never produce at a high level in the major leagues, but pro comps Jose Ramirez and Ozzie Albies are around the same height and each possess .800 career OPS figures, an encouraging development for the young Acuna.

Additionally, he sits atop a deep class of top middle-infield prospects that the Texas Rangers have, and could very well outshine them all in the long run.

With the limited minor league affiliates, Luisangel Acuna will probably start at Low-A Down East and take on his biggest professional adjustment yet.

Remember that keyword “yet,” because the younger Acuna could be on the rise very quickly.