Rangers linked to rising prep star with concerning questions in latest MLB mock draft

While the Texas Rangers are still working on turning around the season after a rough offensive start, it’s also that time of the year when Chris Young and company are busy looking towards the future of the franchise. And when it comes to the MLB Draft, it looks like the club could be landing a top high school infielder in JoJo Parker.

Jim Callis has released his first official MLB Mock Draft and he’s got a solid shortstop landing in the lap of Chris Young. However, as is the case with mid-first-round picks, there is at least some doubt whether the position he gets drafted at is where Parker will stay.

Rangers mocked to JoJo Parker, but will he stick at shortstop?

Callis has the Texas Rangers landing Parker with the No. 12 overall pick. The youngster is out of Purvis, Mississippi and according to the MLB Insider, has the highest offensive upside of the “second tier” of shortstops in the draft.

The big issue here of course, is that Callis doesn’t believe he will stay a middle infielder when he gets to pro ball. Granted, that’s hardly all that surprising when discussing drafting high schoolers. 

Most scouts say that while Parker has the arm to hang at shortstop, and he will likely get the chance to prove he can’t play it, his range and athleticism is just average and might eventually see him move to another position, perhaps third base. The problem there is that so far, while he’s shown some pop, it’s not clear that he’s got the power to hit from the hot corner.

More power could come as he ages and adds muscle as he has shown an ability to drive balls in the air and is considered an above-average bat overall. 

JoJo Parker is also committed to Mississippi State. While it seems likely that the Texas Rangers can talk him out of going to college with a first-round pick, it’s always something to keep in mind, especially if they’re not offering the money he feels he can’t turn down, what with NIL taking root more and more.