Rangers Prospect News: Sebastian Walcott's OBP, Emiliano Teodo's GB rate, Jack Leiter
The Rangers' top prospects are experiencing their fair share of ups and downs.
Texas Rangers fans have been introduced to a good number of the team's prospects already this season. While Evan Carter needed no introduction after last fall's heroics in the Rangers' title run, the outfielder was still considered a prospect heading into the 2024 season.
Wyatt Langford was another. Fresh off his stint on the injured list, Langford will look to regain that power stroke that saw him break camp with the big league club earlier this year. Jack Leiter (we'll get to him later) is another Rangers prospect who made his major league debut this season.
But several top prospects are still slugging it out in the minor leagues. Let's check in on some of Texas's top young talent to see how the rigors of the 2024 season have treated them thus far.
Rangers Prospect Watch: Sebastian Walcott is reaching base at a high rate
A member of the 2023 international signing class, Sebastian Walcott — the Rangers No. 2-ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline — appeared at three different minor league levels last season.
After showing that he was more than capable of handling his own at Low-A (.273/.325/.524), the rangers promoted Walcott to High-A near the end of last season. That's where the 18-year-old began his 2024 campaign, and things have gotten off to a rocky start.
On the season, Walcott is hitting just .176/.321/.294 with 46 strikeouts. The 17% walk rate is great, but Walcott's 28% strikeout rate is something that the Rangers scouting department will want to see improve over time. Over his last 10 games, Walcott is still reaching base nearly 41% of the time, but only hitting .177. The plate discipline is there, but making solid contact will be something for Walcott to focus on as the season progresses.
Rangers Prospect Watch: Emiliano Teodo's impressive ground ball rate
Not every pitcher is going to throw 100-plus MPH, but Emiliano Teodo can do just that. Not only is Teodo a high-velocity hurler, the Rangers' right-handed pitching prospect is also getting an absurd amount of ground balls.
On the season, Teodo owns a 51.1% ground ball rate and that's certainly contributed to the minuscule number of home runs that the 23-year-old has allowed this season. Teodo has seen just one ball leave the yard after allowing 10 round-trippers last season. If Teodo continues to keep the ball on the ground while also throwing heat, he'll find himself in the upper-level minors very soon.
Rangers Prospect News: Jack Leiter continues success at Triple-A
Whiel Jack Leiter might not be ready for the big leagues just yet, he's getting plenty of opportunities to shine at Triple-A Round Rock. Leiter's last start saw the right-hander go five innigs and allow just two hits while striking out six batters. On the season, Leiter is 1-1 with a 2.37 ERA and 36.4% strikeout rate.
The talent is there, but the Rangers may just want to keep him in the minors for the rest of 2024.