Texas Rangers Preliminary Prospect List

by John Sickels on Oct 29, 2025 4:01 PM EDT

First run gave me 50 players. I cut that back to 39. Make further suggestions if you like.

Texas Rangers

Jorge Alfaro               C
Engel Beltre               OF
Wilredo Boscan             RHP
Cody Buckel                RHP
Fabio Castillo             RHP
Kellen Deglan              C
Miguel De Los Santos       LHP
Vincent DiFazio            C
Cody Eppley                RHP
Robbie Erlin               LHP
Wilmer Font                RHP
Justin Grimm               RHP
Mark Hamburger             RHP
Jared Hoying               OF
Luke Jackson               RHP
Michael Kirkman            LHP
Teodoro Martinez           OF
Carlos Melo                RHP
Roman Mendez               RHP
Guillermo Moscoso          RHP
Alexi Ogando               RHP
Mike Olt                   3B
Joseph Ortiz               LHP
Martin Perez               LHP
Jurickson Profar           SS
Neil Ramirez               RHP
Jimmy Reyes                LHP
Josh Richmond              OF
Drew Robinson              SS
Robbie Ross                LHP
Luis Sardinas              SS
Tanner Scheppers           RHP
Jake Skole                 OF
Davis Stoneburner          2B
Pedro Strop                RHP
Matt Thompson              RHP
Miguel Velazquez           OF
Christian Villanueva       3B
Joe Weiland                RHP

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Comments

David Perez should get some consideration, I think

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=593634

Lots of strikeouts, meager with the walks, tons of groundballs

by MonkeyEpoxy on Oct 29, 2025 4:07 PM EDT reply actions

DSL

Dominican Summer League guy…..no room for most of those

by John Sickels on Oct 29, 2025 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions

David Perez RHP Victor Payano LHP for sure

Ovispo De Los Santos RHP
Carlos Pimentel RHP
to consider

"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 Oct 29, 2025 4:09 PM EDT reply actions

More to consider

Richard Alvarez RHP
Randol Rojas RHP
Nick McBride RHP
Jake Brigham RHP

"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 Oct 29, 2025 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions

etc

Payano is another DSL guy. No room.

Other guys all look pretty blah to me. Given space limits I don’t see them knocking others off the list.

by John Sickels on Oct 29, 2025 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Smoak, Main, Beaven...

Oh wait.

Please check out the charity that I run, Fort Worth Music Outreach@ www.fortworthmusicoutreach.org

by egriffey on Oct 29, 2025 4:10 PM EDT reply actions

Daniel Gutierrez

I think despite his issues of 2010..he should make the list.

by NYSOX on Oct 29, 2025 4:17 PM EDT reply actions

He's sitting 82-85 in the AFL

Not much better during the year. Doesn’t make the list

"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 Oct 29, 2025 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions

with law issues and

more law issues.

Scouting the Royals
Royals Prospects

by 306008 on Oct 30, 2025 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions

He might not be ready for this list yet...

but what about Guy Edmonds, the C signed out of Australia earlier in the year? Any news on him?

by dbreer23 on Oct 29, 2025 4:31 PM EDT reply actions

cut

Gonna cut alfaro. I know he got the big contract but his DSL was godawful. If I don’t put the good DSL guys in there, i’m not going to put the bad ones.

by John Sickels on Oct 29, 2025 4:56 PM EDT reply actions

ODLS

Putting in O. De Los Santos

by John Sickels on Oct 29, 2025 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Interesting

even with him having some of the highest potential in the system?

"By MLB.TV, we can see J. Hamilton's homer, M. Young's clutch, and N. Feliz's explosive. All about Rangers things can be our interest"
--South Korean Rangers fan

by Conjunction on Oct 29, 2025 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions

dsl

He was awful in his first exposure. Given my space limits I have to make choices, and in this case I will pick someone closer to the majors.

by John Sickels on Oct 29, 2025 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions

in terms of audience

I’d recommend keeping him in — he’s someone that has piqued a lot of curiosity.

by gogotabata on Oct 30, 2025 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions

I cannot believe out of all of those names you would choose Alfaro to cut

I realize he’s raw but that would be a terrible triumph of basically meaningless DSL numbers over scouting and talent. I wouldn’t use great DSL numbers to justify his inclusion, and I can’t see using bad ones to leave him off.

I’d cut DiFazio long before I’d leave Alfaro off.

When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream.

by t ball on Oct 29, 2025 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions

this, the Faz will be organizational fodder...Alfaro has tools that Faz dreams about.

If it’s a prospect list Faz goes, Alfaro stays.

"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz

"Baseball's all that's real" - JB

by Ryin A on Oct 29, 2025 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions

So does that mean Carlos Matias/Martinez of STL will be left off?

I figured him to be a lock for top 10 status in that system.

I don’t think there’s a problem with including the DSL guys receiving a lot of buzz. It’s the same as including recently signed IFAs.

http://bullpenbanter.com/

by jar75 on Oct 29, 2025 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions

especially since a lot of touted DSL guys

are recently signed IFAs. Many of these guys haven’t played a lot of organized baseball and the DSL plays a short season and has all the other usual caveats with the numbers. I understand that some of these guys have to be left off and the choices can be tough, but out of all the DSL guys Alfaro is the one I’d keep.

When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream.

by t ball on Oct 29, 2025 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions

caveats

I meant to say the usual caveats with numbers in the lowest minor leagues.

When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream.

by t ball on Oct 29, 2025 7:48 PM EDT up reply actions

DSL etc

Here is the problem I run into with this.

I have limited space. No matter what I do, I will take flak for it. If I put the DSL guys in, I have to cut out some prospects closer to the majors. . .and if they get to the majors in 2011 and aren’t in the book, I get criticized by the fantasy and stathead folks.. If I leave the DSL guys out and put in the guys closer to the majors, I get criticized by the pure scouting guys. If I put them all in, i’d have to charge 40 bucks for the book, would lose sales, and would be batshit insane by the time it is finished. You try working 14 hour days 7 days a week for three months. That is what it takes to write this book and maintain the blog at the same time, plus rotowire and other projects.

I can’t make everyone happy. So at this point I don’t even try. You want to make a case for Alfaro, I’ll listen. But saying stuff like “I can’t believe you would cut him” is going to make me a lot less likely to hear your arguments with an open mind.

by John Sickels on Oct 29, 2025 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

by dbreer23 on Oct 29, 2025 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Sorry if my comment struck a nerve.

My comment was worded too strongly, but it was not meant to convey a lack of respect for the work you’re doing, and I’m a bit taken aback by the vehemence of your response. I acknowledged the limits on space above and the tough choices you have to make. I don’t need to be lectured on what hard work is. I work hard, too. I follow baseball avidly at least in part because it’s a release from that.

I greatly respect the time you put in, and the methodology you’ve evolved over the years, and especially your openness about it and willingness to interact here. You’re one of the few people writing who is willing to admit it’s not possible to be certain about anything with baseball, and I appreciate that. I’ve been posting here for quite a while, I’d hate for you to tune me out based on just that sentence. I’m a fan of Alfaro and that enthusiasm is all I wanted to convey in the posts above.

When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream.

by t ball on Oct 30, 2025 1:10 AM EDT up reply actions

Sorry

My reply may have also been worded too strongly. I’m exhausted right now and it just hit me at the wrong time.

by John Sickels on Oct 30, 2025 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions

On the bright side...

If Alfaro is any good you’ll have a chance to write about him for the 2012 book!

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Oct 30, 2025 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions

wow.

did not at all expect to see alfaro as the first cut…

Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.

by knockoutking on Oct 30, 2025 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

personally, I can't wait to hear what you're thinking on Robbie Ross

I really liked him after last year. This year, after having a chance to see him . . .well, I still think he’s a nice arm, but I can see why people would be skeptical on him.

by mrkupe on Oct 29, 2025 8:23 PM EDT reply actions

A lot of balance in this list

Good prospects and potential at all levels of this system, even after being thinned out this year.

Looks like a hard one to rank them all, good luck! I always respect your opinion though and am looking forward to this one coming out.

Interested where a lot of guys end up… Sardinas, Ogando, Teodoro, De Los Santos, Ross, Erlin…

by forloveofthegam3 on Oct 29, 2025 9:58 PM EDT reply actions

WHERE IS KIKER !?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!

just kidding

"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz

"Baseball's all that's real" - JB

by Ryin A on Oct 29, 2025 10:56 PM EDT reply actions

Kiker

I’d love it if he could work his way back on to this list, though..

by dbreer23 on Oct 30, 2025 12:42 AM EDT up reply actions

without a doubt...

I just think he’s cooked…no fastball command what.so.ever.

"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz

"Baseball's all that's real" - JB

by Ryin A on Oct 30, 2025 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions

personally i am dissapointed hurley is not on the list

/sarcasm.

Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.

by knockoutking on Oct 30, 2025 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Surprised at the absence of Tepesch, but no idea who I'd cut in favor of him.

by RedSoxFaithful on Oct 30, 2025 3:42 AM EDT reply actions

moscoso

Moscoso? Although I haven’t given up on him just yet

by John Sickels on Oct 30, 2025 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions

thompson

Matt Thompson? Tepsesch has a higher ceiling I’d say

by John Sickels on Oct 30, 2025 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Thompson

I’m a big Matt Thompson fan. I think he is a breakout candidate in this system. I’d rather see one of these relief arms like Jimmy Reyes or ODLS, or even DiFazio dropped before Thompson if you wish to add Tepesch.

A new Dallas Sports Blog- http://thebigdsports.blogspot.com/

by JHawk5 on Oct 30, 2025 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions

see this is my issue w/ droping alfaro

difazio is not muhc of a prospect. — i dont see any world in where difazio should be included in a rangers top 25

meanwhile alfaro is a guy who (in my opinion) SHOULD be there…

Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.

by knockoutking on Oct 30, 2025 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions

difazio

Well Difaz was in the book last years as a sleeper, and i feel some responbility to follow guys like that. If I add Alfaro, it would probably be at the expense of thompson or moscoso.

by John Sickels on Oct 30, 2025 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions

Moscoso seems like an easy cut to me

http://bullpenbanter.com/

by jar75 on Oct 30, 2025 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions

alfaro > moscoso imho (and it is not even close)

but then again, i like thompson

Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.

by knockoutking on Oct 30, 2025 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I can cut Reyes without hurting much…in favor of Tepesch I’d say. ODLS sticks, have some good reports on him.

by John Sickels on Oct 30, 2025 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Are you hearing good things about Stoneburner?

I was a bit surprised to see him on the AFL squad, he’s mostly been considered just an organizational soldier by Ranger fans until this year. I don’t think he even made Jamey Newberg’s top 72 coming into this season.

When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream.

by t ball on Oct 30, 2025 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions

just a sign of the strength of this system

You think the decisions are hard now . . .imagine if the Rangers hadn’t gone on that aggressive spree of trading minor leaguers for major league players without having to pick up too much money?

They didn’t trade any of their major chips, but I thought Beavan and maybe Ryan Tatusko could take up slots at the end of a major league rotation. I know some people liked Tanner Roark as a pen arm. Lueke has his past to contend with but he seems to be committed to making amends and everybody involved seems to want to move on, so I think it’s best not to worry about these things.

Beltre’s stock seems to be moving up considerably from his AFL experience. He certainly has his flaws, but if he improves his focus then watch out. He’s a physical specimen who screams projection.

by mrkupe on Oct 30, 2025 1:52 PM EDT reply actions

update

ok, i will cut Moscoso for Alfaro.

Which means Alfaro will hit .142 in rookie ball, and Moscoso will get his breaking ball back and post a 2.34 ERA in 102 major league innings :)

by John Sickels on Oct 30, 2025 2:15 PM EDT reply actions

haha

thanks!

looking forward to the final product!

Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.

by knockoutking on Oct 31, 2025 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions

hmmm

post a 2.34 ERA in 102 major league innings

Is it good if Moscoso post an 2.34 era in 102 ML innings or bad that he posts 102 ML innings?

by RangerMad on Nov 1, 2025 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Why is Hamburger on this list?

by bigsteve on Oct 30, 2025 3:59 PM EDT reply actions

good question

Good question. He’s a Grade C guy. I can cut him and put someone else on there…who do you suggest?

by John Sickels on Oct 31, 2025 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Are you particularly impressed with what you've seen/heard about Joe Wieland?

by MonkeyEpoxy on Oct 31, 2025 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions

wieland

I have reasons for putting him in.

Hamburger I think I will stick with….I can see him in the majors in ’11.

by John Sickels on Oct 31, 2025 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Isn't he a little old even for AA ball?

by RangerMad on Nov 1, 2025 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions

ogando

ogando didn’t pitch 50 innings but has been up since mid-june. it would be good to get your take on him, but i don’t think he can be considered a rookie anymore

by callmezeke on Oct 30, 2025 10:45 PM EDT reply actions

ogando

Yeah I could cut him for space if I need to.

by John Sickels on Oct 31, 2025 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions

ogando

Yeah actually I think I will cut Ogando. I love the guy but he’s established his performance level in the majors. This give me space to add….hmmm….Carlos Pimentel?

by John Sickels on Oct 31, 2025 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd rather see BradenTullis I think

he intrigues me as a guy that was rather late to pitching but has had success. I didn’t notice he wasn’t on there until now.

When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream.

by t ball on Nov 1, 2025 12:11 AM EDT up reply actions

and I'll admit

that I’m probably higher on Tullis than most people, but I still think he deserves consideration. Very good ground ball rates and his overall line looked very good until he tired a bit late in his first full season.

When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream.

by t ball on Nov 1, 2025 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions

alfaro

here you go.

Jorge Alfaro, C, Texas Rangers
Bats: R Throws: R HT; 6-2 WT: 185

Alfaro was signed by the Rangers for $1.3 million out of Columbia in January 2010. He’s supposed to be a very intriguing power hitter, but he was terrible in the Dominican Summer League, hitting .221/.278/.291 with five walks and 48 strikeouts in 172 at-bats. He’s young and raw obviously at age 16, but his performance was bad enough to be disturbing, especially the lack of plate discipline. That said, many scouts are sold on his power potential and think he just needs more time to hone his swing, and at his age anything can still happen. His defense is also raw; he coughed up nine passed balls and five errors in 26 defensive games, although he did nab 32% of runners with his strong arm. Under my grading scheme, I can’t give him more than a Grade C presently considering his performance, but his raw potential is high in traditional scouting terms. I didn’t mean to use the word "raw" so much, but it is the best word to describe him right now.

by John Sickels on Oct 31, 2025 3:20 PM EDT reply actions