Texas Rangers: Ranking the position player prospects

#2: Josh Jung-3B

• Draft: 2019, Texas Rangers, Round 1, #8 Overall
• Age: 23
• 2021 MILB Teams: AA/AAA
• GP: 78
• HR: 19
• RBI: 61
• SB: 2
• AVG: .326

Josh Jung is the closest position player that will have an impact at the MLB level for the Rangers next year.  Jung sustained an injury in Spring Training and it slowed his development until he was reinstated to the AA lineup in June.  In 122 career MILB games, Jung has compiled a .322 AVG, 21 HR, 89 RBI, and a .394 OBP.  Jung should be the starting 3B for the Rangers on Opening Day in 2022.

#3: Yohel Pozo-C

• Free Agent: 2013, Texas Rangers, Venezuela
• Age: 24
• 2021 MILB Teams: AAA
• GP: 77
• HR: 23
• RBI: 74
• SB: 0
• AVG: .337

Yohel Pozo got a taste of the major leagues with the Rangers in 2021.  Pozo primarily played DH for the Rangers during a 21 game promotion in August/September.  Pozo compiled a .284 AVG, one HR and nine RBI’s playing for Texas.  He showed that he can hit at the major league level and will push for a spot on the Opening Day roster for the Rangers in 2022.

#4: Josh H. Smith-2B

• Draft: 2019, NY Yankees, Round 2, #67 Overall
• Age: 24
• 2021 MILB Teams: A/A+/AA
• GP: 78
• HR: 13
• RBI: 41
• SB: 26
• AVG: .309

Josh H. Smith was acquired in the Joey Gallo trade with the Yankees.  Smith played on four teams over three levels in 2021.  In his MILB career, Smith has played 111 games, and compiled a .313 AVG, 16 HR, 56 RBI, and a .435 OBP.  Smith will likely start at AA in 2022 but, will continue to move through the organization quickly and should make it to AAA by the send half of next season.  If Smith continues to develop, he will likely make his debut with the Rangers in 2023.

#5: Blaine Crim-1B

• 2019, Texas Rangers, Round 19, #565 Overall
• Age: 24
• 2021 MILB Teams: A+/AA
• GP: 108
• HR: 29
• RBI: 80
• SB: 1
• AVG: .296

Blaine Crim continued to show the power that made him a Rangers draft pick in 2019.  Crim has been rapidly moving through the Rangers organization.  In 163 career MILB games, Crim has compiled a .314 AVG, 37 HR, 128 RBI, and a .377 OBP.  Crim should start 2022 at the AA level and will likely move up to AAA by the end of the year.  If Crim continues to hit, he should make his debut in Texas at some point during the 2023 season.

#6: Ezequiel Duran-2B

• Free Agent: 2017, NY Yankees, Dominican Republic
• Age: 22
• 2021 MILB Teams: A+
• GP: 105
• HR: 19
• RBI: 79
• SB: 19
• AVG: .267

Ezequiel Duran was another player that Texas acquired in the Joey Gallo trade.  Despite only being 22, Duran has now completed four partial seasons of MILB.  In 239 career games, Duran has a .257 AVG, 39 HR, 147 RBI, and a .323 OBP.  Duran has been playing exceptionally well in the Arizona Fall League and should make the jump to AA in 2022.

#7: Luisangel Acuna-SS

• Free Agent: 2018, Texas Rangers, Venezuela
• Age: 19
• 2021 MILB Teams: A
• GP: 111
• HR: 12
• RBI: 74
• SB: 44
• AVG: .266

Luisangel Acuna was recently selected as the Minor League Defender of the Year in the Rangers organization.  Acuna just finished his rookie season at the A level of the Rangers organization.  With his speed, power, and ability to hit for contact, Acuna should move quickly through the Rangers organization.  Acuna should move up to the A+ level of the Rangers organization in 2022.

#8: Jayce Easley-OF

• Draft: 2018, Texas Rangers, Round 5, #149 Overall
• Age: 22
• 2021 MILB Teams: A
• GP: 98
• HR: 1
• RBI: 28
• SB: 70
• AVG: .244

Jayce Easley was originally drafted by Texas to play 2B.  In 2021, the Rangers moved him to CF and he led all MILB players with 70 SB.  In 144 career games over parts of three seasons, Easley has stolen 92 bases.  For his career, Easley does not hit for power or for average but, his keen eye at the plate has allowed him to compile a .399 OBP.  Easley should move up to the A+ level in the Rangers organization in 2022.

#9: Daniel Mateo-OF

• Free Agent: 2019, Texas Rangers, Dominican Republic
• Age: 20
• 2021 MILB Teams: ROK/A
• GP: 51
• HR: 3
• RBI: 29
• SB: 19
• AVG: .288

Daniel Mateo needs more experience in MILB but, he he has showed contact and speed on the bases in limited playing time.  Over two seasons, Mateo has played 92 games, and compiled a .290 AVG, 53 RBI and 33 SB.  Mateo will likely start 2022 back in A but could move to A+ before the end of 2022.

#10: Josh Stowers-OF

• Draft: 2018, Seattle Mariners, Round 2, #54 Overall
• Age: 24
• 2021 MILB Teams: AA
• GP: 89
• HR: 20
• RBI: 57
• SB: 21
• AVG: .220

Josh Stowers was acquired from the NY Yankees in a pre-season deal for Roughned Odor.  In parts of three MILB seasons, Stowers has played 252 games and compiled a .252 AVG, 32 HR, 125 RBI, and 76 SB.  Stowers showed power and speed in 2021, his 1st in the Rangers organization but, he needs to improve his AVG and OBP if he is going to move up the Rangers organizational ladder.  Stowers will likely start 2022 back in AA and if he continues to develop as a hitter, could move up to AAA at some point during the season.

Texas Rangers Position Player Prospect Rankings: Honorable Mention

Aaron Zavala-OF

• Draft: 2021, Texas Rangers, Round 2, #38 Overall
• Age: 21
• 2021 MILB Teams: ROK/A
• GP: 22
• HR: 1
• RBI: 9
• SB: 9
• AVG: .293

Aaron Zavala was a recent high draft pick of the Rangers.  He needs experience but, has the potential to move through the Rangers organization at a rapid rate.  Zavala will likely start the season back in A ball but, could reach A+ at some point during 2022.

Justin Foscue-2B

• Draft: 2020, Texas Rangers, Round 1, #14 Overall
• Age: 22
• 2021 MILB Teams: ROK/A/AA
• GP: 26
• HR: 2
• RBI: 13
• SB: 0
• AVG: .247

Justin Foscue played at three different levels of MILB in 2021.  Foscue has a very high ceiling and will likely start the season back in AA to start and could see time in Texas as a September call-up when the rosters expand.

Domingo Leyba-2B

• Free Agent: 2012, Detroit Tigers, Dominican Republic
• Age: 26
• 2021 MILB Teams: AAA
• GP: 50
• HR: 13
• RBI: 60
• SB: 1
• AVG: .313

Domingo Leyba was a surprise after being acquired as a free agent signing.  Leyba has played in  eight seasons of MILB so, its difficult to call him a prospect but, his numbers in 2021 were terrific.  In 646 career games, Leyba has compiled a .289 AVG, 59 HR, 345 RBI, and 43 SB.  Leyba may be blocked by higher profile Rangers prospects but, there is no doubt, driving in more runs than games played has made scouts drool at the prospect of a MLB contract.  He also only had two errors while playing multiple infield positions so, he could be an option as a utility infielder for the Rangers.

Sam Huff-C/1B

• Draft: 2016, Texas Rangers, Round 7, #219 Overall
• Age: 23
• 2021 MILB Teams: ROK/AA/AAA
• GP: 61
• HR: 16
• RBI: 36
• SB: 0
• AVG: .246

An injury during Spring Training in 2021 derailed Sam Huff from having any chance to play for the Rangers in 2021.  In 2020, when the MILB seasons were canceled, Huff played played in 10 games for Texas.  He was primarily a 1B/DH option in 2021 and was playing catchup all season because of the hamstring injury.

The Rangers still view Huff as the catcher of the future but, he needs to be healthy in 2022 to have any chance of making the Rangers.  For his MILB career, Huff has played 383 games over five partial seasons and he has compiled a .261 AVG, 72 HR and 211 RBI.  If Huff has a terrific Spring Training, he could be an option at multiple positions for the Rangers next year.