MOD: Rangers (#2)

This is the second MOD for the Texas Rangers.  The first one is here.  In that diary, among other things, we looked at several possible choices (pardon the pun) for the #15 and #22 picks - these included Chris Sale, Alex Wimmers, Kyle Parker, Yordy Cabrera, Stefan Sabol, Michael Choice, Brandon Workman and Sammy Solis.  After the jump, I'll start the further discussion with a few more potential selections.

1.  LeVon Washington, of, Chipola JC.  Washington has been hard to slot - he was drafted No. 30 overall last year by Tampa and they failed to sign him.  Washington is a Boras client - this year I've seen him listed as a top ten pick and I've seen him listed as a supplemental round pick.  Opinions about Washington are all over the board, it seems.  Washington hit .327 for Chipola this year - nothing really to write home about considering the team hit .294.  If Texas wanted a hitter or an outfielder at 15 or 22, they may find better options - I just think this is an interesting player for discussion.

 

2.  Austin Wilson, of, Los Angeles CA (HS).  Wilson is likely not to fall to No. 15, but if he does, Texas would face an intriguing choice (there's that pun again) between the uber-toolsy Wilson and UTA local talent Michael Choice.  Wilson is tall and lean and he has 30 HR potential and a plus outfield arm.  I don't know what his college situation is or who is agent is - but there seems to be a fair amount of buzz surrounding him.  When I read scouting reports, the player that comes immediately to mind is Jermaine Dye.  Another player that comes to mind is Ryan Harvey, but we won't go there.

3.  Nick Castellanos, 3b, Ft. Lauderdale FL (HS).  Castellanos is consistently slotted to go in the middle of the first round which puts him squarely in Ranger country.  Castellanos, a Miami Hurricane signee, is long and lanky with plus power, good plate discipline for his age, and just a few questions about his ultimate position as he matures.  He draws steady comparisons to Ryan Zimmerman.

4.  Karsten Whitson, rhp, Chipley FL (HS).  Whitson is a long, lanky right-hander committed to the University of Florida.  He touches 94 on the gun and has a plus slider say the scouts.  Jamison Taillon gets all the press when it comes to high school pitchers - Whitson is not too far behind (I have seen board with him going as early as No. 3 to Baltimore).  If there is a run on college pitchers early, however, Whitson may last to 15.

5.  Anthony Ranaudo, rhp, LSU.  Ranaudo is a true enigma in this draft.  A big (6'7" 230), powerful righty, Ranaudo was considered a consensus top ten overall pick coming into 2010, but a sub-par, injury-plagued campaign has dimmed his promise.  Ranaudo had a 9.09 ERA for the Tigers this year, surrendering 44 hits with 19 walks in 32 innings.  Is this result the lingering effect from an early-season injury?  Have his mechanics broken down completely?  I don't know who knows at this point.  He is still considered a big-time prospect with top-of-the-rotation potential by a lot of scouts it seems.  With all these other questions surrounding him, it probably does not help that he is being advised by Scott Boras.

Who else would Texas consider at 15 and/or 22?