The Texas Rangers need to add these Rule 5 eligible prospects

LHP Cole Ragans

This lefty was one of the Texas Rangers’ 2021 Futures Game representatives

The Texas Rangers drafted Ragans in the first round of the 2016 draft, but has missed three seasons (2018-2020) recovering from Tommy John surgery.

The 23-year old left-hander is having a nice rebound season in 2021, splitting time between Hickory and Frisco.

In 13 games (12 starts) this season, he is pitching to the tune of a 3.71 ERA over 53.1 innings. He has struck out 64 so far this season, and currently has a 1.22 WHIP.

That was good enough to get a spot on the All Star Future’s roster this season, as well.

He has top-of-the-rotation talent, and I believe the Rangers shouldn’t hesitate to add him to the 40-man roster.

The other option is risking him getting taken, and hoping teams view him like they did Alex Speas last offseason, injury prone and has control issues.

LHP Jake Latz

Arguably, Latz has the most compelling case to be added to the 40-man roster out of all the Rangers’ prospects.

Rumor has it that Latz has recently been promoted to Round Rock after a solid showing at Frisco this season.

Over 15 games this season, Latz has gone 1-1 with a 4.69 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP.

Although those are not eye-popping numbers, he has a career 3.50 MiLB ERA with a 1.18 WHIP, including 230 strikeouts.

His best season was in 2019, splitting time between Hickory and Down East, sporting a 1.62 ERA over 13 games started and dominating the lower levels of the minor leagues.

If he has been promoted to Round Rock, I firmly believe he could not only get added to 40-man this offseason, but could see time in Arlington this season.

RHP Ronny Henriquez

RHP Ronny Henriquez

Henriquez isn’t the biggest guy in the Texas Rangers’ system, standing at 5’10 and 155 lbs, but has some of the best raw stuff in the system.

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Before being promoted to Frisco this season, he held opposing hitters to a .153 BAA. Now in Double-A, he is 3-2 with a 4.95 ERA.

He’s a must for me because even though he is small, he pitches like Randy Johnson, much bigger than he is.

He’s got a good fastball, harder than most, and a tight slider to pair with it, but sometimes they end up catching to much of the plate.

He’s definitely a lock, and could be a staple in the Texas rotation around 2023.

RHP’s Cole Uvila and Nick Snyder

The Rangers have a surplus of hard-throwing right-handed relievers in their system, but Uvila and  Snyder are definitely big league impact arms.

Uvila, as we documented before, is a spin-rate monster, and has the nastiest breaking ball across the Rangers’ minor league system.

He was recently promoted to Round Rock after posting a 3.27 ERA in 2021, with a career MiLB ERA of 2.30.

Don’t be surprised if we see him in Arlington within the next few weeks.

Snyder, on the other hand, has flown under the radar for the most part, but possesses a triple-digit fastball and hard slider. Definitely has big league closer written all over him.

He has been outstanding this season, pitching to a 1.82 ERA over 24 games this season, making some of the game’s best products look foolish.

These are two relievers to have on your radar at the end of this season, and during the roster crunch decision.

Other Rule 5 Eligible Pitchers to Consider: RHP Huever Bueno, RHP Alex Speas, RHP Glen Otto, RHP Tai Tiedemann, RHP Ricky Vanasco

2B Ezequiel Duran

One of the key pieces acquired by the Texas Rangers in the Joey Gallo trade

Duran is a grade-A, pure hitter who will be Rule 5 eligible this offseason.

Between the Yankees’ and Rangers’ organizations, the slugging infielder has a .286 average with 13 homers and 13 stolen bases, as well.

He currently sits at the Rangers’ 8th best prospect, and is projected to be up in 2023, right as Texas is expected to get back into contention.

If his bat is true, he could a Gleyber Torres-type player that slots nicely into the second base job for the Rangers.

Andy Ibáñez and Nick Solak will have something to say about that, though, but a little friendly competition never hurt anyone, right?

OF Bubba Thompson

A career hampered by injuries, Bubba has finally broken out and is showing why the Rangers’ loved him so much.

https://twitter.com/RidersBaseball/status/1423085644918710280?s=20

A .271 batting average with 11 homers so far with Frisco is not only eye opening for Texas, but for the other 29 big league clubs, as well.

He’s doing everything right in Frisco, and has earned a right to fight for a 40-man roster spot this offseason.

Plus, just imagine an outfield of El Bombi, Leody Taveras and Bubba Thompson with Eli White being the utility-man.

That is arguably one of the most athletic outfields the Rangers have ever run out on the field.

Other Rule 5 Eligible Position Players to Consider: INF Ryan Dorow, INF Chris Seise, OF Steele Walker, OF J.P. Martinez