5 prospects the Texas Rangers can afford to trade this year

5 prospects Texas Rangers can afford to trade this year

2. Davis Wendzel

Wendzel can flat-out hit, and he’s even reached AAA Round Rock, more than a lot of the infield prospects ranked ahead of him and behind him in the Rangers system can say.

Unfortunately for Davis, many of those players have higher ceilings. Wendzel was drafted 41st overall in 2019 out of Baylor and has always been regarded as a bat-first prospect, though he is solid with the glove and can play middle infield or third base.

The problem is that a lot of other guys in Texas’ system can claim the same skillset. And Wendzel has not done nearly enough to separate himself from the pack despite his comparative longevity. Of course, it doesn’t help having a whole season taken away like minor leaguers did in 2020.

Circumstances are what they are, though, and it feels as though the Rangers could now trade Davis Wendzel with the depth they have in their system at all the infield positions.

5 prospects Texas Rangers can afford to trade this year

3. Trevor Hauver

Much like Davis Wendzel, Trevor Hauver find himself amidst a glut of infielders in the Texas Rangers farm system.

Hauver was one of the pieces acquired in the Joey Gallo deal with the Yankees last summer, and his inclusion felt more like depth rather than anything really substantial.

The 24-year-old doesn’t have a set position defensively; the Rangers have tried him at both second base and in the outfield. His talent is more evident in his bat, which he grades out positively for his contact skills and plate discipline.

But also like Wendzel, there are others in the farm system that also have that profile such as fellow former Yankees Josh H. Smith and Ezequiel Duran. Those two are much more likely to see Arlington than Trevor Hauver at this point.

It’s less of a slight on Hauver and more of a casualty of depth, but the Rangers might find that Hauver is more valuable as a trade piece this year.

5 prospects Texas Rangers can afford to trade this year

4. Ronny Henriquez

Henriquez may be surprising to see on this list, but consider it a good thing that he’s on it.

That’s because the Texas Rangers have been much better at devoting resources to drafting and developing pitchers over the last few years, namely Cole Winn, Jack Leiter, Owen White, T.K. Roby, Ricky Vanasco and others.

Henriquez has the talent and the stuff (his fastball grades out above average) to make it to the big leagues one day, but in what capacity remains to be seen. His undersized stature could make teams hesitate to have him start games (though not impossible, see Marcus Stroman) due to the fact that he has durability issues. That could destine him for a bullpen role.

The fact is, though, Henriquez is talented. He has the velocity and movement necessary on his pitches to get hitters out. He might not be a future staff ace, but someone’s pitching staff could benefit from having the right-hander. It just may not be the Rangers.

5 prospects Texas Rangers can afford to trade this year

5. Yerry Rodriguez

Rodriguez almost made the big leagues in 2021, reaching AAA Round Rock as part of the organization’s late wave of prospect promotions last September.

It’s very possible Rodriguez has a cup of coffee with the big league club in 2022, but that’s just the thing: a cup of coffee may be all that’s in store for Rodriguez with the Texas Rangers.

The Rangers’ current pitching situation would seem to suggest that Rodriguez will get an opportunity to make the team out of spring training, but what happens once he gets pushed out by better competition down the line?

Much like Henriquez, Rodriguez has the stuff to be successful and has a good delivery to the plate, but he lacks in durability, which clouds his future role as a big league pitcher.

Perhaps another team would be able to generate more out of Rodriguez than the Rangers have to this point.