10 Texas Rangers prospects who could make their MLB debut in 2022

Prior to the 2021 season, the Texas Rangers farm system was ranked 21st out of all MLB teams.  After drafting RHP Jack Leiter and making key trades prior to the trade deadline, the Rangers farm system moved up 10 spots and now rank 11th going into Spring Training.  Several of the Top 30 Rangers prospects are knocking at the door and will possibly make their MLB debut’s in 2022.

Here is a list of 10 Texas prospects that will most likely play some games for the Rangers in 2022. (all rankings are listed on MLB.com)

10 Texas Rangers prospects who could debut in 2022- Josh Jung

Draft: 2019, 1st round, 8th Overall to Texas Rangers

2021 Stats:

Teams: AA/AAA (2 teams)

G: 78

AB: 304

OBP: .398

SLG: .592

R: 54

H: 99

2B: 22

3B: 1

HR: 19

RBI: 61

BB: 31

SO: 76

SB: 2

AVG: .326

Josh Jung is currently the #2 prospect in the Texas organization behind 2021 #1 pick Jack Leiter.  Jung is the most likely prospect to crack the Rangers Opening Day Roster.  If the Rangers trade Isiah Kiner-Falefa prior to the start of the season, 3B is almost a guarantee for Jung.  In 2020, Kiner-Falefa won a Gold Glove at 3B so, he currently has the inside track.  If Jung starts the season at AAA, he will undoubtedly be called up as an injury replacement or a post-trade deadline addition to the Rangers infield.  Worst case scenario, Jung is a September callup when rosters expand.

#2- Cole Winn-RHP

Draft: 2018, 1st round, 15th Overall to Texas Rangers

2021 Stats:

Teams: AA/AAA (2 teams)

W-L: 4-3

ERA: 2.41

G/GS: 21/21

IP: 86.0

H: 43

HR: 7

BB: 31

SO:107

AVG: .146

WHIP: 0.86

Cole Winn is currently the #3 prospect and the #2 pitching prospect in the Texas Organization.  Winn missed his second season of professional baseball due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Rangers were careful of Winn in 2021 as he logged only 86.0 innings.  In his two professional seasons, Winn has pitched a total of 154.2 innings.  Winn will likely start the season at AAA and should have an increased workload in 2022.  For now, Winn is insurance for the Rangers starting rotation.  Expect Winn to get some starts throughout the 2022 season, especially once the rosters expand in September.

#3- Josh H. Smith-SS

Draft: 2019, 2nd round, 67th Overall to NY Yankees

2021 Stats:

Teams: A/A/AA (4 teams)

G: 78

AB: 288

OBP: .429

SLG: .535

R: 66

H: 89

2B: 20

3B: 3

HR: 13

RBI: 41

BB: 43

SO: 62

SB: 26

AVG: .309

Josh H. Smith is currently the #6 prospect in the Texas organization.  Smith was one of the players traded to the Rangers as part of the Joey Gallo trade.  Smith is currently blocked by several high profile infielders in Texas.  Smith will likely start the year at either AA or AAA in 2022.  Smith can play multiple infield positions and if he makes the Rangers in the next few years, it will likely be in an utility role.  For now, Smith is excellent depth at the middle-infield positions.

#4- Davis Wendzel-3B

Draft: 2019, CB-A, 41st Overall to Texas Rangers

2021 Stats:

Teams: ROK/AA/AAA (3 teams)

G: 63

AB: 223

OBP: .346

SLG: .399

R: 40

H: 53

2B: 10

3B: 1

HR: 8

RBI: 32

BB: 28

SO: 61

SB: 1

AVG: .238

Davis Wendzel is currently the #11 prospect in the Texas organization.  Wendzel can play multiple infield and outfield positions.  Wendzel has only played 70 professional games since being drafted.  Wendzel will start the season playing SS at AAA and will likely be a September call-up once the rosters expand.

#6- Steele Walker-OF

Draft: 2018, 2nd round, 46th Overall to Chicago White Sox

2021 Stats:

Teams: AA/AAA (2 teams)

G: 111

AB: 423

OBP: .308

SLG: .400

R: 61

H: 102

2B: 18

3B: 2

HR: 15

RBI: 61

BB: 38

SO: 91

SB: 10

AVG: .241

Steele Walker is currently the #20 prospect in the Texas organization.  Walker was traded to Texas as part of the Nomar Mazara trade after the 2019 season.  Walker has played 275 professional games since he was drafted.  Walker is limited to playing the outfield but, could find a spot in the Rangers outfield in the not-to-distant future.  Walker will likely start the year in AAA and could find his way to Texas as an injury replacement or a roster addition in September.

#7- Yerry Rodriguez-RHP

Draft: 2015, International Signing, Dominican Republic

2021 Stats:

Teams: AA/AAA (2 teams)

W-L: 4-4

ERA: 4.63

G/GS: 27/18

IP: 81.2

H: 75

HR: 8

BB: 33

SO: 100

AVG: .243

WHIP: 1.13

Yerry Rodriguez is currently the #22 prospect in the Texas organization.  Rodriguez has pitched parts of five seasons in the Rangers organization.  Although he has been primarily used as a starter, Rodriguez was moved to the bullpen when he experienced difficulty at AAA last year.  Rodriguez will start the year at AAA and could easily be used as a starter or in relief if the Rangers experience injuries to their pitching staff in 2022.

#8- Bubba Thompson-OF

Draft: 2017, 1st round, 26th Overall to Texas Rangers

2021 Stats:

Teams: AA (1 team)

G: 104

AB: 429

OBP: .325

SLG: .483

R: 73

H: 118

2B: 23

3B: 9

HR: 16

RBI: 52

BB: 29

SO: 121

SB: 25

AVG: .275

Bubba Thompson is currently the #26 prospect in the Rangers organization.  Thompson is widely recognized as the best athlete in the Texas minor leagues.  Thompson has played 275 games since he was drafted and is limited to playing the OF.  Thompson had his best professional season in 2021.  He will likely start the year in AAA and could see action in Texas before the end of 2022.

#9- Justin Foscue- 2B

Draft: 2020, 1st round, 14th Overall to Texas Rangers

2021 Stats:

Teams: ROK/A+/AA (3 teams)

G: 62

AB: 229

OBP: .371

SLG: .590

R: 52

H: 63

2B: 19

3B: 1

HR: 17

RBI: 51

BB: 25

SO: 72

SB: 2

AVG: .275

Justin Foscue is currently the #4 prospect in the Texas organization.  Foscue is quite raw as a professional as he has only played 62 games at the professional level.  Foscue will likely start the season at AA but, should make it to AAA by mid-season.  A September call-up is not out of the question for the talented infielder.

#10- Cole Ragans- LHP

Draft: 2016, 1st round, 30th Overall to Texas Rangers

2021 Stats:

Teams: A+/AA (2 teams)

W-L: 4-3

ERA: 4.35

G/GS: 19/17

IP: 80.2

H: 73

HR: 12

BB: 34

SO: 87

AVG: .244

WHIP: 1.33

Cole Ragans is currently the #30 prospect in the Texas organization.  Injuries have limited Ragans to only 32 starts and 36 games since he was drafted.  The injuries seem to be behind Ragans as he attempts to prove to the Rangers that he is a top-flight prospect.  Ragans experienced difficulty at AA after his promotion in 2021 so, expect him to start the season in AA in 2022.  Ragans could fly through AA and AAA next year and be a fixture in the Rangers rotation after the rosters expand in September.