This Texas Rangers prospect ranks among the fastest in baseball

MLB Pipeline released their list of fastest players in the minor leagues, and the Texas Rangers are headlined by a youngster from the Bahamas.

Outfielder Zion Bannister signed with the Texas Rangers two years ago for $835,000, and has been one of the most underrated prospects in the farm system.

The switch-hitter out of the Bahamas was shadowed during the international signing period by his fellow top prospects Maximo Acosta and Bayron Lora.

Although he doesn’t rank within the top-30, he does have a lot to offer and could creep his way Into the Rangers’ top prospects.

Bannister’s game is focused around his burners, arguably one of the fastest guys throughout the minor leagues.

MLB Pipeline ranks him as the fastest player within the Texas Rangers’ system, with his fastest time being a 6.3 second 60-yard dash.

Zion Bannister is a speed demon within the Texas Rangers’ minor league ranks.

Bannister’s speed is the name of his game, but the 19-year-old has the potential to develop more power in his game.

Of course, Bannister is only a teenager and has plenty of time to develop and mature physically, his power should roll around in the next two or three years.

His 6’3 frame will definitely allow him to add more muscle, while staying agile enough to man centerfield, but if need be, has the arm and power projection be a solid right fielder.

He has one double in his pro career, but in a very small sample size.

Zion Bannister only played in six games during the 2019 season, splitting time between the DSL Rangers and the AZL Rangers.

Without the 2020 minor league season, Bannister didn’t see the level of professional pitching that he would have if there was a season, losing a quality year of development, but looks to have a full, productive season in 2021.

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He has yet to steal his first professional base, but again, hasn’t had the at-bats to full showcase his talents.

One thing he did show over his 22 at-bats was his ability to get on-base.

He had six hits and two walks over those six games, getting on-base nearly a third of the time, while hitting .273 over those games.

Obviously, Zion Bannister is still a few years away from having a significant impact on the major league club, but there is no doubt in my mind that he has the potential to get there.

Assuming the power in his game develops, I believe that he could end up being a power-hitting version of former MLB outfielder Coco Crisp.

Ranger fans know very well that Crisp was a thorn in our side for a long time, and it would be a pleasant surprise to have someone like him on our side.

With a full minor league season scheduled, I’d assume that he begins the year with the Down East Wood Ducks or at extended spring training.

I project Bannister to have a very successful 2021 season and he will hopefully jump onto the Texas Rangers’ top-30 prospect list by the end of this year. If not, he’ll make it there in 2022 without a doubt.