4 overlooked breakout Rangers prospects who could make a spring training statement

The best part of spring training is the unending hope and optimism that accompany it. February is all about what might be. Whether it's an unlikely player coming out of nowhere to become a contributor or a surprise run at the pennant. Everything is still on the table for the upcoming season.

Every passionate Ranger fan is aware of superstar prospect Sebastian Walcott, so let's take a look at some of the lesser-known Ranger farmhands who have earned a spring training invite and are looking to parlay it into something bigger in 2026.

These 4 Rangers prospects are poised to surprise in spring training this season

Aaron Zavala - OF

The second-round pick in 2021 out of Oregon put in his best season yet in 2025 at Double-A Frisco. In 108 games, Zavala had an OBP of .359 and an OPS of .770. He hit 14 homers and drove in 55 while also walking 66 times.

Zavala followed that up by dominating in the Mexican Winter League, where he slashed .359/.460/.621 highlighted by 6 dingers and 19 RBIs in just 95 at-bats. Look for Zavala, an under-the-radar outfielder, to push for a roster spot at some point this season.

Cameron Cauley - 2B

Cauley, the eighth-ranked Rangers prospect heading into 2025, is also coming off his best minor league season at Frisco and is primed to make a run at replacing Marcus Semien at second base in 2026 or 2027.

At just 5-foot-10 inches and 175 pounds, Cauley's scrappy style and unexpected pop at the plate have drawn Dustin Pedroia comps. He led Frisco in extra-base hits, mashing 15 home runs and 26 doubles. He is only 22 years old and is turning heads with his play heading into spring training.

Trevor Hauver - OF

At 27, Hauvner is approaching a career crossroads as he is no longer baseball-young, but continues to show promise at Triple-A Round Rock. Hauvner has amazing plate discipline, illustrated by his astonishing .391 OBP. In 2025, he walked 67 times in 440 plate appearances. But he also hits for power, notching 12 round-trippers and 20 doubles.

Hauvner got a cup of coffee at the Arizona Complex League level in 2025, going 3 for 16 with a double, so he already gone as far as you can go in the minors. Now it's just a question of getting a longer look starting in Surprise on February 20.

Ryan Lobus - RHP

Ryan Lobus has been on an upward trajectory bound for Arlington for several years now. The 25-year-old hurler from Georgia has an assortment of off-speed and breaking pitches that consistently keep hitters off balance at the plate.

He doesn't overpower, so he has learned how to pitch on the edges of the plate, teasing hitters to chase. Even without plus velocity, Lobus managed to fan 82 hitters in 67.1 innings pitched at Frisco last season and only issued 27 free passes. In a 2024 relief outing with Hickory, he struck out 11 of 12 hitters in 4 innings of work. Lobus would look to make the team as a long reliever.