Article:Texas Rangers 2008 Top Ten Prospects

Ahhhhh! Our run around the Major Leagues looking at each team's top ten prospects for 2008 (and beyond) concludes with the Texas Rangers. And, yes, they do have prospects.


 * 1) Elvis Andrus, 19, righthanded hitting shortstop, free agent, 2005

Obtained from the Atlanta Braves in the Mark Teixeira trade. Finished the 2007 season as the youngest player in the Arizona Fall League where he hit .353.

Andrus is a prototypical shortstop, great hands and arm, good movement in all directions, soft feet and exceptional leadership skills. Andrus is already showing signs of being a "manager on the field" a trait all great shortstops possess. Offensevely, the Rangers are working on narrowing his stance and moving his load back to better wait and drive pitches. He projects as a #2 hitter in the ML with capabilities of 40 doubles and stolen bases and gold glove defense. Double A in 2008.


 * 2) Chris Davis, 22, lefthanded hitting third baseman, fifth round, 2006

In his first full season finished second in all the minor leagues with 36 homers, 118 RBI's and even set a Cal League record with a  35 game hitting streak. Despite his success, Davis has an exaggerated downward hitch in his swing which better pitchers will exploit. Defensively, he is slow of foot for third, the Rangers tried him briefly in rightfield and his lack of speed was evident there as well, making him a logical candidate for first base down the road. Will start in Double A with a move to Triple A midseason likely.


 * 3) Eric Hurley, 22, RHP, first round, 2004

Plus sinker and slider with an improving change. Struggled with stamina late in the season which caused his change to rise and he was hit hard. Has a solid build (6'4", 195), he needs to get on a better regimen so he remains strong throughout the season. Has an outside chance at winning a ML starting spot in the spring, a more likely scenario is a few more Triple A starts before a mid-season call-up.


 * 4) Taylor Teagarden, righthanded hitting catcher, third round, 2005

Lingering effects from a 2005 Tommy John operation caused him to spend most of the second half of 2007 as a DH. He is ML ready now defensively save for the arm fatigue, soft hands, good footwork and an understanding of the game and management. Has a slightly above average arm when healthy with a quick, consistent release. A patient hitter to a fault, Teagarden at times takes too many pitches and often finds himself in unfavorable pitchers counts. Given a clean bill of health, Texas sent Teagarden to the Arizona Fall League where he played well. How well his arm performs in the spring will determine how quickly Jarrod Saltlamacchia moves to first base.


 * 5) Neftali Feliz, 19, RHP, free agent, 2005

Obtained from the Atlanta Braves in the Mark Teixeira trade. Fastball projects as an 80 on the 20-80 scale. Thrown with a smooth, effortless delivery he averages 95-96 on the heater and has touched 99. Curve is inconsistent but promising. Changeup is a work in progress and showed little improvement as the season progressed. Low Class A.


 * 6) Michael Main, 19, RHP, first round, 2007

Plus arm, intelligence and grit. Throws plus fastball with minimal effort. Curve is average with plus potential, good downward movement with sharp break, needs consistency. Good makeup and mound presence and is a good fielder as well. Low Class A


 * 7) Kasey Kiker, 20, LHP, first round, 2006

Diminutive (5'10", 170), Kiker nonetheless has been clocked at 97mph. Fastball grades as average on speed but becomes plus when movement is added. Has a plus change and a hard breaking curve which projects as plus. Rangers question durability with his size and will keep him in the rotation until he proves otherwise. High Class A.


 * 8) Blake Beavan, 18, RHP, first round, 2007

Did not play in 2007, signed late. Amateur player of the year in 2006, included an 18 strikeout perfect game and a shutout against Cuba in the Junior World Championships in Havana. Imposing mound presence (6'7", 210), fastball grades as average with plus potential, has reached 96. Has a tendency to drop his arm when throwing a breaking ball which flattens, needs more consistency on release mechanics. Non-existent third pitch, Rangers will have him as a starter to begin his pro career but he projects as a future closer. Shortseason Spokane to start 2008


 * 9) Julio Borbon, 21, lefthanded hitting and throwing outfielder, first round supplemental, 2007

Plus speed and instincts for CF although he doesn't throw well. Projects anywhere from 10-20 HR once he learns to use the whole field. Rangers working on glove to hand transfer on his throws and narrowing his stance. Low Class A.


 * 10) Engel Beltre, 18, lefthanded hitting and throwing outfielder, free agent, 2006

Obtained from the Boston Red Sox in the Eric Gagne trade. A wiry frame with plus speed, Beltre gets good jumps and reads the ball well and has a plus arm. Power will develop as he matures with good bat control and understands the strikezone. Has five tool potential, extended spring training to start 2008


 * Kelsdad provides the Minor League Prospect Reports exclusively for ArmchairGM

Rankings by Baseball America, contributing text by Aaron Fitt

Next: American League Prospect Review