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Texas Rangers: 3 underrated prospects to keep an eye on this season

By Seth Carlson |
ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 28: A general view as Dennis Santana #56 of the Texas Rangers pitches against Christian Walker #53 of the Arizona Diamondbacks during the ninth inning at Globe Life Field on July 28, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 28: A general view as Dennis Santana #56 of the Texas Rangers pitches against Christian Walker #53 of the Arizona Diamondbacks during the ninth inning at Globe Life Field on July 28, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TX – JULY 28: A general view as Dennis Santana #56 of the Texas Rangers pitches against Christian Walker #53 of the Arizona Diamondbacks during the ninth inning at Globe Life Field on July 28, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – JULY 28: A general view as Dennis Santana #56 of the Texas Rangers pitches against Christian Walker #53 of the Arizona Diamondbacks during the ninth inning at Globe Life Field on July 28, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /

Oftentimes, we judge the Texas Rangers‘ farm system or any team’s system based on a top-30 prospect list. It’s easily accessible and convenient and gives us a rundown of the supposed “top” talent in the minors for a the team.

But lists are subjective, and rankings vary widely across different platforms. One thing you’ll notice about this list, though: you won’t find these names across different iterations of a Texas Rangers top prospect list for 2021. That doesn’t make these players less talented or intriguing to watch over the next few months and years, though.

The depth of the Rangers’ system is lauded across baseball, and it’s time to show that off a bit. With that, here are 3 underrated prospects we suggest keeping an eye on the rest of the season.

Texas Rangers underrated prospects: 1B/3B Dustin Harris

An 11th round draft pick by the Oakland A’s in 2019, Harris was dealt to the Rangers as part of the Mike Minor trade in 2020.

Not a well-known prospect, that hasn’t stopped the infielder from raking in both Low-A Down East and High-A Hickory, with a combined .316/.392/.899 triple slash in 294 at-bats. He also has 12 home runs and 22 steals on the season.

With that kind of athleticism, MLB.com believes he has what it takes to handle any of the four corner positions of first base, third base, left field and right field.

We were wondering if Texas received enough in return for Mike Minor after trading him to division rival Oakland in 2020, and I think it’s safe to say with the way Dustin Harris is playing in the minors, the answer is yes.

Look for him to graduate to some top prospect lists as others receive promotions to the big leagues.

(Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /

Texas Rangers underrated prospects: RHP Zak Kent

A recent recipient of a minor league promotion to Double-A Frisco, RHP Zak Kent is having a fabulous 2021 season for the Texas Rangers.

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Drafted in the same year as Dustin Harris, Kent was selected in the 9th round by the Texas Rangers in 2019 out of the Virginia Military Institute. And also like Harris, Kent is not listed as a top organizational prospect at the moment, but that’s not stopping him from having a great season as well.

In 60.1 minor league innings and 9 games started for Hickory prior to his aforementioned promotion, Kent posted a 2.83 ERA and 78 strikeouts along with a 1.01 WHIP, which makes it easy to see why the Rangers liked him enough to move him up to AA.

Kent also reportedly has “some of the best stuff” that Texas scouts have seen this year, and while he won’t get the same level of recognition as Jack Leiter or Cole Winn, he’s worth watching as the season progresses.

(Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /

Texas Rangers underrated prospects: INF Thomas Saggese

You might remember the Texas Rangers’ 2020 draft class for the selection of the red-hot Justin Foscue in the first round. But don’t sleep on fellow 2020 Rangers draftee Thomas Saggese.

Selected in the fifth round last year, Saggese has nine homers in 161 at-bats along with a .378 OBP and .900 OPS at Low-A Down East.

On a team with Ronald Acuna Jr.’s brother Luisangel, it can definitely be easy to overlook Saggese, who’s just 19 years of age. He, like the other two names on this list, is also unranked on many Rangers top prospect list. That shouldn’t take away from his potential, however.

In a shortened 2020 draft, it should say something that Texas was willing to spend one of its draft picks on the Carlsbad, CA product and he has a chance to reward the organization for taking a chance on him.

Next. Justin Foscue is tearing up the minor leagues. dark

The Rangers also have quite a bit of depth in regards to infield prospects, but especially middle infielders. Luckily for Saggese, he’s beginning to separate himself from the pack.

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