Mound Talk

Texas Rangers Top 10 Prospects 2008

1. Eric Hurley, RHP, AAA. Hurley split time between Double- and Triple-A this season with sucess in Double-A but hit a rough patch in Triple-A. Projects as a #2/3 starter. Will see action in Triple-A next season but will be in big leagues in the summer.

2. Blake Beaven, RHP, Instuctional League. High school draftee with a big frame and a big arm. Powerful fastball/slider combo.

3. Kasey Kiker, LHP, A. Kiker spent 2007 in Clinton of the Low-A, Midwest League. His strikeout rate improved, his walk rate declined and his HR rate declined.

4. Elvis Andrus, SS, A+. Acquired from Atlanta this season, the toolsy Andrus was hoping to add some pop to his bat this season. After hitting for extra bases in just 6.6% of his PA last season, Andrus’ XBH% was just 5.3% this season. It is still the biggest knock on the 19 year old and something that is getting to be concerning as he begins to look less and less like a five tool star and more and more like David Eckstein.

5. Matt Harrison, LHP, AA. Harrison battled shoulder tendonitis this season and was ultimately shut down. He is in Scottsdale throwing in the AFL representing the Rangers for the first time. His abbreviated season has been successful though he still projects more as an end of the rotation guy.

6. John Whittleman, 3B, A+. Whittleman spent the majority of 2007 in Low-A, Clinton, for the second straight season. He was called up to High-A, Bakersfield, at the tail end of the year. He did well in the offense-starved Midwest League hitting .271/.382/.476 with 25 doubles and 14 home runs. Granted it was his second go-around, Whittleman continued his success at Bakersfield in 128 plate appearances smashing three home runs and nine doubles. He draws a lot of walks (16.7% and 18% at A and A+ this season) but strikesout a lot too (22.1% and 25%). The latter should be correctable with some development. Whittleman was the fourth youngest player in the Cal League when he moved up and should start 2008 in Bakersfield. Look for a mid-season promotion if things go well. His instructional season was cut short due to a viral infection.

7. Taylor Teagarden, C, AA. Teagarden spent most of 2007 in High-A, Bakersfield but was promoted to Double-A, Frisco for his final 116 plate appearances. He hit .316/.449/.608 in A+ and .301/.362/.534 in AA. Combined he smashed 28 doubles and 27 home runs over 479 plate appearances. A great defensive catcher, Teagarden got his first taste of full-season action this year, making his season all the more interesting. He struck out in 24.5% of his plate appearances in A+ and 33.6% in AA. Teagarden will need to curtail his strikeouts in order to maintain his level of production.

8. Omar Poveda, RHP, A+. Poveda spent most of 2007 in Low-A (for the second straight year) before being promoted for his final five outtings of the year. If you’re noticing a trend of talented low-minors players, good job, the trend continues. Poveda is 20 and stands at 6-foot-4. He has a good arm and a solid frame. He has room to grow and add velocity. He has pretty good control and just needs to solidify his secondary pitches.

9. Max Ramirez, C, A+. Ramirez came to the Rangers from the Indians this season. He spent time in both the Carolina League and California League hitting nearly idential lines. At Kinston (Indians), he racked up 344 plate appearances and hit .303/.418/.505 while in 139 Bakersfield plate appearances he hit .307/.420/.500. Ramirez is 23 and plays good defense. With so many good catchers in Texas, Ramirez may wind up as trade bait in the very near future.

10. Michael Main, RHP, A-. Drafted this year out of high school, Main excelled in five AZL games before being promoted to Spokane of the Short-Season Northwest League. He has very good velocity on his fastball and throws a good hard slurve. His offspeed stuff isn’t great. Main will see action in the Midwest League next year and a true gauge of his ability will be made there.

Flier. Engel Beltre, OF, A-. Beltre was brought in from Boston in the Eric Gagne trade this summer. As a five tool 17-year old Latin American player, Beltre is likely to bring the most discussion about where to rank him among Rangers prospects. He is given the “flier” label based on his outstanding tools, but limited production. He struck out in 26.3% of his PA in 2007 (spread over the Gulf Coast, Arizona and Northwest Leagues). He hit 9 home runs in 285 plate appearances. At 17 he has a lot of time to develop. His tools are unquestioned, it is the production that is lacking.

The Rangers system is one of the deepest in baseball. With Thomas Diamond (who isn’t here because of Tommy John surgery), Joaquin Arias, John Mayberry, Julio Borbon, German Duran and plenty more not making the list, this system has really turned itself around. The strength of the system is in the low minors with talented pitchers coming up as well as plenty of talented catchers. There are two big players to keep an eye on next year for their development, Thomas Diamond and Engel Beltre. Both have plenty of talent and will be anxious to put up big numbers next season. Kasey Kiker is another guy who is primed for a breakout season next year.

Texas lacks the star talent at the top but the tremendous depth they have will pay off in the long run. Everyone on this list could reasonably assume starting jobs in the future and given the plethora of catching prospects, it will be interesting to see how Texas handles so many young guys at one position. Moving forward, the Rangers appear to be committed to rebuilding their team through the draft. They did very well in 2007 and will likely continue their Latin American scouting efforts as well as through the Amateur Draft.

Don’t forget to check out the Rangers Off-season Preview.