Ranking the pitching prospects in the Texas Rangers organization

The Texas Rangers have been stockpiling pitching prospects through the draft and by trading away impending free agents.

By using 2021 stats, I am going to give you my rankings of the Top 10 pitching prospects in the Texas Rangers Organization.

Pitchers who did not pitch in 2021 will NOT be included in these rankings.  What does this mean?  Top prospect, Jack Leiter, did not pitch at any professional level in 2021 and therefore will not be in my rankings until he proves himself at the professional level.

Here are my Top 10 pitching prospects, based on 2021 MILB stats. (All stats are from www.milb.com)

Ranking the the pitching prospects in the Texas Rangers organization

#1: Cole Winn

Draft: 2018, Texas Rangers, Round 1, #15 Overall

• Age: 21
• 2021 MILB Teams: AA/AAA
• GP: 21
• GS: 21
• W-L: 4-3
• IP: 86.0
• H: 43
• ER: 23
• BB: 31
• SO: 107
• ERA: 2.41

Cole Winn is on the fast track to Arlington.  He recently completed his second year of MILB baseball and made it all the way to AAA.  Winn also earned the 2021 Nolan Ryan Pitcher of the Year Award, awarded to the organization’s top minor league starting pitcher.

For his MILB career, Winn has started 39 games and has an 8-7 record to go along with a 3.32 ERA and 172 SO in 154.2 innings.

Winn will likely start the year at AAA but, will likely make his debut in Texas at some point in 2022.

Texas Rangers Pitching Prospect Rankings: #2 A.J. Alexy

• Draft: 2016, LA Dodgers, Round 11, #341 Overall
• Age: 23
• 2021 MILB Teams: AA/AAA
• GP: 16
• GS: 10
• W-L: 3-1
• IP: 65.0
• H: 39
• ER: 12
• BB: 27
• SO: 76
• ERA: 1.66

A.J. Alexy just finished his 5th season pitching in the Rangers organization.  For his MILB career, Alexy has started 62 games and compiled a 13-19 record to go along with a 3.30 ERA and 362 SO in 300.1 innings.

Alexy was recalled to Texas at the end of August and started four games for the Rangers.  He had a 3-1 record to go along with a 4.70 ERA for Texas.

There is a real possibility that Alexy will start the 2022 season on the Opening Day roster of the Rangers.

Texas Rangers Pitching Prospect Rankings: #3 Owen White

• Draft: 2018, Texas Rangers, Round 2, #55 Overall
• Age: 22
• 2021 MILB Teams: A
• GP: 9
• GS: 8
• W-L: 4-1
• IP: 33.1
• H: 26
• ER: 12
• BB: 12
• SO: 56
• ERA: 3.06

Owen White just completed his first season of professional baseball in the Texas organization.  In 2019, he missed the entire season after Tommy John surgery and 2020 can canceled due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

White pitched three games in the Arizona Fall League and was fantastic.  In three starts, White went 3-0 with a 1.20 ERA in 15.0 innings.  White was also selected as the AFL Pitcher of the Week.

White will likely start for Hickory in the A+ league or he may go directly to Frisco (AA).  Either way, White has been making some noise as he tries to establish himself in professional baseball.

Texas Rangers Pitching Prospect Rankings: #4 Nick Snyder

• Draft: 2017, Texas Rangers, Round 19, #584 Overall
• Age: 26
• 2021 MILB Teams: A+/AA/AAA
• GP: 28
• GS: 0
• W-L: 1-1
• IP: 33.0
• H: 23
• ER: 9
• BB: 5
• SO: 47
• ERA: 2.45

Nick Snyder moved through the Rangers organization faster than any other pitcher in 2021.  He started the year in Hickory (A+), was promoted to Frisco (AA) in June, promoted to Round Rock (AAA) in August, and then made his Rangers debut at the end of August.  Snyder was placed on the 10-day then 60-day injury list with should fatigue in September.

For his efforts, Snyder was selected as Minor League Reliever of the Year for the Texas organization.

If he is healthy, Snyder will likely start the year playing in either AAA or with Texas.

Texas Rangers Pitching Prospect Rankings: #5 Tekoah Roby

• Draft: 2020, Texas Rangers, Round 3, #86 Overall
• Age: 20
• 2021 MILB Teams: A
• GP: 6
• GS: 6
• W-L: 2-2
• IP: 22.0
• H: 14
• ER: 6
• BB: 7
• SO: 35
• ERA: 2.45

Tekoah Roby has been a pleasant surprise for the Rangers organization this year.  Roby made his professional debut starting six games for Down East (A).  He has continued his dominance in the Fall Instructional League.

Roby needs to build up arm strength before he can move up a level.  The Rangers are going to be careful with Roby and he will likely start 2022 back at Down East, at least to start the year.  If all goes well, Roby should make it to Hickory (A+) by the All-Star break.

Texas Rangers Pitching Prospect Rankings: #6 Eudrys Manon

• Free Agent: Dominican Republic
• Age: 23
• 2021 MILB Teams: ROK/A
• GP: 20
• GS: 0
• W-L: 4-0
• IP: 28.0
• H: 13
• ER: 9
• BB: 18
• SO: 42
• ERA: 2.89

The Rangers are being careful with the slender Eudrys Manon.  In 2019, Manon pitched in the DSL and was average, when he had a 3.97 ERA in 22.2 innings.  In 2021, Manon was excellent coming out of the bullpen for Down East (A).

Manon will likely remain at Down East to start the season and move to Hickory (A+) if he remains dominant at the A level.

Texas Rangers Pitching Prospect Rankings #7 Florencio Serrano

• Free Agent Signing in 2019
• Age: 21
• 2021 MILB Teams: A
• GP: 9
• GS: 5
• W-L: 3-0
• IP: 28.1
• H: 21
• ER: 4
• BB: 8
• SO: 29
• ERA: 1.27

A free agent signing out of Texas High School, Florencio Serrano has dominated at almost every level.  In 2019, Serrano did have difficulty as a 19-year old professional.  In 2021, Serrano was outstanding.

Serrano looks like he will be a middle-reliever at the higher levels.  He will likely stay in A ball and possibly move to A+ as the season progresses in 2022.

Texas Rangers Pitching Prospect Rankings: #9 Juan Mejia

• Free Agent: Dominican Republic
• Age: 22
• 2021 MILB Teams: ROK/A+/AA
• GP: 11
• GS: 0
• W-L: 2-2
• IP: 21.2
• H: 13
• ER: 5
• BB: 7
• SO: 26
• ERA: 2.08

Juan Mejia just completed his 4th season pitching in the Rangers organization.  Mejia was originally a free agent signing in 2016.

Mejia spent two seasons in the DSL before moving into Rookie Ball in 2019.  Mejia has been quite effective at every level and should start 2022 in AA with Frisco.

Texas Rangers Pitching Prospect Rankings: #10 Josh Smith

• Draft: 2018, Texas Rangers, Round 25, #749 Overall
• Age: 24
• 2021 MILB Teams: A/A+
• GP: 27
• GS: 0
• W-L: 1-1
• IP: 43.2
• H: 43
• ER: 10
• BB: 15
• SO: 49
• ERA: 2.06

Josh Smith just finished his second season in the Rangers organization.  In 2019, Smith pitched fairly well in the Rookie Leagues.  In 2021, Smith was excellent out of the bullpen at both levels he pitched.

At 24, Smith may need some extra time at A+ but should move quickly through the remainder of the Rangers organization.

Texas Rangers Pitching Prospect Rankings: Honorable Mentions

Jack Leiter pitched 110.0 innings at Vanderbilt (NCAA) before he was selected 2nd overall in the 2021 draft.  He had 179 SO’s in 2021.  Leiter and the Rangers decided that Leiter would go back to school and play his first professional games in the Rangers organization in 2022.  It has yet to be determined what level Leiter will begin his professional career.  One thing is certain, Leiter should move quickly through the organization and possibly make his MLB debut by 2023.

Ricky Vanasco was drafted in the 15th round by Texas in 2017.  Prior to 2020, Vanasco pitched parts of three seasons in the lower levels of the Rangers organization.  In 14 starts and 28 games pitched, Vanasco has compiled a 2.38 ERA, 116 SO’s in 83.1 innings.  The Covid-19 pandemic and injury cost Vanasco two seasons of pitching.  When he is healthy again, the Rangers will take their time with him and probably have him begin at A ball before moving him up to play against higher competition.

Dane Acker was obtained in the Elvis Andrus trade with Oakland.  He was originally drafted by Oakland in the 4th round in 2020.  He started two games at Down East (A) in 2021 and only pitched 6.1 innings.  He did have 11 SO’s and only one BB, with a 2.84 ERA.  If he is healthy in 2022, Acker will likely start the year for Down East.