Intriguing Rangers' prospects to keep close eye on during 2026 Spring Breakout game

One of the best traditions implemented across Major League Baseball over the last few years is the spring breakout game and this season the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals meet for their matchup on Friday afternoon.

Pitting the Rangers and Royals prospects together, Friday's game will feature 14 of the Rangers top 30 prospects. While the team's top prospect, Sebastian Walcott, will be absent, a lot of young talent will be on display in Arizona.

4 Rangers' prospects to watch during 2026 spring breakout game

Josh Owens, SS/RHP

One of the Rangers two-way players, the 19-year-old was drafted out of high school last summer has only played 10 games at the professional level (eight as a hitter, two as a pitcher).

In the batter's box last season he struggled, recording just two hits in 24 at-bats for an .083 batting average with High-A Hickory. Pitching has been a different story with four scoreless innings six strikeouts. Still with a lot of room to grow, Owens will not be rushed but Texas does hope to keep him as a two-way player, hoping to tap into his full potential at the plate, in the outfield and on the mound.

No clue what role Owens will be play in Friday's spring breakout game but since the purpose of the event is to showcase young talent on the big stage, it would be awesomt to see Owens do both.

Seong-Jun Kim, SS/RHP

The other two-way player within the organization, Kim is the team's 10th overall prospect and all it took was a $1.2 million signing bonus to get the 18-year-old from Korea to forgot the KBO and move to the states.

In 2025 he spent only three games with the Rangers Dominican Summer League team and only got 12 at-bats and one inning of pitching under his belt. His fastball, usually sitting in the low-90s, reached 95 during the spring and it's complete with a well-rounded arsenal of a slider, curveball and splitter.

Another player where his role in the breakout game isn't clear but Texas certainly wants to continue to develop him as a two-way guy. This season, Texas's plans are to pitch him once a week, play at shortstop and even DH to keep the wear and tear on his arm to a minimum.

Dalton Pence, LHP

Prepared to enter his second full season of pro ball after being an 11th-round selection out of North Carolina, the 23-year-old southpaw is the oldest of the four on this list. Making a sharp rise in the organization's prospect ranks, Pence is the 22nd best prospect for the Rangers.

Last season in Single-A ball, Pence appeared in 31 games (18 starts) and recorded a 4-4 record, 2.73 ERA, 103 strikeouts and a 1.02 WHIP in 82.1 innings of work. Not a bad season for the lefty in his first taste of professional baseball and it leaves the Rangers wanting more.

Texas is planning to develop Pence as a starter but with a fastball that doesn't necessarily blow by hitters, Pence could see a good workload a reliever where his stuff is likely to translate better.

Jack Wheeler, 3B

As the organization's sixth round pick in 2025, the 19-year-old Illinois native signed a $525,000 bonus upon being drafted. The three sport high school athlete was also a pitcher that topped 94 mph but Texas has decided the hot corner best suits him.

Yet to play a game at the professional level, Wheeler has been participating in workouts and backfield games this spring. At six-foot-five, 205 pounds, he is a big guy with a lot of raw power and unfortunately he will need a lot of time to be ready, likely to start the year in the Arizona Complex League.

That still won't stop him from showcasing his talents on the Spring Breakout stage with a high possibility he gets the second round of third base reps following the team's 8th overall prospect Yolfran Castillo.