An Embarrassment of Riches: The Texas Rangers' Fountain of Pitching

The Texas Rangers are currently one of the best teams in the league, but what is even scarier is how good they will be in the future.  A brief glance at the organization's minor league talent makes one realize this.

Keeping their current talent will be no problem financially.  The organization will be able to bring up pitchers each year, freeing up money to spend on their current offensive stars, or to supplement the team if they need to spend money on an offensive weakness or a premiere starter.

First, next year in 2012, expect to see a few pitchers competing for a spot in the starting rotation.

Neil Ramirez has broke out at 22 years old, shooting from Advanced A-ball to begin the year and up to Triple-A currently. He has a 67/22 K/BB ratio between both leagues (all but one start have been in Triple-A), while only surrendering 44 hits in 57 innings pitched.

Martin Perez has been one of the best prospects in baseball over the past few years.  Perez is entering his third year as a Baseball America Top 100 prospect, despite just being 20 years old. 

In his second go-around in Double-A, Perez has a 2.60 ERA, with 65/26 K/BB ratio.  You would like to see the hits go down (56 in 65.2 innings), but if Perez can continue to succeed in his likely call-up to Triple-A, a major league promotion is likely next year.

Behind Perez and likely to be a call-up candidate in 2013 is Robbie Erlin.  Erlin, who is also 20, was just promoted to Double-A after dominating hitters in Advanced A-Ball.  Erlin doesn't have the most electrifying stuff, but his pitching approach is beyond his years and his impeccable control is his greatest tool.  

In 67 innings pitched this year, between both leagues, Erlin has a mind-boggling 70/7 K/BB ratio. Erlin has only given up 35 hits (42 base runners) in his 67 innings pitched.

Below these three prospects are more players with great potential.  

Justin Grimm, a 2010 draftee, has been impressive in both A-Ball and Advanced A-Ball, striking out 65 in 63 innings pitched, while only walking 21 and giving up 54 hits.  He is a college pitcher (Grimm is 22 years old) and it will be interesting to see how his stuff advances as he moves up through the system.

Cody Buckel, another 2010 draftee, has struck out 33 in 23 innings pitched in A-Ball, while only walking six batters and giving up 28 hits.  Buckel is only 19 years old.

Joseph Wieland, a 21-year-old 2008 draftee, has been overpowering in Advanced A-Ball, with an 81/4 K/BB ratio in 71 innings and only allowing 65 hits.

Finally, 18-year-old David Perez has just started his 2011 season in the same place he ended last year—the Rookie Dominican Summer League.  Perez had a 1.41 ERA in 14 starts.  He had a 68/8 K/BB ratio, scattering 50 hits through 70 innings in 2010.

I have not even touched on the hitting prospects in the Rangers system nor some other solid pitching prospects that might develop, not to mention the 2011 draft.

And, don't forget that Neftali Feliz is likely a candidate for the starting rotation next year, and that Derek Holland is still developing as a major league pitcher.

The weakest point for the Texas Rangers has always been their pitching, but now the front office can focus on solidifying their lineup over the next 5-10 years, or going after a Cliff Lee-type pitcher, as they did last year, due to their stockpile of pitching talent that can provide a foundation for their staff.