Thanks to the Dallas Morning News, BA's 2011 Top 10 Rangers Prospects list has been released. Check out the rankings after the jump.
1. Martin Peres, LHP
2. Jurickson Profar, SS
3. Tanner Scheppers, RHP
4. Robbie Erlin, LHP
5. Engel Beltre, OF
6. Michael Kirkman, LHP
7. Mike Olt, 3B
8. Luis Sardinas, SS
9. Jake Skole, OF
10. Miguel De Los Santos, LHP
A lot of these names are going to sound unfamiliar to Rangers fans, and it's not wrong to view this as a system that's been badly hurt by recent years' graduations (Feliz, Andrus, Holland, Moreland, Ogando, etc.), trades (losing Smoak, Leuke, Beavan, etc.), a static budget for the 2010 draft (thanks Mr. Hicks!) and the failure to sign Matt Purke, who could have been a top 10-20 overall type prospect.
As opposed to 2009, when the Rangers' system was ranked No. 1 on the back of its strong depth and three A-grade prospects, this system is predicated on young, high-ceiling, unpolished players with lots of room to develop. Of the 10 players listed, six have never seen a minute of high-A ball. Consequently, while any number of these players could take a step forward, it's equally possible for them to fail to live up to scouting reports and take a step backwards. The direction of the farm will depend heavily on the Rangers' minor league staff and their ability to develop the young talent they have to work with at the lower levels. As it stands, the Rangers are probably in the lower end of the top 10 farms in baseball, possibly in the low teens.
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