63 years as a franchise. 52 years in Texas. The long, painful wait for Ranger fans to enjoy a World Series championship is over. Now what? Despite losing top infield prospects Luisangel Acuna and Thomas Saggese (along with righty Tekoah Roby) as a result of deadline trades, the Rangers’ farm system is still quite solid. The system boasts two outfield prospects at the top of the list who both might battle for Rookie of the Year honors in 2024. But the real test for this franchise’s long-term success is likely the development of their young pitching. (@byrontx)
Seven Prospects1500 writers contributed to this column and rankings including Byron Cox (@byrontx), Scott Greene (@Scotty_Ballgame), Tony Bps (@tonybps1), Greg Bracken (@gregbracken07), Adam Greene (@aj_greene1015), Clint Fasse (@ProspectLarceny), and Jeremy Mahy (@JMahyfam). The writer’s Twitter handle follows each player write-up or paragraph.
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 to make the majors; possible sleeper candidates for sustained MLB success
Tier 5: Players of interest, worth keeping an eye on, who may make (or have made) the majors but provide minimal impact
Levels listed for each player are the highest levels player reached in 2023
Tier 1
1. Wyatt Langford, OF, 22, Triple-A
The Rangers received a fortunate gift in the 2023 Draft Lottery that saw them jump to the fourth overall pick allowing them the chance to snag Langford. He did not disappoint as he skyrocketed through the Rangers farm system finishing the season at Triple-A Round Rock. Overall, the young outfielder logged 161 ABs with an extraordinary line of .360/.480/.677 while displaying a nice combination of power (10 HR) and speed (12 SB). The Ranger don’t appear to be interested in holding him back so unless he has a horrible spring, expect to see Langford roaming the Arlington OF while also spending a considerable amount of time at DH. (@byrontx)
2. Evan Carter, OF, 21, MLB
Have yourself a debut Evan. After a late-season call-up, Carter shined in the national spotlight batting .300 in the playoffs along with an OPS of .917. The batting eye is legit and it’s just a matter of time before Carter takes over the leadoff role in the Texas lineup. (@byrontx)
Tier 2
3. Brock Porter, RHP, 20, Single-A
For someone receiving the highest 4th round bonus in draft history, the Rangers definitely had high expectations for Porter’s professional debut. He didn’t disappoint when he took the mound for 21 games in 2023, posting a 2.47 ERA and only allowing one home run in about 70 innings of work. He can hit close to triple digits on the fastball, but really dominated hitters with his changeup and it had one of the highest whiff rates of anybody’s single pitch in the Ranger’s farm system. For a pitcher striking out 12.3 a game, you’d think his K/BB would be higher than 2.3, but he did struggle with command in Single-A Down East. If the walk rate can be lowered from 5.5 per nine, Porter has the potential to become one of the top pitching prospects in the game. (@aj_greene1015)
4. Sebastian Walcott, SS, 17, High-A
Another tall shortstop (6’4”), Walcott was signed out of the Bahamas for $3.2 million in January. After beginning the season in the DSL, Walcott flashed the power potential that Texas saw in him earning him a late-season promotion to High-A Hickory, which is a rarity for a player his age. Will there be growing pains? Most assuredly. But the Rangers love what they saw in his first pro season. (@byrontx)
5. Abimelec Ortiz, 1B, 21, High-A
Talk about a breakout campaign! Ortiz showed off his skills in 2023, to the tune of 33 HR, 101 RBI and 249 total bases with Single-A Down East and High-A Hickory. That landed him some additional reps and PT in the Arizona Fall League, where he hit .314 with a 1.060 OPS in 12 games. The Puerto Rican native should see time in Double-A at 22 years old this coming season and could be a nice corner infield/outfield consideration for the Rangers in 2025. (@Scotty_Ballgame)
6. Justin Foscue, 2B, 24, Triple-A
A former first-round pick in 2020, Foscue spent all of the 2023 season at Triple-A Round Rock and was a solid contributor. Belting 18 HR and 84 RBI in 462 ABs, Foscue seems ready for MLB action. Seemingly blocked in Arlington by All-Stars Seager and Semien, a trade might be his best bet for MLB playing time, although he’ll likely have a chance to get some DH at-bats during the season if he remains a Ranger. (@byrontx)
7. Jack Leiter, RHP, 23, Triple-A
There were a lot of high expectations dumped onto the 2nd overall draft pick from 2021. Immediately beginning his pro career at Double-A Frisco didn’t do him any favors. Ranger brass think a late season reset might have jumpstarted Leiter’s resurgence. 2024 is a really important season for his development. (@byrontx)
Tier 3
8. Dustin Harris, 1B/OF, 24, Triple-A
Part of the 2020 trade with Oakland for Mike Minor, Harris has struggled to maintain the momentum he had after a terrific 2021 season. But his nice combination of speed and power is a desirable trait that teams should be interested in making him another likely trade target as the Rangers will look to improve their MLB pitching. (@byrontx)
9. Josh Stephan, RHP, 22, Double-A
After the shortened draft in 2020, Stephan signed with the Rangers as a free agent and has steadily risen through the system. He was shut down in July after making a single game debut in Double-A, but a much improved 2023 campaign over the year prior has the Rangers hopeful the trend will continue into 2024. His tandem of fastballs was able to be thrown for strikes much more consistently last season, and Stephan lowered his WHIP by 0.3 points. Assuming he’s healthy to begin camp, he’ll be in Frisco’s rotation and get his first true shot at the upper minors. (@aj_greene1015)
10. Kumar Rocker, RHP, 24, High-A
Rocker’s promising pro debut season was cut short in May when he suffered an “acute” elbow injury resulting in Tommy John surgery. He’ll likely miss most of the 2024 season and then look to restart his pro career in 2025. (@byrontx)
11. Owen White, RHP, 24, MLB
White did make his major league debut in 2023, but the season was full of challenges for the former second rounder. He was optioned multiple times and was continuously dealing with a lingering neck injury. His rise through the system was enhanced by his ability to control the strike zone and record strikeouts, and it seemed like both took a step back last season from where they were in 2022. White used a relatively new cutter more and did experience some success with it, and hopefully he can turn the page on a tumultuous year. (@aj_greene1015)
12. Anthony Gutierrez, OF, 19, Single-A
Upon turning pro in 2022, Gutierrez began training at the same academy in the Dominican that produced Boston Red Sox All-Star Rafael Devers. He almost doubled his workload last season, and while he hasn’t set the world on fire just yet, he’s shown he can be a plus defender in centerfield and an above-average power hitter. Gutierrez is also a stolen base threat; this is the area he showed the most improvement in in 2023. After spending a whole season in Single-A, there should be no doubt he makes the jump to High-A this year. (@aj_greene1015)
13. Jose Corniell, RHP, 20, High-A
Corniell started more games than he came into from the bullpen (23 G, 17 GS), but the future could go either way for him. As he strikes out more than a batter per inning (10.5 K/9) and has very good control (2.7 BB/9 and 0.97 WHIP), look for him to get a solid season in at AA Frisco as the organization decides which role is best for the 20-year-old from Santo Domingo. (@Scotty_Ballgame)
14. Aaron Zavala, OF, 23, Double-A
Texas drafted Zavala in the 2nd round of 2021’s MLB Draft, out of the University of Oregon. He debuted that summer and hit almost .300 in 22 games between Rookie ball and Single-A. It’s been somewhat of a struggle for him since, and 2023 was rough (coming off surgery to repair his torn UCL), as he slashed .194/.343/.285/.627 at Double-A. Zavala looks to rebound and put up some solid numbers, and expect him to be in Frisco again this season. @byrontx has one of his 1st Bowman green parallel autos if anyone is looking, pulled from a #ScottyBallgameBreaks extravaganza. Hit him up! (@Scotty_Ballgame)
15. Mitch Bratt, LHP, 20, High-A
The 6’1 lefty started most of his games in 2022/2023, but came out of the bullpen in 5 of his 6 Arizona Fall League appearances this past season. Bratt’s strikeout numbers are there (11.3 K/9 minor league career average), but he needs to reel in his hits/walks, as the WHIP has risen in each of the last three years since he debuted in Rookie ball back in 2021. An assignment to AA Frisco would be aggressive for the 20-year-old, and I expect to see him get more starts in High-A to start 2024. (@Scotty_Ballgame)
Tier 4
16. Aidan Curry, RHP, 21, High-A
17. Yeison Morrobel, OF, 20, Single-A
18. Cameron Cauley, SS, 20, High-A
19. Jonathan Ornelas, SS, 23, MLB
20. Gleider Figuereo, 3B, 19, Single-A
21. Marc Church, RHP, 22, Triple-A
22. Emiliano Teodo, RHP, 22, High-A
23. Echedry Vargas, 2B/SS, 18, Single-A
24. Cole Winn, RHP, 24, Triple-A
25. Max Acosta, SS/2B, 21, High-A
26. Alejandro Osuna, OF, 21, High-A
27. Antoine Kelly, LHP, 24, Triple-A
Ornelas saw time at SS and 3B in 8 games for the big league club in 2023. With a healthy Josh Jung and Corey Seager, expect him to be a key bench player for the World Champs. Cauley might need some more time at High-A following his 34 games there last year and 21 games in the AFL. Figuereo struggled a bit this season but has good power and could develop his hit-tool more to contribute in the future. Church is a future high leverage reliever who hopefully gets the MLB call this year. He was blowing away AA hitters with a 15.5 K/9 before his promotion to Triple-A. Kelly, Milwaukee’s 2nd round pick in 2019, is a former SP who’s shifted to the bullpen, and that looks to be his path to the majors. Teodo throws fire on the mound but has trouble locating it, as seen in the 2023 AFL. His future may lie in the bullpen. Vargas is a potential middle infielder/utility type with some pop and speed who’s batting average won’t kill you. Winn is a former 1st round pick from 2018 but has struggled badly the last two years. Osuna has the tools to hit for power and steal some bases but his struggles with the bat could lead to a platoon outfielder in the majors. (@tonybps1)
Tier 5
28. Marcos Torres, OF/1B, 19, Single-A
29. Arturo Disla, 1B, 23, Rookie (DSL)
30. Danyer Cueva, SS/2B, 19, Single-A
31. Jesus Lopez, C, 18, Rookie (ACL)
32. Winston Santos, RHP, 21, High-A
33. Tommy Specht, OF, 19, Single-A
34. Yeremi Cabrera, OF, 18, Rookie (DSL)
35. Liam Hicks, C/1B, 24, Double-A
36. D.J. McCarty, RHP, 21, Single-A
37. Braylin Morel, OF, 17, Rookie (DSL)
38. Grant Anderson, RHP, 26, MLB
39. Joseph Montalvo, RHP, 21, Single-A
40. Chandler Pollard, SS/2B/3B, 19, Single-A
41. Skylar Hales, RHP, 22, Single-A
42. Pablo Guerrero, OF, 17, Rookie (DSL)
43. Caden Scarborough, RHP, 18, High School
44. Bryan Chi, RHP, Single-A
45. Alejandro Rosario, RHP, 22, College
46. Dylan MacLean, LHP, 21, Single-A
47. Emmanuel Martinez, LHP, 20, Rookie (DSL)
48. Adrian Rodriguez, RHP, 22, Single-A
49. Luis Valdez, LHP, Single-A
50. Thomas Ireland, LHP, 21, Single-A
Torres has good bat speed and solid power and could move up these rankings quickly. Cueva is a young shortstop who struggled in A ball after impressing in Rookie leagues. Lopez had an impressive season in the Rookie league with his hitting ability and power. He’s only 18 and is a few years away from the majors. Specht is a little-power, solid-speed type of outfielder. Hicks is a solid catching prospect who looked good in the AFL after a successful year in 2023. He’s more hit over power as of now but that could change as he matures. Morel was a hyped international signee and he didn’t disappoint this year as he slashed .344/.417/.644 in 47 games in Rookie ball. Pollard has great speed and some pop in his bat but needs to improve on his eye at the plate. Scarborough is their 2023 6th round pick who didn’t pitch for Texas this past year. He played third base and outfield in high school but is expected to stay on the mound for the organization. Rosario is another 2023 pick who didn’t pitch for Texas this year. He has some good tools on the mound and he’s one to keep an eye on in this tier. McCarty, Hales, MacLean, Rodriguez and Ireland all look like future relievers if they make it to the major leagues. (@tonybps1)
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Adam Greene is a Sport Management and Marketing double major at UMass Amherst's Isenberg School of Management. His main focus is sport marketing, where he's already had internships with the local Westfield Starfires and Springfield Thunderbirds. He now writes for the Cape Cod Baseball League. From Longmeadow, MA, Adam is a huge Red Sox fan and has been following the team his whole life. When Covid hit, he started paying a lot more attention to the Red Sox minor league teams, and now, follows them almost as much as the big league squad. Follow him on Twitter at @aj_greene1015 and Instagram at the same handle.
President of Prospects1500. Founder of Diamond Duos dynasty fantasy baseball leagues and the MLB Fantasy Playoffs Parlay. Participant and champion in several dynasty/fantasy baseball and football leagues. Sales Manager for Reminder Publishing in real life. Huge Bruce Springsteen and pro wrestling fan. Along with his wife and two boys, lives in Longmeadow, MA. Follow on Twitter at @Scotty_Ballgame.
Byron Cox covers the AA Texas League for Prospects1500. From his home in Mckinney, Texas, he is only minutes away from the home park of the Frisco Roughriders, giving him many opportunities to watch the top prospects from his favorite team, the Rangers, along with many other top AA players. Byron was an original founder of RotoJunkie.com and is an avid fantasy baseball player to this day. He can be found on Twitter at
@byrontx.
Jeremy covers the St Louis organization and contributes on Prospects of the Week for Prospects1500. Born and raised in the Midwest, he is a lifelong fan of the Birds on the Bat. You can follow him on Twitter @JMahyfam for more baseball content.
"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too." -Yogi Berra
Tony Bps Spina is a lifelong baseball fan hailing from the City of Brotherly Love - Philadelphia! Tony has loved baseball since 1980 and has followed the Phillies through good and bad times. Tony is married with 3 kids and works for a financial institution but has enough free time to play in 20 fantasy baseball leagues with 75% of them being Dynasty Leagues. He lives a few blocks away from Citizens Bank Park and attends many Phillies games per year in addition to their minor league teams in Lehigh Valley and Reading. He can be reached on Twitter at @TonyBps1.
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Tony Bpshttps://www.prospects1500.com/author/phillies002/
Zavala’s profile is incomplete without mentioning his Tommy John surgery in October 2022 (after he “struggled” through a 143 wRC+ in high A and 133 in AA), which derailed his 2023 season. With that behind him, his 2024 performance will be quite telling.
Great points! Thanks for taking the time to add this comment. Scott wrote that player blurb and should have mentioned the surgery. It was surgery to repair a torn UCL, but wasn’t TJS. Absolutely will be a telling season for him. We’re adding that info to his player write-up.
Blaine Crim?
Was literally 52nd on our list. He’s close. Have to also wonder if he’s going to be a Quad-A player.
no CF Daniel Mateo?
Good call Mike. Mateo is an exciting player and probably should have been in the Top 50, somewhere lower Tier 4/upper Tier 5 category. We’ll keep an eye on him in the first half of 2024 and hopefully he’s on the midseason update.