Texas Rangers: Davis Wendzel has All-Star looks and potential

Former Baylor Bear and Texas Rangers’ top prospect Davis Wendzel’s “show-hair and beard” have drawn comparisons to major league studs.

The Texas Rangers‘ 12th best prospect Davis Wendzel has played in his first two Cactus League games.

Wendzel showed off his defensive versatility in those games by playing shortstop in both of those appearances.

The former Baylor Bear primarily played the hot corner on the banks of the Brazos.

His versatility and ability to be an above-average hitter and baserunner were are very appealing to the Texas Rangers, but with new comparisons, he could become even more intriguing.

Comparisons on his style of play? No, but rather on how Davis Wendzel looks.

Wendzel sports a long, flowing, dirty blonde hair and an extensive copper-colored beard. That’s some mighty impressive flow for a kid only 23-years old.

During the Monday afternoon broadcast of the Rangers and Giants, radio broadcasters Jared Sandler and Matt Hicks mentioned the utility-man’s unique look.

Manager Chris Woodward, the broadcasters said, compared Davis Wendzel‘s look to that of longtime Dodgers’ third bagger, Justin Turner.

Newly-signed outfielder David Dahl compared Wendzel’s flowing locks to that of his former teammate “Chuck Nasty,” or Charlie Blackmon.

Immediately, the wheels got to turning in my head.

Texas Rangers’ prospect Davis Wendzel has All-Star looks and potential!

Like owners and their dogs begin to look alike after a while, what if Davis Wendzel’s look helped match the play of Turner or Blackmon or a combination of both?

Of course, that is a stretch, but imagine how Davis Wendzel could impact the Texas Rangers with Blackmon’s on-base ability and the versatility and pop of Turner.

Pretty incredible, right?

To put it in perspective, Charlie Blackmon has a career .304 batting average and .360 OBP. He is a four-time All-Star with two Silver Sluggers, and finished with MVP votes during the 2016 and 2017 seasons.

Justin Turner is no slouch, either. He has a career .292 batting average, an OBP of .369 and has hit over 120 home runs in his 12-year big league career.

He received MVP votes in three straight season and has appeared in one All-Star game in 2017. Oh, did I mention he just received a World Series ring?

Let’s keep in mind that Wendzel had a pretty successful career at Baylor, including a 2019 Co-Big 12 Player of the Year.

Over his three seasons with the Bears, Wendzel had a .326 average, .449 OBP and .557 slugging percentage. He also sported a .965 fielding percentage.

He accrued 178 hits, 48 doubles, three triples, 24 long balls, 100 walks and 99 strikeouts over 154 games.

Along with a list of very high collegiate accomplishments, both academically and athletically, Davis Wendzel’s career comparison to either of those two guys may not be far off.

I firmly believe the Texas Rangers would gladly take any mix of that production from Wendzel.

Of course, he hasn’t had a full seasons in the minors, yet, but there is no reason to believe that he’ll struggle with the above-average hit tool he possesses.

The one are he could improve in would be the power department, but if he continues to get on-base at close to a 40% clip, I think the Texas Rangers can live with 10-15 home run power.

He is arguably the most interesting prospect within the Texas Rangers’ system, and with a high ceiling and lofty comparisons (even if some are based on looks), Davis Wendzel will look to follow through and be an impact major leaguer in the near future.