Texas Rangers Draft 2008 Preview

With only hours to go until the 2008 MLB Amatuer Draft, scouts have given their final reports, general managers are multi-tasking their owners, managers, potential young players, and greedy agents.

When compared to the other major sports, baseball's draft has to have the most second-guessing.  Tons of rounds, thousands of young talent, high-schoolers, junior college studs, and four-year college lettermen.  Where does it end and who do you pick?

Unlike last year's draft when the Rangers had five picks in the first 54 overall selections, this season they only have three in the first 89 selections. But they have the 11th overall pick.

Due to some quality drafting in recent years and trading away Major League talent for young prospects, the Texas Rangers organization has built up a fairly decent minor league system.

The hardest thing to do is draft a young prospect that needs a few years to develop or grab a player that will be Major League ready within a couple of years.

The Rangers are keeping their options open for the first selection, but the most popular names being tossed around for the No. 11 overall selection are Aaron Crow, Eric Hosmer, and Aaron Hicks.

Aaron Crow, junior right-hander from University of Missouri, dominated the Big XII early on in the season, but seemed to struggle down the line.  He features a fastball that is consistently in the mid-90s and has an excellent, hard slider.  Crow has a change-up in his arsenal, but needs to develop it and another pitch.

Eric Hosmer is a high school, power-hitting, first baseman out of Florida.  Hosmer has signed a letter of intent to Arizona State, and plans to attend if he and agent Scott Boras are unable to get him his high-money payday.  The Royals at No. 3 and Nationals at No. 9 have also show extreme interest in Hosmer.

Aaron Hicks isa  right-handed and outfield high-schooler from California.  Hicks has amazing speed, a stellar arm, and range of a Major League centerfielder. His only drawback is his bat.  But with hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo, Hicks could be a good fit.

The Rangers, as always, are looking to beef up their pitchers, especially left-handed, ground-ball pitchers.  But they will also be looking for skilled infielders and outfielders. Traditionally the Rangers have loved shortstops and centerfielders with some pop in their bat.

Other names that the Rangers will be looking at come their second and third round picks include Gerrit Cole (RHP/HS-California), Ethan Martin (RHP & 3B/HS-Georgia), Andrew Casner (RHP/Jr.-TCU), Steven "Shooter" Hunt (RHP/Jr.-Tulane), Christian Friedrich (LHP/Jr.-E. Kentucky), Brett Wallace (1B/3B/Jr.-Arizona St.), and Yonder Alonso (1B/Jr.-Miami (FL)).