What a successful year will look like for the Texas Rangers in 2021

A successful Texas Rangers season: Talent development

Speaking of prospects, the Texas Rangers must see growth from their “top tier” guys.

Many around the organization believe that several top prospects would have taken another step in their development, had there been a 2020 minor league season.

Guys like Evan Carter, Justin Foscue, Sherten Apostel, Cole Winn, Anderson Tejeda, Fernery Ozuna and others were all projected to really play a role in boosting the farm system’s ratings.

However, the likes of Hans Crouse, Bubba Thompson and company need to show that they are capable of playing above the Double-A level.

Both have battled their fair share of injuries, but now is the most crucial time in their development to prove if they have big league potential or not.

Crouse has arguably the nastiest stuff in the Rangers’ organization, but has got to stay on the field to be assessed as a starting pitcher.

Bubba Thompson is another guy the Texas Rangers have been very high on, but haven’t seen results.

Of course, the injuries play a factor, but his overall production when he’s healthy hasn’t been great.

He crushed pitching at Hickory in 2018, but when he was promoted to Down East, he couldn’t find a rhythm.

Thompson hit .178 over 57 games with the Wood Ducks in 2019, striking out 72 times in 202 plate appearances. He got on-base at a measly .261 clip and only slugged .312.

Both guys have been invited to Spring Training and are being given a chance to prove themselves against more advanced talent.

In a perfect world, the Texas Rangers would like to see both guys get to Frisco or Round Rock this year based on their performances, but that is very uncertain.

Either way, the Rangers have to see their high-ceiling studs take the next step in their development, and it begins with Crouse and Thompson.