Jason Churchill of ESPN.com’s Insider service took a look Thursday at each American League team’s respective draft tendencies and philosophies. The 2011 Draft will be Jon Daniels’ sixth as general manager. Kip Fagg will oversee his second draft. The Rangers were under a unique scenario of a fixed budget, since MLB had to approve all of the team’s spending before the season, so this will be Fagg’s first unencumbered draft. Churchill had this to say about the Rangers.
Nolan Ryan’s presence is even greater this year, and the ownership situation has been sorted out to the point where Texas is fully expected to do some damage. Expect the pitching prototype to be in the Rangers’ radar — both college and prep — as well as upside athletes and power bats. They have an extra pick — No. 37 overall — and may get a chance to splurge for a tougher sign and get two top 20 talents on Day 1. Fagg’s preferences appear built around the organization’s beliefs set by Ryan.
Subscribers can see National League teams’ draft philosophies here.