Texas Rangers 2021 Midseason Top 50 Prospects

• Jack Leiter drafted 2nd overall in 2021 MLB Draft
• Prospects returning from injuries, such as Josh Jung
• Heavy emphasis on a younger farm system

The Rangers’ affiliates’ seasons have been mixed to say the least. Round Rock (Triple-A) and Hickory Crawdads (High-A) have losing records, while Frisco RoughRiders (Double-A) and Down East Wood Ducks (Low-A) have fared better in their 2021 seasons. The introduction of the Rookie seasons (ACL and DOSL) has also seen a plethora of younger players make their first step into pro ball within the system.

There has been plenty of movement amongst the list since my preseason Rangers Top 50 prospects, with a couple of graduates from the list (Leody Taveras and Dane Dunning) plus a few trades on Trade Deadline Day bolstering their current ranks.

Prospects1500 Tiers:
Tier 1: Players with high expectations of both making the majors and playing at an All-Star level for a number of years
Tier 2: Players with an above-average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 3: Players with an average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 4: Players who have the potential of making the majors, or have high likelihood of making the majors but providing minimal impact (e.g. middle reliever, low-ceiling UT guys)
Tier 5: Players of interest, worth keeping an eye on, who have an outside chance of making their team’s 40-man roster

Tier 1

1. Josh Jung, 3B (January rank #1)
Age: 23
Current Level: Triple-A

The standout prospect in the Rangers’ system. Missed part of the season through injury. Just promoted to AAA and is knocking on MLB’s door.

Tier 2

2. Jack Leiter, RHP (January rank N/A)
Age: 21
Current Level: Not assigned

The Vanderbilt graduate finished 11-4 with an ERA of 2.13 in his 2021 season. He possesses an elite fastball and could see himself moved up the system very quickly.

3. Cole Winn, RHP (January rank #5)
Age: 21
Current Level: Double-A

Winn has undoubtedly improved his stuff and worked on his game to be less hittable and producing more strikeouts than in 2019.

4. Sam Huff, C (January rank #2)
Age: 23
Current Level: Double-A

After injury shut him down for the first part of 2021, the Rangers’ 2016 draftee has shown his raw power across Rookie level and Double-A.

5. Justin Foscue, 2B (January rank #7)
Age: 22
Current Level: Double-A

He has proven his ability to hit for contact, as well as flashing his power potential. This could see him rise within the Rangers’ system fairly soon.

6. Maximo Acosta, SS (January rank #6)
Age: 18
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)

Acosta has started to show his power at Rookie level. Big frame and plenty of projection.

Tier 3

7. Luisangel Acuña, SS/2B (January rank #12)
Age: 19
Current Level: Low-A

He has shown his maturity to make regular contact, as well as flashing his power potential. Combined with 24 stolen bases, he has proven to be a valuable asset for a team that has a positive record so far this season.

8. Josh Smith, INF (January rank #22 Yankees)
Age: 23
Current Level: High-A

Recently acquired as part of the package that saw Joey Gallo head to the Yankees, Smith is a versatile infielder. Already making waves within the organization.

9. Ezequiel Duran, 2B/SS (January rank #18 Yankees)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A

Duran comes into the Rangers’ organization with the ability to produce high exit velocity hits, as well as the speed between the bases to be a threat as a baserunner.

10. Sherten Apostel, 3B/1B (January rank #8)
Age: 22
Current Level: Double-A

Apostel remains a consistent threat with his loud power tool and ability to pick up RBI. His high strikeout rate is still a concern but he has had a taste of Major League Baseball so will want to get back there as soon as possible.

11. Bubba Thompson, OF (January rank #14)
Age: 23
Current Level: Double-A

Thompson has always struggled to stay healthy or be consistent at the plate. However, 2021 has proved to be the year that he finally matches up to his previous expectations.

12. Aaron Zavala, OF/3B (January rank N/A)
Age: 21
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)

Named the PAC-12 Player of the Year, he possesses the tools to hit for contact, makes solid contact with the ball and also is a threat between the bases. An exciting pick-up for the Rangers.

13. Tekoah Roby, RHP (January rank #21)
Age: 19
Current Level: Low-A

One of the biggest jumpers in the midseason report, Roby has shown maturity and ability on the mound for Down East.

14. Evan Carter, OF (January rank #28)
Age: 18
Current Level: Low-A

Another big jumper out of Down East, Carter has been impressive with his ability to pick up extra base hits, as well as his base-running.

15. Yeison Morrobel, OF (January rank N/A)
Age: 17
Current Level: Rookie (DOSL)

He possesses potentially above-average tools, and the build to really generate power once he gets going.

16. Bayron Lora, OF (January rank #10)
Age: 18
Current Level: Rookie (DOSL)

For the Rangers to pay $3.9m for him they must have seen plenty that they liked. One to keep an eye on.

17. Ricky Vanasco, RHP (January rank #13)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A (60-day IL)

Although Vanasco is on the injured list again this first half of 2021, he still has the qualities to be a standout pitcher for the Rangers. His fastball can be explosive but there are question marks over his ability to stay healthy and really push on within the organization.

18. Anderson Tejeda, SS (January rank #10)
Age: 23
Current Level: Double-A

The Rangers will be hoping his defensive abilities and above-average power tool to kick back into form this year but there are currently some struggles in his game.

19. Davis Wendzel, 3B (January rank #20)
Age: 24
Current Level: Double-A

With a low strikeout rate, Wendzel will be looking to use his above-average hit tool to start progressing further in 2021.

20. Steele Walker, OF (January rank #19)
Age: 24
Current Level: Double-A

Walker has shown glimpses of his potential in Frisco, showcasing his ability to pick up extra base hits. However, close to 25 he needs to excel in the last half of the season to stay in the Top 20 of the Rangers’ ranks.

21. Joe Palumbo, LHP (January rank #15)
Age: 26
Current Level: Triple-A

Palumbo has had exposure to the big leagues in the last 2 seasons, however, he has yet to show some consistency at the mound against more experienced hitters.

22. Ronny Henriquez, RHP (January rank #16)
Age: 20
Current Level: Double-A

Henriquez was expected to start in High-A in the January ranks, and he did with some success, earning a promotion to AA.

23. David Garcia, C (January rank #22)
Age: 21
Current Level: High-A

Garcia is a player that needs to develop his bat if he is going to come close to Huff in the Rangers’ rankings, and although he’s hit a few home runs this season, it seems like his bat has yet to kick on this season.

24. Yerry Rodriguez, RHP (January rank #17)
Age: 23
Current Level: Double-A

Another player in the Rangers system that has the ability to be a key component in the Major League roster in the future, Rodriguez has continued 2021 the way he left 2019.

25. Curtis Terry, 1B (January rank #40)
Age: 24
Current Level: MLB

The most recent call-up to the Rangers’ major league roster, Terry has been on the periphery for the past few years. Averaging .293 in 2019 between Low-A and High-A, he was around the same mark in 2021 before his call-up.

Tier 4

26. Dustin Harris, 1B (January – unranked)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A

One of the most exciting prospects in the organization this year, Harris has exploded onto the scene with his clean contact and power potential.

27. Kevin Gowdy, RHP (January rank #24 Phillies)
Age: 23
Current Level: High-A

Gowdy has slowly started showing improvements since his TJ Surgery in 2017. His numbers have steadily improved and he gets the chance to continue that within an organization that should allow more room to grow.

28. Josh Gessner, RHP (January rank #44 Phillies)
Age: 21
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)

Gessner has slowly made developments within Rookie ball after being signed out of Australia. It will be interesting to see where the Rangers decide to assign him first, but Low-A shouldn’t be too far away for him.

29. Blaine Crim, 1B (January – unranked)
Age: 24
Current Level: High-A

Although Crim didn’t feature in the January rankings, he has gone on to be one of the most impressive infielders in the Rangers’ system. If he continues to develop like this, he will see himself climb the rankings fairly quickly.

30. Trevor Hauver, 2B (January rank #30 Yankees)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A

Although the left-hander generates decent pop, there have been questions about where he settles defensively due to his fringy arm. He has confidence and ability at the plate, and this is shown by his strong batting average and ability to draw walks.

31. Dylan MacLean, LHP (January rank #38)
Age: 19
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)

Starting off in the Arizona Complex League, he will be looking to showcase his consistent delivery and fluid arm action as the season progresses. A pitcher with a high-ceiling, he is an exciting prospect to watch.

32. Demarcus Evans, RHP (January rank #18)
Age: 24
Current Level: Triple-A

Although Evans hasn’t done much wrong to drop in the rankings slightly, he is a reliever that needs to kick on and be an integral part of the Rangers’ bullpen.  There is no doubt he could still become part of the bullpen in the future, but 2021 has been a slight knockback for him nonetheless.

33. A.J. Alexy, RHP (January rank #24)
Age: 23
Current Level: Double-A

Floating around in the high Tier 4s, Alexy has been impressive in Frisco. The January Rankings mentioned a move to relief due to his lack of ability to pick up consistent swings-and-misses and that seems to be the thinking within the organization too.

34. Glenn Otto, RHP (January rank #45 Yankees)
Age: 25
Current Level: Triple-A

The durable starter has overcome several injury problems to finally take the mound for a substantial amount of time. He has been a starter within the minors but could see himself in a reliever role within the big leagues with the Rangers sooner rather than later.

35. Chris Seise, SS (January rank #22)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A (60-day IL)

Being on the 60-day IL has certainly stunted Seise’s development within the Rangers’ organization but he has the talent to be a solid player.

36. Marcus Smith, OF (January rank #39)
Age: 20
Current Level: Low-A

The versatile outfielder showcased his hit tool when with the Athletics in his season within Rookie level. He will look to continue that form in 2021 with Down East in Low-A but has yet to play a major role as of yet due to injury.

37. Diosbel Arias, SS (January rank #35)
Age: 25
Current Level: Double-A

One of the cover features back in 2020 on Prospects1500, Arias has gone on to have a fairly successful season so far in Frisco. He was spoken about as one to watch in 2021, and he seems to be justifying that so far.

38. Keithron Moss, 2B/3B/SS (January rank #26)
Age: 19
Current Level: Low-A

The versatile infielder looks to have found his more regular home at 2B this season with Down East. Although there was heavy emphasis on his contact ability, he seems to be picking up a few more long balls, albeit sacrificing that regular contact.

Tier 5

39. Jose Corniell, RHP (January rank #29)
Age: 18
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)

Making his first pro ball appearance in the Arizona Complex League, the 18-year-old has plenty going for him with his arsenal.

40. Jose Acosta, 2B/3B (January rank #43)
Age: 21
Current Level: Low-A

He has shown his ability to make regular contact with the ball, albeit without much to show for it in terms of home runs and RBI, but the Rangers will be happy with the current development shown by Acosta in the early stages of his Rangers career.

41. Ian Moller, C (January rank N/A)
Age: 18
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)

He has an above-average arm which helps offset current footwork issues and has pop in his bat. Although he is limited with his hit tool, he has real upside and could learn a significant amount within the Rangers’ organization.

42. Cameron Cauley, SS (January rank N/A)
Age: 18
Current Level: Rookie (ACL)

The 3rd round draft pick out of Barbers Hill HS, Texas has an advanced hit tool and good hands. However, the question would be whether he sticks at shortstop due to his fringe arm and lack of real pop from his bat.

43. Jonathan Ornelas, SS (January rank #36)
Age: 21
Current Level: High-A

Ornelas seems to have found his defensive home at shortstop in 2021 having been shifted around in 2019. He seems to be more aggressive this season, hitting the same amount of home runs this year as he did in the whole of 2019, but that has come with more strikeouts and a lower batting average.

44. Owen White, RHP (January rank #33)
Age: 21
Current Level: Low-A

After undergoing TJ Surgery back in 2019, White has only recently started his career in pro ball with Down East. He was a high draft pick so there is plenty going for him, but a lack of pitches thrown in pro ball has hampered his development slightly.

45. Julio Pablo Martinez, OF (January rank #31)
Age: 25
Current Level: Double-A

The Curious Case of Julio Pablo Martinez. The left-hander has all the potential to be an exciting prospect, but he just lacks that cutting edge to be spectacular. He is a consistent hitter that can hit double-digit home runs, but 2021 has yet to see that spark being lit in Frisco.

46. Ryan Garcia, RHP (January rank #34)
Age: 23
Current Level: High-A (60-day IL)

Another pitcher that has yet to have a chance at pro ball, Garcia was formidable in 2019 for UCLA, finishing 10-1 with an ERA of 1.44. He had a small taste of pro ball in 2019, but after his TJ Surgery in March 2020, he has yet to make an appearance on the mound in 2021.

47. Zion Bannister, OF (January rank #45)
Age: 19
Current Level: Rookie

The Bahamian outfielder certainly possesses the pop off his bat to be a dynamic hitter in the future. Although he is not even 20, he has started to demonstrate that in the Arizona Complex League.

48. Miguel Aparicio, OF (January rank #49)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A

The Venezuelan started to show progress in 2019, and although the 2020 season was canceled, he picked up that momentum this season with Hickory. He was known as a ‘slow-burner’ in the January Rankings, but he is starting to heat up at the perfect time.

49. Justin Slaten, RHP (January rank #52)
Age: 23
Current Level: High-A

After just missing out on the Top 50 back in January, Slaten has continued to work on the issues that saw him miss out on the list. His strikeout rate is improving, whilst his walk rate and hit rate are decreasing.

50. Frainyer Chavez, SS (January rank #50)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A

Chavez has continued to be a versatile fielder, whilst proving handy with the bat to go alongside this. He has already shown discipline at the plate, albeit without too much offensive production.