3 reasons the Texas Rangers need to draft a shortstop in 2025 MLB Draft

One of the longest debates in sports is drafting for need versus drafting the best player available. There is no way of knowing the right answer at the time of the draft but drafting best player available works more.

If the situation is absolutely perfect, a team can get away with drafting for need or the two magically align. It magically aligned when the Rangers drafted Langford but with a pick in the teens, that doesn't really happen.

The situation at hand for Chris Young is deciding who is the best player for the Rangers. The shortstops in the 2025 draft are by far the best players in the draft and if the 12th pick is used on one, it will be best player available and drafting for need.

3 reasons the Rangers should draft a shortstop with the 12th pick

The crop of shortstops this year is incredible

College and high school prospect classes usually have multiple strengths among a large range. It seems like that has lead to left-handed pitching, power hitters and shortstops.

Whether you look at the college or prep level, the names are sensational. They all tend to do different things and project very differently.

For instance, Kayson Cunningham is a prep shortstop that might stick at short but is likely an elite level athletic second baseman while Marek Houston is pacing to follow in Zach Neto's footsteps and be ML-ready fast.

Young's tendency goes towards college but this is the time to go for a developmental project as there is no rush with Corey Seager and Marcus Semien signed long term but father time will catch up eventually.

Walcott will not stick at shortstop

You can't think that a player will stay at one position just because they develop as one. There are an endless amount of shortstops that are tall with a rocket arm that end up not sticking at short.

The Rangers need to take a long, hard look at Josh Jung and seriously consider if he is part of the future. Third base is absolutely a need if Jung is either going to underperform or be hurt all the time. Jung's value is there if a trade situation arises but Walcott has already begun playing some at third in the minors.

It would naive to act like the future is certain. Preparing Walcott at third and right field is likely the plan moving forward if Jung is traded and the rumors are starting to fly.

Where there is smoke with rumors, there is fire. Ultimately the question is if Jung's last game in a Ranger uniform will be in 2025 or not. The future is unclear and Walcott is the clear choice long term to replace him if that answer is yes.

Shortstops can play anywhere

Drafting a shortstop more often than not is like recruiting an athlete in a college football dynasty. They have tools that lean them towards certain positions but you have the option to develop them as whatever you choose.

San Diego is the biggest proponent of why this is such an effective practice. Whether it is Fernando Tatis or Jackson Merrill, they show that a shortstop with the right tools can play anywhere.

If the guy you pick doesn't defensively stick at shortstop, move them to a less athletically based position and they likely will be elite there. The Rangers farm is lacking elite athletes and elite hitting prospects severely and this draft has so many that can solve that problem.

The industry is leaning this way because of need but the story goes so much deeper. The Rangers have a clear lack of good hitting prospects and that has to be addressed somewhere.

The shortstops in this class are too good to not take. Taking a college bat such as Ike Irish, Jace Laviolette, or other risks is not worth it when the shortstops are so good.