For an organization ranked at or near the top for minor league prospects over the past several years, the Texas system has become rather lopsided. It is pitching heavy - rarely a bad thing. But, positionally, the organization has not replaced the positional talent that resides now on the big league roster.
Aside from Engel Beltre and Mitch Moreland, the top three levels of the Texas system are currently almost completely devoid of positional prospects. However recent efforts, including this week's draft, have thrust a wave of promising talents into the lowest levels.
The first results of that effort will be seen this summer, as one of the positive aspects of the Rangers' approach to the draft this week is that most of their top picks should play this summer in short season leagues. This is a departure from the past two years when the top two picks in each draft signed no earlier than deadline night or didn't sign at all.
Here is how the positional talent looks at each position assuming that the top picks sign (2010 draft round in parenthesis).
CATCHER
Vin DiFazio - Hickory
Leonel De Los Santos - Hickory
Tomas Telis - injured
Brett Nicholas (6)
Alinson Perez
Jorge Alfaro
Kellin Deglan (1)
Guy Edmonds - DSL
From Hickory down the position looks much better than at the upper levels. The two best catching prospects in the organization now are probably Alfaro and Deglan, and both really belong at the AZL level. With Deglan already signed, the duo will be two of the top few players to watch when the U.S. short season leagues commence later this month. Next spring will also be interesting at the Low A level, as Telis will return from from his elbow injury to vie for the starting spot in Hickory.
CORNER INFIELD
Matthew West, 3B - Hickory
Clark Murphy, 1B
Christian Villanueva, 3B
Mike Olt, 3B (1s)
This is easily the thinnest group in the lower levels, so it is no wonder that the club was sure to add Olt early. 3B Tommy Mendonca, last year's second rounder, has had a miserable first half in Bakersfield, but he's caught fire in the last few weeks.
MIDDLE INFIELD
Leury Garcia - Hickory
Jurickson Profar
Luis Sardinas
Drew Robinson (4)
Oduber Herrera
Like Alfaro and Deglan at catcher, Profar and Sardinas are probably the organization's best two infield prospects, and they may soon be two of the best, period. Since both need all of the time that they can get at shortstop, Profar may start at Spokane. There was even talk leading into spring training that he could break with Hickory, due to his Elvis Andrus-like makeup. Along with Garcia, the defensive wizard, the group could be the best set of shortstop prospects that the organization has had in some time. Robinson could move to the outfield, relieving the jam in Arizona, at least at the one position. Though the major league team is set for some time with Andrus and Ian Kinsler, there is little above Garcia on the depth chart.
OUTFIELD
Miguel Velazquez - Hickory
Jared Prince - Hickory
Cristian Santana - Hickory
Braxton Lane
Guillermo Pimentel
Jake Skole (1)
Jordan Akins (3)
Ruben Sierra - DSL
Teodoro Martinez
As of today there is a lot of talent and almost no production in this group, Velazquez being the only guy on the list to upside and numbers in the U.S. The short season outfields in particular will be filled with great athletes who must learn how to hit professional pitching. There are more fairly interesting names looking to make rosters, too, including Chris Garia, Esdras Abreu and Hector Martinez, all joining Sierra on the DSL club.
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