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2011 MLB Draft: Texas Rangers Draft Report




The Rangers seemed to focus more on signing Latin American talent but they still got some interesting players in the draft.

1-Kevin Matthews-LHP-HS (Georgia)

Matthews drew comps to Rangers pitching prospects Robbie Ross, Kasey Kiker, and the since traded Robbie Erlin. He is an athletic lefty with solid polish as he has already been promoted to the NWL. There are some questions about his delivery as it has some effort.

1S-Zach Cone-OF-Georgia

Cone is a tremendous athlete with solid speed and defense in CF to go with good raw power, but his tools never really translated during his 3 years at Georgia. He is a high risk-high reward pick but there are serious questions about whether he'll ever be more than just a good athlete. He has struggled to start his career, hitting just .219/.304/.349

2-Will Lamb-LHP-Clemson

Lamb was a 2 way player at Clemson and the Rangers decided to keep him on the mound exclusively. He has a fastball that can touch the mid 90's and a solid slider. His tall and skinny at 6'6 175 lbs and  has good athleticism as he played CF at Clemson.

3-Kyle Castro-RHP-HS (California)

Castro was a very good athlete, playing defensive back on his football team and was a 2 way player on the baseball team playing a solid 3B as well as pitching. On the mound he used his athletic frame to throw in the low 90's and a solid but raw curveball. His athleticism leads to easy mechanics as he is a very projectable arm.

4-Desmond Henry-OF-HS (California)

Henry has good speed and defense but his bat is raw. He has a decent approach and enough bat speed to generate gap power. He'll need to cut down on his strikeouts but he does have the athleticism to be a contributor without being a great hitter.

5-Brandon Woodruff-RHP-HS (Mississippi)

Woodruff, like most Mississippi preps is a raw athlete. He has a strong fastball that has hit the mid 90's and good athleticism that allowed him to stand out on the mound as well as on the basketball court. He has a solid curveball and the makings of a change up, but he doesn't always repeat his delivery.

6-Derek Fisher-OF-HS (Pennsylvania)

Fisher is arguably the best prospect selected by the Rangers in this draft. He is a good athlete with good bat speed. This spring though he looked raw, being over aggressive and striking out too much. He has a strong Virginia commitment and some officials don't expect to sign him.

7-Max Pentecost-C-HS (Georgia)

Pentecost hurt his elbow this spring, requiring Tommy John surgery. Before his injury he showed good athleticism and a decent ability to hit for a catcher. The results of his physical will likely determine whether he signs with Texas or winds up on campus at Kennesaw State,

8-Kyle Hendricks-RHP-Dartmouth

Hendricks has a fastball that can hit the mid 90's, though it is mostly straight. He also mixes in a curveball, slider, and a change up though none of them are great.

9-Rashard Harlin-OF-HS (California)

Harlin went to Helix HS, which produced notable NFL players like Reggie Bush and Alex Smith. His teammate Jake Reed was the more notable prospect but his commitment to Oregon dropped him to the 40th round, where the White Sox selected him. Harlin is raw offensively but showed solid speed and arm. He was bought out of a San Diego State commit.

10-Joe Maloney-C-Limestone

Maloney went to the small Limestone college in South Carolina where he showed good power from the catching position.

11-Connor Sadzeck-RHP-Howard JC

Sadzeck touched the mid 90's with movement this spring. He is 6'6 200 lbs but he doesn't maximize his height with his delivery. He lacks control of his fastball but he does have a solid slider as well. He was bought out of a Texas commitment.

12-Greg Williams-LHP-Marshall

13-Chris Grayson-OF-Lee

14-Andrew Faulkner-LHP-HS (South Carolina)

15-Jared Eickhoff-RHP-Olney Central JC

16-Trever Adams-OF-Creighton

Adams had a 42 game on base streak this year, and hit .387/.467/.665 showing 4 above average tools. He has a solid RF profile.

17-Ryan Rua-SS-Lake Erie

18-Nick Martinez-RHP-Fordham

19-Nathan Harsh-LHP-HS (Georgia)

20-Nick Vickerson-SS-Mississippi State

21-Chance Sossamon-RHP-Wichita State

22-TJ Costen-SS-HS (Virginia)

23-Mike Mason-LHP-Marshall

24-Zach Fish-C-HS (Michigan)

25-Jordan Remer-LHP-San Francisco

26-Ryan Bores-RHP-Cuyahoga CC

27-Kyle DeVore-RHP-Sacramento CC

28-Saquan Johnson-OF-HS (North Carolina)

29-Nick Sawyer-RHP-Howard JC

30-Phil Klein-RHP-Youngstown State

31-Matt Leeds-3B-College of Charleston

32-Sam Robinson-LHP-Miami

33-Jonathan Taylor-OF-Georgia

This was a nice gesture by the Rangers as Taylor had been paralyzed after a collision in the OF with the previously drafted Cone.

34-Taylor Dennis-RHP-Southern Indiana

Dennis was the 2010 Division II College World Series MVP.

35-Cy Sneed-LHP-HS (Idaho)

36-Jeremy Williams-OF-Mobile

37-Bryce Greager-SS-HS (Arizona)

38-Tucker Donahue-RHP-Stetson

39-Trumon Jefferson-OF-HS (Georgia)

40-Josh Peterson-RHP-HS (Tennessee)

41-Tyler Scott-OF-HS (California)

42-Joey Pankake-RHP-HS (South Carolina)

Pankake is a strong 2 way player who has good defensive versatility playing in a lot of positions in the field. On the mound he has hit the mid 90's in short stints. He is committed to South Carolina.

43-Kaleb Merck-RHP-TCU

44-Philip Pfeifer-LHP-HS (Tennessee)

A teammate of Nick Delmonico, Pfeifer missed 6 weeks due to an injury. He has good polish and a fastball/curveball combo. He is expected to wind up at Vanderbilt.

45-Brandon Finnegan-RHP-HS (Texas)

46-Tyler Powell-RHP-HS (North Carolina)

47-Kevin Moriarity-RHP-HS (Washington)

Moriarity is a Gonzaga commit who has good projection but lacks present tools. He went to High School with 2 Rays picks-Supplemental 1st rounder Blake Snell and 12th rounder Trevor Mitsui.

48-Carl Edwards-RHP-HS (South Carolina)

49-Mick Van Vossen-RHP-HS (Michigan)

50-KC Wiser-OF-Linfied.