Texas Rangers 2011 Top 20 PRE-SEASON Prospects in Review

Texas Rangers Top 20 PRE-SEASON Prospects in Review

I am reviewing my PRE-SEASON list of Top 20 prospects for 2011 for each organization, continuing today with the Texas Rangers. This list was originally published November 1^st, 2010. On Thursday we'll look at the Milwaukee Brewers, and on Friday we'll examine the Minnesota Twins. Saturday we will do the Cincinnati Reds, and on Sunday we will do the Detroit Tigers.

This is a review of the 2011 Pre-Season Top 20 list. IT IS NOT A NEW LIST.

The 2012 list and new grades won't be ready until the season is over and I start writing the book.

1) Jurickson Profar, SS, Grade B+: Hitting .286/.390/.515 with 10 homers, 14 steals, 46 walks, 41 strikeouts in 308 at-bats for Low-A Hickory, solid defensive play as well. A superb across-the-board prospect and just 18 years old.

2) Martin Perez, LHP, Grade B+:  3.16 ERA with 83/36 K/BB in 88 innings for Double-A Frisco, just promote to Triple-A, has given up 17 hits in first 8 innings. Just 20, successful rebound from mediocre '10 season.

3) Robbie Erlin, LHP, Grade B+:  2.14 ERA with 62/5 K/BB in 55 innings for High-A Myrtle Beach, then 4.37 ERA with 57/6 K/BB in 60 innings for Frisco. Outstanding K/BB and K/IP ratios.

4) Tanner Scheppers, RHP, Grade B:  Injured most of the season but back in action recently in Frisco bullpen, 3.50 ERA in 18 innings so far, 18/5 K/BB, 16 hits. Bullpen looks like his role to me.

5) Mike Olt, 3B, Grade B:  Hitting .286/.395/.508 for Myrtle Beach before breaking collarbone in June. Looked great before getting hurt.

6) Engel Beltre, OF, Grade B-:  .246/.285/.315 with 13 walks, 65 strikeouts in 305 at-bats for Frisco. I know he's young at age 21, but at some point he's got to put up some numbers to match the tools.

7) Robbie Ross, LHP, Grade B-:   2.24 ERA with 91/28 K/BB, 1.53 GO/AO in 116 innings for Myrtle Beach, 97 hits allowed. No complaints here, very strong performance.

8) Neil Ramirez, RHP, Grade B-:   3.68 ERA with 85/35 K/BB in 73 innings for Round Rock, 63 hits. Breakout candidate broke out, but is currently on the DL with a sore shoulder.

9) Jake Skole, OF, Grade B-:  .282/.387/.384 with 50 walks, 90 strikeouts, 17 steals in 305 at-bats for Low-A Hickory. Strong plate discipline, some speed, power disappointing so far, but overall a successful year.

10) Miguel De Los Santos, LHP, Grade B-:  Started off at Frisco and struggled, 8.04 ERA, 38/17 K/BB in 28 innings, 27 hits. Now with Myrtle Beach, 2.89 ERA with 37/14 K/BB in 28 innings. Excellent K/IP ratios but serious command troubles.

11) Kellen Deglan, C, Grade B-:  .222/.319/.328 with 25 walks, 67 strikeouts in 198 at-bats for Hickory, thrown out 21% of runners, high error rate. Not much to be impressed with yet.

12) Wilmer Font, RHP, Grade B-: Out with Tommy John.

13) Michael Kirkman, LHP, Grade C+:   5.80 ERA with 51/29 K/BB in 50 innings for Round Rock, 71 hits. 7.33 ERA in 23 major league innings, 18/12 K/BB.  Command troubles here, and has converted to relief.

14) Luke Jackson, RHP, Grade C+:  4.87 ERA, 61/28 K/BB in 44 innings for Hickory, 42 hits. Outstanding K/IP ratio, command need work.

15) Cody Buckel, RHP, Grade C+:  2.30 ERA with 77/17 K/BB in 63 innings for Hickory, 51 hits. Excellent numbers so far, scouting reports positive, just 19, stock rising quickly.

16) Justin Grimm, RHP, Grade C+:   3.40 ERA with 54/18 K/BB in 50 innings for Hickory, 3.88 ERA with 40/20 K/BB in 53 innings for Myrtle Beach. Decent performance overall.

17) Luis Sardinas, SS, Grade C+:  Hitting .308/.367/.385 in 52 at-bats in Arizona Rookie League.

18) Roman Mendez, RHP, Grade C+:  3.69 ERA with 106/38 K/BB in 100 innings for Hickory, 105 hits. Another solid performer.

19) Joe Wieland, RHP, Grade C+:   2.10 ERA with 96/4 K/BB in 86 innings for Myrtle Beach, 1.54 ERA with 29/10 K/BB in 35 innings for Frisco. Breakout candidate has broken through in a big way, combined 125/14 K/BB with a 1.94 ERA in 121 innings.

20) Miguel Velazquez, OF, Grade C+:  Hasn't played this year.

Most of the top guys have played well, and several others have broken through, Ramirez and Wieland most notably. Overall, there is much hear for Rangers fans to be happy with.