Texas Rangers Organization Discussion
by John Sickels on Jan 3, 2026 8:00 PM EST
156 comments
I am now working on the Milwaukee Brewers. The next team on the list is the Texas Rangers, to be followed by the New York Mets.
Use this thread to discuss Rangers prospects. Is this system as rich as it was a year ago?
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Here is a link to Newbergs 72 as a great starter
Lots of interesting guys including a mix of young LA signings and HS arms. The biggest knock on this system would be the lack impact bats outside of Smoak.
At minimum a top 5 system and is receiving a lot of hype as the potential #1 system from BA..
JD’s like, "you want some fucking pitching? Here’s all the pitching you can stand. Now choke on it, bitches!"- RCCook
by laxtonto on Jan 3, 2026 8:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
and to the "interesting"
thread that followed it
by Goyogringo on Jan 4, 2026 12:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Just on the Robbie Ross train
Young, throws strikes, misses bats, gets ground balls, and he’s a lefty.
by Adam J. Morris on Jan 3, 2026 8:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Let me guess
You are lefthanded.
|Space for Rent|
by RangerMad on Jan 3, 2026 8:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
best GB/FB rate of anybody on the planet
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Jan 3, 2026 9:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
...
Zach Britton says you’re wrong.
by Franchise887 on Jan 4, 2026 12:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i thought the exaggeration would draw criticism
either way, he is nearly 2 Xs better than any other Ranger pitcher in the entire organization
here’s a nice article by David from BBTiA from last August regarding the overlooked GB/FB ratio.
Britton is quite impressive and overlooked in the orioles system
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Jan 4, 2026 2:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Beavan gots some work to do, according to that article.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
by rooster on Jan 4, 2026 2:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
best system in MLB
Three (maybe four) elite talents, tons of pitching depth, and a ton of interesting names under the radar.
by nivarsity on Jan 3, 2026 8:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
4 elite talents?
Feliz, Smoak, Perez, Schep?
"Clearly, I've been wrong. VY is awesome." - AJM
by Longhorn on Jan 3, 2026 8:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m still very concerned about Scheppers future. Both his role and his health. Long term, I just don’t think he is an elite player.
by jfish26101 on Jan 3, 2026 10:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You would agree he certainly has "elite talent"/ a very high ceiling, though, right?
by alskor on Jan 3, 2026 11:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Sure but lots if people do. I think the key is weighing risk with potential and this is something I think people struggle with right off the bat. Scheppers has clear red flags but is relatively new in terms of being a MLB prospect so people fall in love with the stuff. He has sick, nasty stuff and I don’t think anyone would deny that but I think people are falling into the SNTS with some of these guys.
by jfish26101 on Jan 3, 2026 11:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, Scheppers would be the fourth
He’s obviously not as clear-cut as the top 3 though.
by nivarsity on Jan 3, 2026 9:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
the AFL was a good start
If he proves to be as dominant next year, then he should be up there with the other 3
by chrisR on Jan 3, 2026 10:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He's ahead of Perez right now. Perez has potentially more years as a MLer, due to begin younger, but
Scheppers is developmentally well ahead of Perez. He’s faced, and dominated, tougher competition, and his fastball is better than Perez’s. Scheppers is going to be the Rangers’ version of Jered Weaver, which is to say a better version.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
by rooster on Jan 3, 2026 10:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Huh?
I don’t see how Scheppers’ and Weaver’s stuff comp. Tanner’s raw stuff is a good amount better.
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
by Kinslerhomer on Jan 3, 2026 10:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That was the point.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
by rooster on Jan 3, 2026 10:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
uh?
what
Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson
by gore51 on Jan 3, 2026 10:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
x
which is to say a better version.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
by rooster on Jan 3, 2026 10:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, i got that
still not 100% sure I understand your point in comparing him to weaver…
Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson
by gore51 on Jan 3, 2026 10:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The full context is that Weaver-Lackey-Santana formed a pitching core in LAA,
and Scheppers, like the fireballing southern Californian Weaver, could very likely (IMO) form a much better pitching core for the Rangers over the next five years.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
by rooster on Jan 4, 2026 1:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He showed more velocity when he first came up. It was unusual to see him hit 94 back then.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
by rooster on Jan 4, 2026 9:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Fangraphs
http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=4235&position=P
Doesn’t look like a fireballer based on this.
by groundingout on Jan 4, 2026 1:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
welll heres his velocity chart
by matthewmafa on Jan 4, 2026 1:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yes, of course, fastball is slower now than 2007.
His best fastball coming out of college and in his first year (2006) was 93-94, and reports were that the way he turned his body made his fastball appear a little faster. It’s not Scheppers are Feliz, but that is above average velocity.
I wasn’t drawing a direct comparison between the two, only a loose metaphorical connections between where the Rangers are now and what the Angels had coming to the majors in 2004-2006.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
by rooster on Jan 4, 2026 1:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
From Baseball Time in Arlington...
Top 25 Prospects
I’m partial to my own list which is revealed in the 29th comment.
1. Neftali Feliz
2. Martin Perez
3. Justin Smoak
4. Tanner Scheppers
5. Michael Main
6. Mitch Moreland
7. Wilmer Font
8. Danny Gutierrez
9. Omar Poveda
10. Jurickson Profar
11. Miguel Velazquez
12. Guillermo Moscoso
13. Robbie Ross
14. Pedro Strop
15. Tomas Telis
16. Michael Kirkman
17. Max Ramirez
18. Joseph Wieland
19. Kasey Kiker
20. Blake Beavan
21. Marcus Lemon
22. Chad Tracy
23. Jake Brigham
24. Craig Gentry
25. Zach Phillips
26. Matt Thompson
27. Engel Beltre
28. Braden Tullis
29. Tommy Mendonca
30. Edwin Escobar
I’ve notably left off Wilfredo Boscan, Kennil Gomez, and Carlos Pimentel. Luis Sardinas probably also deserves mention.
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by NoNameOnCard on Jan 3, 2026 9:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Ross is too low on this one, and Velazquez is too high (imo). Profar seems to be gathering all sorts of prospect steam for a kid who hasn’t played stateside.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Jan 3, 2026 9:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Profar
i think people go overboard on prospects like these at times….just look at Beltre. Someone had him as the number 1 overall prospect in the Rangers system not too long ago…
Still..I hope both of them turn out to match half their hype(which would still be pretty damn good)…
"Clearly, I've been wrong. VY is awesome." - AJM
by Longhorn on Jan 3, 2026 9:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
and the thing about Profar
if he doesn’t succeed at hitting a baseball, he still has the possibility of turning back into a pitcher.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Jan 3, 2026 9:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Beltre was coming off a very respectable season for an 18-year-old in full-season ball.
He tanked this year, but that doesn’t mean last year’s ranking was way off.
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by NoNameOnCard on Jan 3, 2026 9:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
John will be a lot more bearish on Profar
by nivarsity on Jan 3, 2026 10:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Everyone will be a lot more bearish on Profar.
I think it’s silly to consider him a top-10 prospect. Let’s see if he can even hit professional pitching. Then, it makes sense to talk top-10.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
by rooster on Jan 3, 2026 10:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
KG is also really high on Profar
He was mad that Newberg ranking him that high before he got to do his Rangers rankings.
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
by Kinslerhomer on Jan 3, 2026 10:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
ugh
mad at Newberg for…*
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
by Kinslerhomer on Jan 3, 2026 10:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
KG never met an unproven 16-year old Latin bonus baby he didn't love
by nivarsity on Jan 3, 2026 10:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
heh.
"Clearly, I've been wrong. VY is awesome." - AJM
by Longhorn on Jan 3, 2026 11:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
KG didn't have much love for Elvis Andrus
for whatever reason. John gave him an A-, I think, last year and looks pretty good for doing so.
What a drag it is being broke.
by tricer on Jan 4, 2026 12:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
hmm
link please?
"Clearly, I've been wrong. VY is awesome." - AJM
by Longhorn on Jan 4, 2026 12:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
http://www.lonestarball.com/2010/1/1/1229469/newbergs-top-72-prospects#28044713
by Brett Perryman on Jan 4, 2026 8:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
16-year-old switch hitters who can hit the ball out of the park from either side of the plate...
even if it’s only during batting practice, deserve a fair amount of the hype they receive. Sometimes they turn into Ian Gac. Sometimes toolsy guys don’t have great years (Beltre). Prospect rankings are a snap-shot in time.
One other thing to consider is that Profar received the highest bonus from the Texas Rangers than any other international free agent they’ve ever signed. This is a front office that knows its international markets extremely well. Of course, this same argument can be used for Luis Sardinas, but we haven’t heard nearly as much about him yet.
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by NoNameOnCard on Jan 3, 2026 9:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I did not mean to imply that Ian Gac or Engel Beltre is a switch hitter.
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by NoNameOnCard on Jan 3, 2026 9:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What people do with this
now quasi-apocryphal 2-homer story amuses me to no end .
by Goyogringo on Jan 4, 2026 1:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What do people do with it?
Do they suggest he may have more power than early reports suggest? Are there lots of 16-year-olds that hit baseballs like that from both sides of the plate? I don’t understand what you’re getting at.
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by NoNameOnCard on Jan 4, 2026 1:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You don't do anything with it.
You skewer people for whom it is the new Profer meme. It evokes like a tale rather than measures like a ruler. It helps oil the bad writing of lawyers and physical therapists. Case in point. It will almost assuredly headline a banal prognostication like this one, probably to be followed by an unwise peppering of completely unrelated (non-switch-hitting) comps (Gac, Beltre). To be of any use at all, other than a rehtorical slight of hand, you’d have to claim that this is some sign that Profar will develop above averge or better power for a shortstop, but since you can’t really justify a claim like that in any way, why even bother hinting at it? The real question here is who is the better shortstop prospect Profar or Sardinas.
The fact that TX was the _ only_ team willing to sign (and overpay, bidding vs no other team as it were) the kid as a shortstop and the fact that Sardinas was regarded as the 2nd best J2 shortstop going in, leaves me with as little doubt about which player will become the best SS, as you have with respect to Profar’s switch-hitting power potential based solely on hitting 2 wind-blown Ron Washington eephus pitches into the stands during his grand tour of The Ballpark and after enjoying some nice TX brisket.
by Goyogringo on Jan 4, 2026 2:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
and I in no way mean to
disrespect TX brisket here…
by Goyogringo on Jan 4, 2026 2:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What makes you so sure that Texas was the only team willing to sign him as a shortstop?
You seem to be injecting random, unverifiable rumors into this discussion.
I also think it’s funny that you try to disparage the Rangers for signing him as a shortstop, despite the fact that they have had pretty good success in Latin American scouting over the past several years. This is beyond absurd to me. You’re suddenly going to start trusting the guys who interview scouts over the team personnel that actually do the player evaluations? Be real.
Back to the argument itself… My argument is based on a demonstrated tool. Even if that demonstration is sometimes exaggerated by others, it is in fact a demonstration of Profar’s talent level.
On the subject of power, Gac and Beltre are certainly germane to the discussion. The fact that I originally used the word “switch-hitting” to describe Profar shouldn’t detract from that unless you’ve got a bug up your butt about how people talk on the internet.
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by NoNameOnCard on Jan 4, 2026 2:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
To be clear
you know dick about the international scene. Can we agree on that? In point of fact, TX was indeed the only team willing to sign Profar as a pure shortstop. There are a # of reasons that he might have gotten 1.5m and most of them don’t have a lot to do with his ceiling as a position player. Mull it over a little bit and tell what you think those reasons might be - they go some way in deflating the hype.
Given that there are about ~12 teams with an international presence as good or better than TX who are willing to offer up 7-figure deals, the fact that not one of them was in on Profar as a shortstop should definitely give you pause. In addition, Sardinas was widely regarded as the second-best shortstop (behind Vinicio) from the J2 class with a number of teams in on him. ( The fact that he is Venezuelan also tends to bode very well as they tend to have the <a href="http://a plus." >most advanced skill sets as a group. ) Furthermore, your beatification of Texas’ international operation completely elides the things it hasn’t done well the last 10 years that are also reflected in its draft operations: the failure to find, sign, and develop teenage hitters. What TX does well internationally is scout, sign and develop pitching prospects, particularly Venezuelans for the last few years.
The detritus of failed j2 hitters are visibly strewn thoughout: Esdras Abreu, Yohan Yan, Emmanuel Solis, Wilson Suero, Juan Polanco, Ariel Ventura, Wilson Ventura, Edward Ceballo, Jairo Valdez. Of course, what is even more damning, is that half those guys have illegal passports and are really 25. Aside from this prospect flotsam, there are only 2 Latin Americans that profile as ML average hitters, Tomas Telis and Edwin Garcia, and they are short season kids. The rest of the Latin American hitters in the lower levels of the org don’t project as ML hitters either though many have nice defensive profiles. So how much confidence do you have in this side of the scouting corridor now? Given what I know and anything else that I can reasonably surmise, Sardinas will be the better shortstop.
“demonstrated tool..” this made me laugh …for 2 reasons…
by Goyogringo on Jan 4, 2026 7:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
proper link
by Goyogringo on Jan 4, 2026 7:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I should add
Christina Santana and Miguel Alfonzo to the flotsam list as well.
by Goyogringo on Jan 4, 2026 7:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
minorleagueball.com meet lonestarball.com
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
by rooster on Jan 4, 2026 9:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hi everyone, just to be clear, Goyo wants everyone to know that he knows more
about international signings than anyone else, especially Jamey Newberg and now, it appears, NoNameOnCard.
Just in case that wasn’t clear. Thought I’d point it out.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
by rooster on Jan 4, 2026 9:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
trying way too hard
If you have a point, just make it. Seems obvious that you are trying too damn hard to impress the room, and all it does is obscure your actual message.
What a drag it is being broke.
by tricer on Jan 4, 2026 9:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ross still needs a third pitch.
His mechanics are, for lack of a better term, weird, and for all the love he gets about his K-rate, he showed a pretty unwelcome change after his first 25 IP.
First 25.1 IP - 39 K
Last 49 IP - 37 K
Total 74.1 IP - 76 K
Yes, his early K-rate was unsustainable, but it dropped so dramatically that I tend to discount that aspect of his game right now. Whether or not this is warranted remains to be seen.
All of that said, his overall prospect package is not that impressive. I think most people have him way too high.
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by NoNameOnCard on Jan 3, 2026 9:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I like him for the fact
It is more likely that Anne Hathaway knocks on my door than a hitter gets the ball in the air off Ross. C’mon Anne!
You’re the man regarding mechanics, Trip. Do you think he will likely be injury prone with his mechanics?
How many people in short-season/rookie ball have 3 good pitches. Tommy Hunter was pretty much exclusively a curveball/fastball pitcher until this year. Basically, I think Ross has time to refine a 3rd pitch.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Jan 4, 2026 12:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Tommy Hunter has been a 3-pitch pitcher.
He was working on his change-up through 2008. It sucked, so he didn’t do so well in the Majors. This year, it was better and he added a cutter.
Yes, Ross might have time to develop a 3rd pitch, but you can’t assume that will ever happen.
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by NoNameOnCard on Jan 4, 2026 1:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
In an interview at the beginning of this year
Hunter pretty much said he was a two-pitch pitcher and something he learned getting to the majors is you need to have that 3rd pitch so he was working on the change this year. I think that was in an interview by Evan Grant.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Jan 4, 2026 8:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Do you have a link?
I’d like to read the comment in context because I saw him throw 11 change-ups in a Frisco game in ’08, 10 for strikes. It was still a pretty new pitch for him, at least the way he was throwing it that day, so that 10/11 number on the chart made the pitching coach chuckle. (This is why I remember it so well.)
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by NoNameOnCard on Jan 4, 2026 2:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
this is what I found
A video interview from the inside corner days of Evan Grant.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Jan 4, 2026 3:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Interesting.
I may be interpreting too much, but it kinda seems like he’s just trying to give a short “good enough” answer to that question. I suppose I could be mistaken, but there also appears to be some ambiguity in the discussion about where “here” is - Arlington vs. Frisco.
I can say, though, without a doubt, that he was throwing a change-up (not a very good one) before his 2008 call-up to the majors.
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by NoNameOnCard on Jan 4, 2026 3:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
either way
Hunter was able to develop his changeup this year and a cutter. Ross has been very effective with his current arsenal. There are no guarantees that he’ll be able to develop 1 or 2 more avg pitches, but I trust in our minor league instructs and Ross’ pitchability right now that he can develop one. My ranking is more based on how he has performed.
He doesn’t BB alot of guys, misses bats well, and hitters don’t get the ball in the air off him. Those are 3 very important stats that translate to being a successful pitcher. There are no guarantees, but I like his chances with what he has shown so far.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Jan 4, 2026 4:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
shower
I think I’ll get up and take a shower now, just in case Anne Hathaway knocks on my door.
by richieabernathy on Jan 4, 2026 1:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Please
All of Ross’ pitches flash plus and are swing and miss pitches at their best. His fastball is plus right now or better with its explosive late action, sitting 92-95 at its best (from a lefty need I add). He had three average to above average pitches coming out of high school, and all three are better a year later. How consistent they are won’t be revealed until his first season in A ball. He has AA command and already pitches low in the zone. Michael main might like some pointers on that from him. He was a kid known for polish in addition to his stuff. He was expected to be a fast mover and he will be. He deserves the hype and has #2 ceiling in my book.
by Goyogringo on Jan 4, 2026 1:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
His change up is weak.
You are wrong.
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by NoNameOnCard on Jan 4, 2026 1:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ross agreed his changeup was a mess in his interview with Jason Cole.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
by rooster on Jan 4, 2026 1:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
In the starts I listened
to his changeup was really really good. Just ask Vinny Difazio. NNC knows shoulder capsules and Frisco pitchers really well.
by Goyogringo on Jan 4, 2026 1:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
So...
don’t take Ross’s word for it?
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by NoNameOnCard on Jan 4, 2026 1:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Are you suggesting
that you know for a fact that Robbie Ross’ changeup never flashed plus in the games that I listened to, that he never struck out all those batters with it that he did, threw it for strikes as often as it appeared, that no announcer, catcher or coach ever said to the media or in pregame inteviews that it as a great pitch during any particular outing? Of course you can’t. You don’t really have any game info at all. In his best starts, his changeup flashed plus. The issue is consistency.
by Goyogringo on Jan 4, 2026 1:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well, for starters...
Robbie Ross said his change up was a mess. This has been covered three times now, and you still haven’t addressed it.
On top of that, you were listening to someone talk about his game. I’ve personally watched Scott Garner (a AA television and radio broadcaster) call fastballs “change-ups” and change-ups “fastballs”. I have zero faith in the accuracy of a Spokane broadcaster’s ability to correctly identify pitches.
Your entire argument appears to based on the hope that 1 person somewhere at some time might have said that Ross has a plus change up. Of course, I can not say without a shadow of a doubt that no one has ever said that, but I can continue to point out that Ross says it’s not a good pitch.
What more to do you really need?
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by NoNameOnCard on Jan 4, 2026 2:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Your lack of faith
in baseball people is an existential problem not a baseball problem , or Hubris. Your willingness to discount all info that flows from the players and coaches to the announcers (or journalists) which is sprinkled throughout the pre/post game and play by play of every single game is, well, sad, if not disrespectful (to them).
The fact that you can’t characterize any aspect of a single start by the kid tells everyone all they need to know. You overreached.
If Ross’ changeup did in fact flash plus, as it is clear that it did over multiple starts and according to various sources, then this suggests that your characterization of the pitch as a below average pitch is simply not credible. My info was gathered at both the beginning and end of the season. During some of those early/late season outings, his changeup was very bery good.
As I stated repeatedly, the issue is consistency. Your unqualified suggestions that Ross is basically a 2-pitch guy who may or may not develop a third pitch, that his pitch is simply and without question a below average pitch, based solely on his desire to improve upon it throughout the season is a tortured induction at its least painful. This is your interpolation, no small thing given your frequent demand for “facts on the ground”. There is no data set here my friend only an example of your bloated reading.
I know that ambiguity is a problem for you given your penchant for simple declaratives but the likelihood that his changeup was both good and bad is very real. Happens much more often in short season than in AA (or at least that is the hope). Given the fact that you have zero hard facts to bolster your claim why not simply aver that, yes it is probably an average pitch with good potential that he threw more and more with greater confidence at the end of the season. No reason to be pessimistic here, right?
This modest proposal is hardly controversial - Is it so difficult for you to grasp? So the answer is both/and. If this grammatical construction causes you some disquiet that if because it is probably closest to the truth. Maybe this NNC -friendly declarative construction will be ok for you: “Ross has an inconsistent changeup. It sometimes flashes plus.” Liberating right?
I should also add that you have this 2-pitch guy with an ill-fated future as a starter and weird mechanics ranked way too high - this kid with an unimpressive repertoire screams “Kiker” if you have him pegged accurately and should be moved to the mid-20s. Better area code for a smallish bullpen lefty, no?
by Goyogringo on Jan 4, 2026 5:59 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Three things separate him from Kiker.
He still has a respectable fastball. He has a good breaking ball. He doesn’t walk or peg half of the batter he sees.
Your diatribes are ridiculous, and I’m not interested in a philosophical debate about whether or not I have trust issues with play-by-play guys who might get their information from the ball girl.
If you don’t like my opinions, that’s fine. If you don’t like me, that’s also fine. If you ever want to talk about baseball instead of the short-comings of others, you might eventually wind up with some people reading your blog.
Also, you’ve assumed way, way too much about me and my sources. I’ll take my sources over whatever you’ve got any day.
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by NoNameOnCard on Jan 4, 2026 2:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Wow are you guys arguing about nonsense
Why are we assuming that either announcers or the players themselves have a good sense of the quality of their pitches? If a guy says that he has the best fastball since Sandy Koufax, am I really supposed to care? Why should I be more interested if he says his pitch is bad. Shouldn’t we be looking for qualified, you know, objective sources?
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by OldProspects on Jan 4, 2026 3:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
But if a guy doesn't have enough confidence in his changeup to throw it in certain counts,
he’s effectively limiting himself to be a two pitch pitcher, whether his has correctly assessed the quality of his pitches.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
by rooster on Jan 4, 2026 3:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well said.
I was trying to think of a way to say that earlier but couldn’t.
Searching for a way to predict injuries - TexasLeaguers.com
by NoNameOnCard on Jan 4, 2026 7:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He has a circle change by the way
and he also relentlessly pounds the strike zone, throwing first pitch strikes, and strike after strike. I like him.
by Goyogringo on Jan 4, 2026 1:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I have a knuckleball, a slider, and an ephuus, by the way.
I don’t care what kind of change up it is. It’s got a long way to go.
Searching for a way to predict injuries - TexasLeaguers.com
by NoNameOnCard on Jan 4, 2026 1:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
just some
description from the play by play, though, of course, the insufferable liberties taken by the announcers cast all of it in doubt…
by Goyogringo on Jan 4, 2026 6:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Velazquez
I like the aggressive placement. Big year for him.
What a drag it is being broke.
by tricer on Jan 3, 2026 9:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I like him more than #11.
I actually consider my placement of him to be somewhat conservative.
Searching for a way to predict injuries - TexasLeaguers.com
by NoNameOnCard on Jan 3, 2026 10:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
a lot of people will have Strop lower
But when you see the stuff he brings and consider the short time he’s developed as a pitcher it’s pretty easy to see him as a dominant late inning guy, as soon as this year. Agree?
What a drag it is being broke.
by tricer on Jan 3, 2026 9:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Saw him a lot in Frisco.
That’s exactly why he’s so high up. Even factoring in his… umm… unique arm action and injury history, His raw stuff and late-season results definitely merit his placement in the Top 15.
Searching for a way to predict injuries - TexasLeaguers.com
by NoNameOnCard on Jan 3, 2026 9:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think that you have got
Kiker, Ross, and Max Ramirez over low. I really like the two leftys, and I think Max Ramirez still has got a shot to be a pretty special hitter
Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson
by gore51 on Jan 3, 2026 10:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Kiker struggled to command an upper-80s fastball all season.
Ross only has two pitches.
Ramirez has two wrists that bothered him all season, and until he proves that he can hit .300 with power again, there’s no reason to consider him any kind of potential DH.
Searching for a way to predict injuries - TexasLeaguers.com
by NoNameOnCard on Jan 3, 2026 10:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
boscan
what is your reasoning behind leaving Boscan off? I realize he’s not top ten, but I thought he was top 30 for sure.
Stats:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Wilfredo%20Boscan&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=517448
Seemed pretty good to me, especially for a 20 year. And he was lights out in April and May prior to being injured.
by son.of.sourman on Jan 4, 2026 1:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
His stuff has never had glowing reviews.
I may be too down on him, but his stuff is fringe-average pretty much across the board. He mixes well and locates well. He definitely knows how to pitch. I’m just not sure he has the raw stuff to do it.
Searching for a way to predict injuries - TexasLeaguers.com
by NoNameOnCard on Jan 4, 2026 1:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Poveda
I think this guy will surprise some people when he gets a shot in the majors…he has top/middle of the rotation potential in my opinion, based on his good mix of pitches which include a 94 MPH fastball and a plus changeup….
by soccerman0 on Jan 3, 2026 9:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
He sits at about 89-92.
He only hits 94 on occasion. His change up is ridiculously good, and his curveball is underrated. In someone else’s system, he’d be a pretty easy Top 5 prospect.
Searching for a way to predict injuries - TexasLeaguers.com
by NoNameOnCard on Jan 3, 2026 9:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I've liked him for a while now..
I think he is progressing fairly well, although his command definitely needs a good amount of fine tuning. Man you Texas fans are spoiled when it comes to pitching prospects ;)
by soccerman0 on Jan 3, 2026 11:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I like Poveda
he has drawn the James Shields references a couple times, and I don’t think that comparison is too far off.
Texas fans are spoiled when it comes to pitching prospects
I don’t think I ever thought I would hear/read those words a few years back, but it may be true right now with the volume of quality pitchers in the system. A few are bound to get lost in the shuffle.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Jan 3, 2026 11:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah...
the Drew Meyer years. Brings back memories. Painful memories that is.
by chrisR on Jan 4, 2026 10:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Kirkman
I think he has a chance next year to make a Hollandesque jump as a prospect. There are alot of possible break out candidates for the Rangers next year.
It would be nice to finally see Main live up to his rankings
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Jan 3, 2026 9:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
In the past (like the early 2000s)
about all the RAngers had was a Main type of prospect or two. Now, if Main flops, it will barely be noticeable.
|Space for Rent|
by RangerMad on Jan 3, 2026 9:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I wish I could buy stock in Michael Main right now
Id take out a loan.
by alskor on Jan 3, 2026 9:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I'd do the same
For Tanner Scheppers. I think he’s about to explode into the prospect landscape.
Also, Martin Perez may be the best prospect in baseball next year.
by Conjunction on Jan 3, 2026 9:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Just so you know... They've sewed Hurley's arm back on.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
by rooster on Jan 3, 2026 10:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
FWIW, Lonestarball community top 21...
Link
#1. RHP Neftali Feliz
#2. LHP Martin Perez
#3. 1B Justin Smoak
#4. RHP Tanner Scheppers
#5. RHP Michael Main
#6. LHP Robbie Ross
#7. RHP Wilmer Font
#8. RHP Danny Gutierrez
#9. RF/DH/1B Mitch Moreland
#10. LHP Kasey Kiker
#11. SS Jurick Profar
#12. C Max Ramirez
#13. RHP Blake Beavan
#14. RHP Pedro Strop
#15. CF Engel Beltre
#16. RHP Guillermo Moscoso
#17. RHP Omar Poveda
#18. C Tomas Telis
#19. RHP Joe Wieland
#20. OF Miguel Velazquez
#21. RHP Eric Hurley
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
by rooster on Jan 3, 2026 10:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
what's the deal with Eric Hurley?
I was under the impression that he was all but done. Is he literally back?
I love a lot of guys in this system: Ross, Kiker, Main, Poveda, Beltra, Strop, and Tracy.
Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson
by gore51 on Jan 3, 2026 10:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Who knows. He had rotator cuff surgery. He'll be ready to throw in ST, but that's a massively harsh injury.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
by rooster on Jan 3, 2026 10:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
rotator AND labrum, I thought
That’s as bad as it gets.
by alskor on Jan 3, 2026 10:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He gets voted in
Mostly on name recognition, and nostalgia from those of us who remember him as our former #1. God, how things have changed. :)
by Conjunction on Jan 3, 2026 11:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
A couple of guys who could have consolidation years...
Font. This year was already pretty good for a 19-yo. But, he lowered his BB-rate considerably in the second half while also working on his secondary pitches. The willingness to do that seems like a step forward in maturity. If he could carry forward what he learned during the second half last year, next year could be a very impressive year for him.
Beltre. His BB-rate looks horrible, but it actually improved considerably over 2008. Same thing, if he can carry that into next year, he has the ability to post really eye-popping numbers.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
by rooster on Jan 3, 2026 10:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
What is the thoughts on
Robbie Erlin? 3rd Round HS pick
Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson
by gore51 on Jan 3, 2026 10:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
above average FB, plus big breaking curve, solid command, feel for pitching
I like him alot
by ramjam36 on Jan 4, 2026 10:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i like him too
we’ve been friends since grade school
Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson
by gore51 on Jan 4, 2026 1:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The system is thin in position prospects, so a couple of notes from Jason Cole on a couple of the more interesting ones.
Tommy Mendonca:
The extra time proved to be valuable for Mendonca, who had an extremely productive debut summer in professional ball. After getting off to a slow start that included a .196 batting average and 19 strikeouts over his first 14 games at short-season Spokane, Mendonca began to make some adjustments.
Tired of struggling, Mendonca went to the Rangers [as he explains in the following interview] and began to re-work his entire swing. Once Mendonca got accustomed to his new mechanics, he posted a .322/.388/.575 line in 87 August at-bats with the Indians.
Miguel Velazquez:
Miguel Velazquez, RF: Regarded as perhaps Puerto Rico’s most talented prospect in the 2006 MLB Draft, Velazquez fell all the way to the 19th round due to legal troubles. He signed for $72,000 and played for the AZL Rangers that summer, but was forced to miss the entire 2008 campaign with similar issues in his native land.
Velazquez returned in ’09 with a bang, showcasing his extraordinary talent in the short-season Northwest League. Much like Beltre, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound outfielder has five above-average tools [though most of Beltre’s raw tools are a slight tick better] that appear to be relatively well-developed. Despite the lack of pro experience, Velazquez batted .297 with 10 homers in 54 games for the Indians.
The 21-year-old is a good hitter with a fairly advanced approach. Because of his strong frame, some of his plus power potential is already showing up in games. Velazquez also has good speed and a strong arm. He could stand to improve his play in right field, but he has the necessary skills to be solid with the glove. The Rangers feel Velazquez has moved past his off-field issues, and if so, he could become the crown jewel of the Rangers’ position-player crop.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
by rooster on Jan 4, 2026 1:14 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I'm much more optimistic about Velazquez
than Mendonca, but I’m still encouraged that Mendonca has such a good attitude about working on his swing.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Jan 4, 2026 12:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Maturity is something the Rangers seem to have valued in their recent picks.
I don’t know how they rated Menodonca, but I’ll take a somewhat flawed prospect with great maturity over many super toolsy prospects.
The Rangers, of course, still take a lot of guys who leave a lot to be desired in their mentality: Velazquez, Gutierrez, Beavan (back in the day). But, I think Profar, Main, Andrus, Holland, etc are examples of a slight shading of the FO toward having a certain type of mentality profiled in their prospects. And, I think that’s a good thing.
They also have a done a nice job of providing more career education or career counseling to young guys in the last 3-5 years, Fall Instructs classroom work, for example. I think they’re not only profiling a type of mentality but also promoting it in the development process.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
by rooster on Jan 4, 2026 12:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Mendonca
Mendonca did improve from his first to his second month in Spokane, but the improvement was not especially substantial. His BB/PA:K/PA ration was 3.8/34.0, and then became 5.1/29.6, still pretty horrible. The reason for his pretty OPS isn’t any dramatic improvement, but a BABIP that was .434. The guy has a ton of power, but if he doesn’t learn to keep from striking out, or to take a walk, then he may never become much more than a poor man’s Chris Davis - and probably substantially less than that
TheSouthWing.com - A Magazine of essays, prose and poems
by OldProspects on Jan 4, 2026 3:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
To answer your question, John, I think the system is better than a year ago.
Anyone agree?
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
by rooster on Jan 4, 2026 1:23 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Id say its at least equal
Very hard to eyeball it.
The other systems have definitely gotten worse for the most part, so the gap down from Texas to #2 is definitely larger than last year (where it wasnt even nec. a consensus #1 system). Of course, it is a kind of down year for top talent depth.
by alskor on Jan 4, 2026 2:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hard to say
The loss of Elvis and Holland is mitigated by some of the Latin American signings and getting Schep. I think it’s a wash, but the Rangers were a Purke away from beating last year’s crop.
That's why they call them business sox
by egriffey on Jan 4, 2026 6:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The system still has alot of depth, but outside of the top 4 impact guys, it’s a little weaker.
It’s going to be nice to have 4 first rounders next draft.
A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
by NothinG on Jan 4, 2026 8:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
My view is this.
Top 4 is probably the best top 4 of all farm systems.
15-25 is pretty similar to the better farm systems.
25 on down is probably the best of all farm systems.
But, maybe someone like Andrus was underrated last year, which would mean the system was stronger than considered by most. Barring that, I think the high impact guys are better this year, and I think the deep, deep depth has more potential for producing a new wave of impact players.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
by rooster on Jan 4, 2026 9:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry, meant 5-15 is pretty similar to better farm systems, and 15 on down is possibly the best.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
by rooster on Jan 4, 2026 11:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
can you imagine if they had signed Purke? Ridiculous...
by ramjam36 on Jan 4, 2026 10:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I try not to imagine it, because it puts me in a baby-punting mood (to steal a famous phrase from dirkatron).
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
by rooster on Jan 4, 2026 11:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think its better
Its lost some elite position player talent (Davis and Elvis graduating, MaxRam’s injury), but I think the depth is even better and more evenly distributed throughout the system. There’s also a lot of breakout potential in that depth. Guys like Profar and Velazquez could prove the hype this season.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Jan 4, 2026 2:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
down a bit but still excellent
well we actually graduated Holland, Amdrus, Teagarden and Borbon, the latter two of which also drew considerable note in prospect lists. Plus, Max was high on lists last winter and obviously needs to be downgraded. While others have stepped up, Profar has been signed, and Scheppers drafted since then, overall I think the collection of talent is down a bit, but mostly for the right reasons, that it graduated and looks very good.
As discussed in another thread, with one of the top three rookie classes last year, along with Oakland and Baltimore and still probably the top system in the majors, they should have the best collection of club controlled talent come a year or two from now, which is definitely the recipe for success in the standings for a team that has financially struggled in recent years to even be mid-market.
Combine with the potential of new ownership to improve the financial situation and you can’t help but be excited about the future.
by Dalman on Jan 4, 2026 8:44 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I have Perez as an A-
God, I love him
by RedSoxFaithful on Jan 4, 2026 10:58 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
everybody loves him
seriously
Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson
by gore51 on Jan 4, 2026 1:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Not true
Many of the slower posters on this site can’t seem to figure out that IF Bumgarner gets his velocity back up 7mph and improves his secondary stuff he STILL wouldnt be quite as good as Perez. I think its b/c they think Bumgarner is a cool name, personally. Democracy just doesnt work, people.
by alskor on Jan 4, 2026 2:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
everybody who's in the know love him
seriously
Adoptive parent of Kyle Nicholson
by gore51 on Jan 4, 2026 2:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The controversial prospects in the lonstarball world are Ross, Profar, and to a lesser extent Main, BUT
I have a hard time with Strop.
He has a mixture of pitches that reminds me of Frank Francisco when he was in AA after the trade with the White Sox. I usually don’t put the a prospect reliever on par with a SP prospect that has a mid-rotation ceiling or higher. But, Strop might change my opinion on that matter. I just can’t seem to get a read on how dominating his repertoire might be. He might warrant an 8-11 ranking.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
by rooster on Jan 4, 2026 12:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Strop has always had good stuff, it’s just his health that is a question mark (due primarily to poor mechanics I think if I remember correctly?). I used to keep tabs on him a while back but haven’t recently.
by jfish26101 on Jan 4, 2026 12:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Add Beltre and Kiker to that list as well
Along with Max to a lesser degree
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
by bigsteve on Jan 4, 2026 12:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This system remains surprisingly strong
3 or 4 elite guys, and more C+ types than you can shake a stick at. A year from now I fully expect to be making pretty much the same post as guys like Main, Font, Velazquez, Profar, Telis and others potentially take big steps forward.
Beltre will either move up or drop off the face of the earth.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Jan 4, 2026 12:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Beltre.... Anyone interested in an empirical analysis of how 19-yo in Hi-A have fared
should look at Scott Lucas’s entry on Engel Beltre on Dec 31.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
by rooster on Jan 4, 2026 12:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
For fun... here's goyogringo's Top 78 Rangers prospects list.
Published today: http://minormoosings.blogspot.com/2010/01/system-rankings-penultimate-draft.html
1. Neftali Feliz…….40. E. Escobar
2. Justin Smoak……41. Vincent DiFazio
3. T. Scheppers……42. Marcus Lemon
4. Martin Perez……43. Engel Beltre
5. G. Moscoso……..44. Matt Thompson
6. Pedro Strop…….45. Tanner Roark
7. Omar Poveda…….46. Keith Campbell
8. Robbie Ross…….47. Johnny Gunter
9. Wilmer Font…….48. Tm Murphy
10. T. Mendonca…….49. Neil Ramirez
11. M. Kirkman……..50. Kyle Ocampo
12. Kennil Gomez……51. Miguel de los Santos
13. Blake Beavan……52. Juan Grullon
14. Richard Bleier….53. Richard Alvarez
15. Jacob Brigham…..54. Zike Rijo
16. Michael Main……55. Shawn Blackwell
17. M. Velazquez……56. Justin Miller
18. Tony Doyle……..57. Fabio Castillo
19. Max Ramirez…….58. Beau Jones
20. D. Guttierez……59. Corey Young
21. M. Moreland…….60. Joseph Ortiz
22. Fredo Boscan……61. Winston Marquez
23. Joe Wieland…….62. Adalberto Flores
24. Kasey Kiker…….63. Jose Monegro
25. Luis Sardinas…..64. Ovispo de los Santos
26. J. Profar………..65. Kelvin Arrendell
27. Robbie Erlin……66. David Paisano
28. Edwin Garcia……67. Mike Bianucci
29. Tomas Telis…….68. Alex Gonzalez
30. Carlos Melo…….69. Leury Garcia
31. Ruben Sierra……70. Leonel de los Santos
32. Nick McBride……71. Clark Murphy
33. Paul Strong…….72. Guillermo Pimentel
34. Greg Golson…….73. Joey Butler
35. Chad Tracy……..74. Matt Lawson
36. Trevor Hurley…..75. Justin Jamison
37. C. Pimentel…….76. Tae Ahn Kyung
38. Braden Tullis…..77. Braxton Lane
39. Chadwick Bell…..78. Riley Cooper
Searching for a way to predict injuries - TexasLeaguers.com
by NoNameOnCard on Jan 4, 2026 3:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
LMAO
Moscoso at 5, Strop at 6, Poveda at 7, Mendonca at 10…okay I’m going to stop now because just about every ranking he has is ridiculous.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Jan 4, 2026 3:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
On a side note
If that’s how he actually views this system’s prospects, is it any wonder that no one agrees with him about anything?
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Jan 4, 2026 3:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well, I'm OK with the order of the top 4.
I know why he has Gutierrez where he has him. It has to do with very few dominant ML relievers utilizing a curveball as the primary offspeed pitch.
We all know why Main is that low.
I agree that KG is probably underrated by most, but I don’t think I’d go #12 with him, maybe about 20, though.
Would like to hear from him on Strop, Moscosco, and Moreland. Also, would like to hear what his rankings mean. Do they mean this is the order of the guys he thinks are most likely to make it as ML regulars?
Lemon ahead of Beltre has to earn him at least one fan, right?
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
by rooster on Jan 4, 2026 3:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Lemon ahead of Beltre has to earn him at least one fan, right?
Two.
|Space for Rent|
by RangerMad on Jan 4, 2026 3:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
fin's rankings weren't that bad
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
"I am one of the biggest Texas Ranger fans out there but I'm also one of the smartest. Deal with it."
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Jan 4, 2026 3:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Fin isn't this smart, though often times Goyo puts his smarts to poor use.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
by rooster on Jan 4, 2026 3:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Fin is not a real person
and he’s not Goyo’s alter ego either.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Jan 4, 2026 3:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
t ball = Deepthroat? :)
|Space for Rent|
by RangerMad on Jan 4, 2026 4:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yep, Fin was actually very knowledgable of the system
Whoever he is/was
by tyd3311 on Jan 4, 2026 5:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Is that just the Rangers or all of MLB?
by alskor on Jan 4, 2026 10:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Haha!
Just the Rangers.
Searching for a way to predict injuries - TexasLeaguers.com
by NoNameOnCard on Jan 4, 2026 10:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Edwin Escobar...
Really nice stats given it was his first taste of pro ball, and in the AZL. Anyone got a good handle on his stuff, projection? I’ve read he’s got a fastball in the low 90s already, and has flashed a potential plus curve, but given how far away he is…I’m leery of most reports. Will he start next year in Spokane, or any chance at a jump to full season ball?
by Franchise887 on Jan 4, 2026 6:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
A discussion on lonestarball has emerged over whether his build can sustain many, many innings.
BA and Newberg aren’t too high on his potential as a SP due to his build.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
by rooster on Jan 4, 2026 6:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Escobar
17 year-old Venezuelan southpaw with good feel for pitching and a solid-average arsenal that should play up. A lot has been made about his stocky build and how that might affect his ability to start, but I think a lot of that depends on his mechanics going forward and his continued physical growth. He’s already somewhat physically mature, but It’s not like Escobar has T-Rex arms on a flabby body.
His arsenal is solid, but not spectacular at this point; his fastball would sit anywhere in the 86-92 range hitting 94 mph on at least a few occasions during the ’09 season; his curve showed promise for a 17 year-old, meaning that he could spin it and it ended up somewhere close to the desired location; he could throw his change off the fastball with some feel.
Solid arm with some upside but not a superstar in the making.
by jparks77 on Jan 4, 2026 7:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Braden Tullis
is one guy I’m rooting for. Came late to pitching, had solid K/BB and great GB rate in his debut.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
by t ball on Jan 4, 2026 7:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I like Vin DiFazio
a good amount. Good patience, good power, good defensive tools for a catcher. He’s missed 2 years because of a non-degenerative knee condition (I believe it was a viral infection), but he’s really hit regardless of where he has been playing.
He was a guy with some pretty solid hype as a draft prospect before he got injured, so I’d like to see your thoughts on him.
I’m a white boy who doesn’t think a black man is good enough to manage my baseball team. - LSJ
"I really think that" - LSJ, on being asked by AirJordan
by FirebatM3 on Jan 4, 2026 8:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
And a great name
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
"When you have a weapon on your shoulder like he has, you can be cool." RW on Perez
And the little bastard threw it for a swinging strike three in a 3-2 count. He’s blessed. And ballsy.
by Rodney on Jan 5, 2026 12:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
When the Rangers drafted Vin DiFazio
I did a google search on him and found that someone named Vincent DiFazio was killed in the 9/11 attacks and had a son named little Vin who played baseball. I assumed it was our draftee, but I could’ve sworn that hre recently I read something about his dad and it wasn’t him…..
by Drew062682 on Jan 6, 2026 11:17 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
DiFazio is from Jersey.
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
by Kinslerhomer on Jan 6, 2026 1:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
His uncle died
http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/difazio_vin01.html
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
by Kinslerhomer on Jan 6, 2026 1:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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