Prospect Spotlight: The Texas Rangers

Read more articles written by Chris at The Statline Report

The best farm system in all of baseball is without a doubt the Texas Rangers.  They have plenty of bats, and an unmatched arsenal of arms. Even with the graduation of prospects like Chris Davis and Matt Harrison, this system is ready to produce major-league contributors, year after year.

Up to bat: Players that are ready to contribute

Elvis Andrus - SS

Elvis has been the youngest player in any league he has played in thus far. He was signed out of out of the Dominican Republic by the Braves in '05 and has progressed every year he has been in the minors. He has a reputation for scattering line drives all over the field and making impossible plays from shortstop. 

Andrus has the range that many short stops simply dream about. The Rangers think so much about his ability that they moved all star Michael Young to third base in order to clear the path for their new starting short stop. Another bright point of his game is speed, he swipes bases with ease and has great instincts on the base paths.

His game is not without weaknesses. Elvis tends to lose concentration on routine ground balls, causing 16 errors in 50 Venezeulan games this winter. His lack of power has also been noted, as he has been unable to throw up even an average slugging percentage at any level of play.

MLB Comparison: Jose Reyes, with less pop.

Taylor Teagarden - C

From a defensive standpoint, Taylor does all a major league catcher is expected to do.  He calls an excellent game, blocks the plate well, and has a strong accurate arm to hold base runners. His bat is quite good as well, as demonstrated by his outburst of power in a 16-game major-league stint last year.

Taylor has the type of big loopy swing that is bound to lead to a lot of strike outs, although good plate discipline will help with some of that.  He was also the victim of a really unlucky spring, as he was sidelined by both a Neftali Feliz 100 mph fastball and then again by the flu.

According to recent reports, he will back up Jarrod Saltalamacchia this year.

MLB Comparison:  Mickey Tettelton

Next Year: Possible 2010 MLB Contributors

Neftali Feliz - SP

No one shot up the prospect radar this year like Neftali.  Armed with a 100 mph fastball, good location, and a very hard biting curve ball, he is a true ace in the making.

The addition of a changeup this season led to him being able to set up hitters better, and keep them off balanced. A 100 mph fastball and a 71 mph change up is a particularly devastating combination, especially when the pitches are excellently located.

His breaking ball is almost slurvish, as it has a 10-4 break like a slider would, but with curveball velocity.

MLB Comparison: Kerry Wood, with better control and health on his side.

Justin Smoak - 1B

Big, mashing first basemen are making a comeback. Smoak's offensive numbers at every level of play have been gaudy. Pitchers pitch around Smoak, and he has no problem letting them walk him. 

As a true switch hitter, he is dangerous from both sides of the plate hitting for both average and power from either. This season could see him being the top power hitting prospect in the minors, with apologies to Brett Wallace and Pedro Alvarez of course.  Defensively he is top notch as well, showing excellent foot work and range around the bag.

Justin is limited to first base, and position move for him would prove to be a bad idea as he isn't much of an athlete.

MLB Comparison: Rafael Palmeiro or Mark Teixeira

Derek Holland - SP

The draft and follow process might have ended with a bang, as both Derek Holland and Atlanta Brave top prospect Tommy Hanson were among the last to come out of it. Newfound velocity and control had Derek rising up most prospect ranking lists faster than any prospect in recent memory. 

He went from being unheard of to elite top 25 status on the Baseball America top 100 list. Holland can light up a radar gun with the best of them touching 97-99 mph on a fastball with excellent movement.

His breaking stuff is secondary at this point, and both his curveball and slider needs major work before he is ready to face major-league hitters.

MLB Comparison: Cole Hamels (if the breaking stuff comes around)

The Future: Players that are a couple of years away

Engel Beltre - CF
Although still search for an identity as a prospect, his raw tools are exceptional.  He has a perfect combination of speed, power, athleticism and competitiveness that make him a treat to watch.

Michael Main - P
Sidelined by a cracked rib for a good portion of last year gives limited information on how Main will adjust to professional baseball.  However we do know that this former USA National player is an elite athlete, and has a curve ball that scouts have described as "unhittable."

Other Note ables: Kasey Kiker, Blake Beavan, Martin Perez, Neil Ramirez