3 more players we’d like to see the Texas Rangers call up in 2021

With the trade deadline and its chaos in the rearview mirror with the calendar turn from July to August, we’ve now reached the point in the Texas Rangers‘ 2021 season where it’s time to start giving young players opportunities.

Out with the old and in with the new, as the saying goes, and that could not be more applicable to the current state of the Rangers.

With Curtis Terry and Joe Barlow promoted to the big leagues in July and Spencer Howard slotted to start Thursday against the Angels, Texas has gradually begun the process of incorporating youngsters into their big league plans this season. This trend should continue on for the rest of 2021.

In that spirit, here are 3 more minor leaguers we’d like to see promoted this season (and no, not Cole Winn or Josh Jung yet).

Yohel Pozo

This MiLB catcher is raking in AAA and he deserves a call-up to the Texas Rangers

Add Yohel Pozo to the growing list of Texas Rangers players who have emerged from out of nowhere to become hidden gems in the pipeline.

Adolis Garcia, Joe Barlow, Curtis Terry, and now Yohel Pozo.

Pozo, 24, is not a top prospect in the organization but is sure playing like one with a .979 OPS in 246 at-bats for AAA Round Rock. Much like Curtis Terry, Pozo is big and strong batting from the right side of the plate.

The catcher was claimed by the Rangers organization from San Diego last December but with the solid organizational depth at catcher with Jonah Heim and Jose Trevino in the bigs and Sam Huff and prospect David Garcia behind them in the minors, Pozo’s path looked blocked.

Now, though, Pozo has seemingly bypassed the latter two and has earned a big league call-up this season. Rather than rush Sam Huff and David Garcia, Texas should give the raking Pozo a chance in the big leagues.

It can’t hurt, right?

Yonny Hernandez

The Texas Rangers could use more table-setters like Hernandez in the big leagues

What do you with a player with a .424 OBP in 192 minor league at-bats? Call him up!

Look, the Texas Rangers’ big league lineup isn’t exactly a juggernaut, so why not add a player who has a knack for getting on base to this group in hopes of creating more scoring opportunities? That’s what Yonny Hernandez can bring to the table.

At 23, Hernandez isn’t a top organizational prospect either, but that’s even better for his chances of making the big leagues because he’s not someone that needs to be relied upon for the future.

Hernandez’ .424 OBP would lead the Rangers right now at the big league level, and his career .394 OBP suggests that he really does have this ability in his skillset.

Not to mention, the infielder hits pretty well, coming in at a solid .747 OPS. That number may not jump off the screen, but that .424 OBP definitely should. Even if Hernandez can simply come up and draw walks or manufacture runs by getting on base, that adds value to this team down the stretch.

Why not?

A.J. Alexy

The No. 24 ranked Texas Rangers prospect by MLB Pipeline was recently promoted to Round Rock

A.J. Alexy is one of the forgotten pieces of the Yu Darvish to the LA Dodgers deal back in 2017 that also brought Willie Calhoun to Arlington. But he should be on our radars now.

After dominating AA Frisco in 2021 to the tune of a 1.61 ERA and 57 K’s in 50.1 innings pitched, the right-hander recently received a promotion to AAA Round Rock. That move at least indicates he’s close to seeing big league action.

Like most pitching prospects, the Rangers are taking things slow with Alexy, as they hope he can be a future contributor on the staff. But if he pitches anywhere near the level he did in Frisco at Round Rock, he should be a surefire call-up candidate in 2021.

Texas is going to need the innings at the big league level over these last two months and Alexy has earned the chance to acquit himself in the show.  Whether out of the bullpen or in the rotation, the Rangers have someone in Alexy who can be an innings eater with legitimate upside as well.

Honorable mentions: RHP Yerry Rodriguez, RHP Nick Snyder, 1B/3B Sherten Apostel