2026 Texas Rangers Top 30 Prospect Rankings

We’re excited to share our first-ever Top 30 Texas Rangers prospect list. To put this together, we collected rankings from each of our contributors.

​Sebastian Walcott is the clear headliner at the top, but the gap between players gets thin once you move past the first few names. Once you’re outside the Top 10, the differences are often minimal. Many of these guys are interchangeable right now, and a single hot month or a mechanical tweak could easily shuffle the back half of this list. It’s a snapshot of a system that is a little deeper than most think.

Texas Rangers top 30 prospects 2026

#30 Jesus Chavez – OF

6’3”, 195 lbs | B/T: R/R | Age: 17| Acquired: IFA (2026)

Background: Jesus Chavez is a headline addition to the Rangers’ 2026 international signing class, joining the organization out of Venezuela for a reported $600,000 bonus. A standout performer on the international stage, Chavez put up elite numbers during the U-15 World Cup. He hit .389/.500/.500 in 28 plate appearances during the tournament, ranking second on the team in OPS. At 17 years old, Chavez already possesses a physical, “pro-ready” frame that stands out among his peers and has been on the radar of scouts for several years as a high-upside athlete with a classic right-field profile.

​Tools: One of the most intriguing parts of Chavez’s game is his raw power potential. Given his 6’3” frame and significant strength for his age, he already produces impressive exit velocities that project for plus power as he matures. Defensively, he features a strong arm that should comfortably handle a corner outfield spot. While his swing can be a bit long at times—common for teenage power hitters—his athleticism gives him a solid foundation to refine his approach as he faces professional pitching.

​Outlook: Chavez is the definition of a “high-ceiling” prospect who is several years away from the big leagues. His 2026 season will likely be spent in the Dominican Summer League, where the focus will be on transitioning to the professional grind and tightening his zone awareness. If the hit tool develops to match the physical power, Chavez has the ingredients to be a middle-of-the-order run producer for the Rangers down the road.

#29 Maxton Martin – OF

6’1”, 205 lbs | B/T: L/R | Age: 20 | Acquired: 11th Round (2023)

Background: Drafted out of Southridge High School (WA) in 2023, Maxton Martin has steadily climbed the ladder by leaning on a professional approach at the plate. The 20-year-old put together a breakout 2025 campaign, primarily with the Hickory Crawdads, where he hit .259/.343/.440 with 12 home runs and 64 RBI in 102 games. His consistency earned him Carolina League Player of the Week honors three times (April, June, and August). His April award was particularly dominant, as he hit .522 (12-for-23) with five extra-base hits during that span. Martin capped his season with a promotion to High-A Hub City in August, where his discipline translated immediately, posting a .385 OBP and an .873 OPS over his final 14 games.

​Tools: Martin possesses a high-IQ approach and a sweet left-handed swing that produces line drives to all fields. His 2025 season showed a significant jump in extra-base power, as he led the organization in doubles (27) and finished with 14 total home runs. While he isn’t a “burner” on the basepaths, he is an efficient runner, going a perfect 13-for-13 in stolen base attempts with Hickory. Defensively, he has shown the versatility to handle the two corner outfield spots and even some first base, though his future likely lies in a corner outfield role where his steady bat can carry the profile.

​Outlook: After a successful cup of coffee in High-A to end 2025, Martin will likely return to Hub City to begin the 2026 season. If he continues to keep the strikeout rate manageable while maintaining the power surge he found last year, a mid-season promotion to Double-A Frisco is well within reach. As a former 11th-round pick, Martin is quickly transforming from a “depth piece” into a legitimate major league prospect.

#28 Gleider Figueroa – 3B

​6’0”, 165 lbs | B/T: L/R | Age: 21 | Acquired: IFA (2021)

Background: Originally signed as an international free agent in 2021 out of the Dominican Republic, Gleider Figuereo spent the entire 2025 season with the High-A Hub City Spartanburgers. While he set a career-high with 62 RBI and maintained double-digit home run production (18), his overall offensive game struggled to find a sustainable rhythm. Across 113 games, he slashed .201/.287/.353/.640, showing the gap between his raw power and his ability to put the ball in play consistently against High-A pitching.

​Tools: The primary concern with Figuereo remains a high-effort approach that leads to excessive swing-and-miss. He has now struck out at least 130 times in three consecutive seasons, and his walk rate (44 walks in 2025) has not shown the necessary growth to offset those empty trips to the plate. While he can still punish a mistake—as evidenced by his 20-homer campaign in 2024—his difficulty with advanced sequencing has limited his overall impact. Defensively, Figuereo features a plus arm that is suited for third base. He showed improved control of the “routine” plays in 2025, finishing the year with a .962 fielding percentage and just nine errors.

​Outlook: Figuereo enters 2026 as a “boom-or-bust” prospect who needs to prove he can make the adjustments necessary to handle more advanced pitching. The power is his best path to the big leagues, but without a significant reduction in his strikeout rate or a sharper eye at the plate, his utility at the upper levels will be limited. He likely returns to Hub City to start the year, with the organization looking for him to rediscover the contact-oriented approach that initially put him on the radar.

​#27 Santiago Ramirez – C

​5’10”, 190 lbs | B/T: R/R | Age: 17 | Acquired: IFA (2026)

​Background: Signed for $375,000 out of Maracay, Venezuela, Santiago Ramirez enters the Rangers’ organization as one of the most well-rounded catching prospects in the 2026 international class. Rangers General Manager Ross Fenstermaker highlighted Ramirez’s high floor, calling him a “rare complete package on both offense and defense” and noting his high-energy style of play. With a stocky, durable frame, Ramirez has already drawn comparisons to current big-league catchers like Alejandro Kirk and Moisés Ballesteros for his ability to pair elite bat-to-ball skills with significant power potential.

​Tools: Ramirez is heralded for his “cannon of an arm” and high accuracy behind the dish, which should allow him to control the run game effectively as he begins his professional career. Offensively, he features strong, quick hands and an advanced eye for the strike zone that is rare for a 17-year-old. His knack for making consistent, hard contact in games from the right side of the plate makes him an “offense-first” profile, but the club is equally high on his defensive ceiling and his ability to lead a pitching staff.

​Outlook: The Rangers believe Ramirez is well-positioned for immediate success as he likely makes his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League later this year. Given Fenstermaker’s belief that Ramirez has the ability to be one of the best catching prospects in his class, he is a high-priority follow for 2026. If his gifted hit tool translates to the professional ranks as expected, he could quickly solidify himself as a top-tier catching prospect within the organization.

#26 Paulino Santana – OF

​6’2”, 180 lbs | B/T: R/R | Age: 19 | Acquired: IFA (2024)

​Background: Signed as the “crown jewel” of the Rangers’ 2024 international class for $1,297,500, Paulino Santana entered the system with massive expectations. He lived up to them in his professional debut, posting a phenomenal .292/.465/.364/.829 line in the Dominican Summer League while recording more walks (52) than strikeouts (38). However, his first stateside season in 2025 provided a steeper challenge. Across 74 games between the Arizona Complex League and Single-A Hickory, Santana slashed .255/.330/.395/.725. While he tapped into more power—hitting his first five professional home runs in the ACL—his plate discipline regressed against more advanced pitching, resulting in 94 strikeouts compared to 25 walks.

​Tools: Santana remains an incredibly toolsy athlete with the physical frame to support a middle-of-the-order profile. His best asset remains his speed and athleticism; he followed up a 20-steal debut with 11 more swipes in 2025. Defensively, he has shown the versatility to handle all three outfield spots, and the Rangers remain confident he has the range to stick in center field long-term. At the plate, Santana possesses elite bat speed and strong exit velocities (peaking over 112 mph), but his current challenge is refined pitch recognition. As he matures, the goal will be to marry the elite discipline he showed in the DSL with the raw power that began to surface in Arizona.

​Outlook: After a brief 18-game introduction to the Carolina League to end 2025, Santana will likely return to Hickory to begin the 2026 season. If Santana can rediscover his patient approach and continue to add strength to his lean 6’2″ frame, he has the ceiling of a five-tool everyday outfielder.

​#25 Paxton Kling – OF

​6’2”, 210 lbs | B/T: R/R | Age: 22 | Acquired: 2025 Draft (Round 7)

​Background: The Rangers may have found a steal in the 7th round of the 2025 draft with Paxton Kling. After two inconsistent seasons at LSU, Kling transferred to Penn State for his junior year and saw a massive jump in production, slashing .358/.470/.632 with 13 home runs and 15 steals. That momentum followed him into his pro debut; he hit the ground running at Single-A Hickory with a staggering .368/.395/.605/1.001 line in 10 games. While his numbers leveled off during an 11-game stint at High-A Hub City .244/.320/.311/.631, the small sample size shouldn’t diminish the excitement.

​Tools: Kling is a plus runner with above-average arm strength, making him a natural fit in center field where he played the majority of his games in 2025. His 6’2”, 210-pound frame generates easy raw power, and he showed an improved ability to drive the ball to all fields during his breakout junior season. Defensively, he is a reliable glove who didn’t commit an error in his brief pro debut, and his arm strength gives him the versatility to handle right field if the Rangers eventually need him to move to a corner.

​Outlook: Despite being a 7th-round pick, Kling’s production suggests he could be one of the faster-moving college bats in the system. He’ll likely start the 2026 season back at High-A Hub City to get a longer look at more advanced pitching. If he can maintain the barrel control he found at Penn State and his early Hickory stint, a mid-season promotion to Double-A Frisco is a very realistic possibility. Kling is a name that likely won’t stay under the radar for much longer.

​#24 Anthony Gutierrez – OF

​6’3”, 180 lbs | B/T: R/R | Age: 21 | Acquired: IFA (2022)

​Background: It feels like Anthony Gutierrez has been a fixture in the Rangers’ system for years, having signed as a top international priority back in 2022. Now 21, Gutierrez is coming off a 2025 season where he stayed healthy and productive, appearing in a career-high 89 games. He posted a .258/.333/.320/.653 slash line, and while the over-the-fence power hasn’t arrived yet (2 HR), he has become a nightmare for opposing pitchers on the basepaths. Gutierrez walked a career-high 31 times and utilized that on-base ability to swipe a staggering 48 bases, bringing his two-season total to 91.

​Tools: Gutierrez is a premier athlete whose game is built on speed and defensive instinct. He uses long, gliding strides to cover massive amounts of ground in center field, where he consistently gets elite reads and jumps. His plus arm strength remains a weapon; he has registered 22 assists over his first four professional seasons, including several highlight-reel throws in 2025. While he committed four errors last year, his range remains among the best in the system. At the plate, he has a lean, projectable frame, but he is currently a hit-over-power prospect who relies on a line-drive approach and his elite wheels to create havoc.

​Outlook: After showing he can be an elite run-creator at the Single-A and High-A levels, Gutierrez will likely push for a spot in Double-A Frisco in 2026. The next step in his evolution is turning those “gliding strides” into more extra-base damage. If he can add the necessary strength to turn some of those 28 RBIs into double-digit home run totals, he has the ceiling of a dynamic, top-of-the-order center fielder who can impact the game in every phase.

#23 Carter Baumler – RHP

6’2″, 195 lbs | B/T: R/R | Age: 24 | Acquired: Trade with Pirates Dec 2025

Background: Carter Baumler was a Rule 5 pick in this year’s draft that was promptly traded to the Rangers. Injuries have been the story of his career, but he pitched a career high 39.2 innings in 2025.

Mix: The best pitch of Baumler’s mix is his fastball that he gets great ride on from his low 25 degree arm slot, and has a really nice tight downer curveball that’s effective against both handedness of hitters. Data from 2023 after recovering from injury has his velocity in the ~93 mph range, but he’s reportedly touched 98 mph in 2025. Baumler averages 16.2” of vertical break and 8.6” arm-side run on his fastball, and gets a tremendous approach angle of -4.0 degrees. His curveball averages -13.3” vertical break and -5.9” glove-side sweep, a massive difference to his fastball shape. He also throws a seldomly used slider that is a couple steps behind his top 2 offerings. His slider is a tight gyro shape that gets 5.1” vertical break and -3.1” glove-side break. It’s not his preferred strikeout pitch, but the batted ball numbers on the slider are quite decent.

Outlook: Baumler is a true relief prospect who controls his top 2 offerings very well, so it will be very interesting to see how he performs this spring and how the Rangers plan to use him. With how the Rangers bullpen is shaping up, there is definitely opportunity for Baumler to make an impact if he seizes the opportunity.

#22 Marc Church – RHP

6’3″, 189 lbs | B/T: R/R | Age: 24 | Acquired: 2019 Draft (Round 18)

Background: Marc Church is a fascinating story. A shortstop in his first 3 years of high school, Church tried out pitching after being bet that he couldn’t hit 88 on his fastball. He responded by hitting 90, and eventually signed out of high school with the Rangers for an over-slot $300,000 in 2019. Church made his major league debut in one outing in 2024 after shoulder injuries took away most of his season. Church made the Opening Day roster in 2025, and made 5 appearances before injuries once again reared its head in the form of oblique and elbow inflammation issues.

Mix: Church is primarily a 2 pitch pitcher with his fastball and slider, but he also worked on adding a splitter in the 2024 AFL that showed impressive flashes. He has pretty similar usage between the fastball and slider, but we’ll talk about the fastball first. Church averaged 96.1 on his fastball in 2025 and can max out at 99 with 17.7” vertical break and 2.5” arm-side run. The approach angles on his fastball play better at the bottom of the zone and also happen to set up his best pitch. Church’s slider averaged 86.7 mph and had 4.8” vertical break and -2.3” glove-side break. Church gets a vertical approach angle of -7.8 degrees and got a whiff% of 38.1% in his very limited 2025 innings. Church’s splitter averaged 91.3 with 9.5” vertical break and 12.4” arm-side run. The shape objectively isn’t anything mind-blowing, but it gets a similarly impressive approach angle to his slider which will help it play at the bottom of the zone.

Outlook: Church is one of the more frustrating prospects in the Rangers system through no fault of his own, he just can’t stay healthy. If, and that’s a big if, he is able to stay healthy in 2026, he’ll once again have a chance to make the Opening Day roster. If he does, then he’ll need to throw more strikes than he did in 2025, because even though a 3.86 ERA looks decent, a 44.7% Zone% on your fastball is never going to be your friend in the big leagues. 

#21 Braylin Morel – OF

​6’2”, 180 lbs | B/T: R/R | Age: 20 | Acquired: IFA (2023)

​Background: Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2023, Braylin Morel is a physical outfielder who has shown flashes of offensive potential across the lower levels. Morel split his 2025 season between the Arizona Complex League and Single-A Hickory. Across 37 games in the ACL, he slashed .268/.302/.423/.725 with three home runs and 17 RBI. However, his transition to the Carolina League was a tougher test; in 24 games with Hickory, he slashed .233/.278/.356/.634, managing two home runs while facing more refined pitching.

​Tools: Morel features a quick right-handed stroke and a strong 6’2” frame. While he has shown the ability to drive the ball for extra bases—collecting 32 in the DSL during his debut—his over-the-fence power is still catching up to his physical strength at the full-season level. His current offensive profile is defined by a high-frequency approach, resulting in 66 strikeouts against just 10 walks across both levels in 2025. Defensively, Morel has spent the majority of his time in right field, where his arm strength is a natural asset, tallying four assists last season. He has also logged innings in left and center, showing the versatility to handle multiple spots across the grass despite four errors in 2025.

​Outlook: As he enters his age-20 season, the focus for Morel will be tightening his strike zone and improving his pitch recognition. His 2025 campaign showed that while the raw tools are there, he still needs to cut down on a strikeout rate that climbed during his time in Hickory. He is likely to return to Single-A to begin 2026, where the Rangers will look for him to leverage his strength into more consistent damage and more patient plate appearances.

#20 Frandel Pineda – RHP

6’2″, 175 lbs | B/T: R/R | Age: 17 | Acquired: IFA (2026)

Background: Frandel Pineda is the nephew of former big leaguer Michael Pineda, and is one of the newest signings by the Rangers in their 2026 international free agent class. He played shortstop in his younger years, but has since made the move to the mound and possesses a lot of the interesting traits his uncle did. Pineda is a great athlete who moves down the mound with smooth motion, repeats his delivery well, and has a whippy arm action. He has a low arm angle relative to his height that helps him create deception against hitters.

Mix: Pineda’s fastball currently sits in the 92-94 range peaking at 95. Scouts believe that there’s plenty of room for increased velocity as Pineda continues to refine his delivery and add strength in his later years. Pineda also throws a sweeping slider in the 83-85 range that he can sometimes struggle to command, but gets great results when he does land it. Pineda also throws a changeup, but it’s certainly lagging behind the other two in terms of quality at this point.

Outlook: Pineda is 17 years old so it’s too early to make a long term prognosis on him, but he has a very projectable frame and 9 years and 1,000 strikeouts worth of MLB experience in his corner to guide him. Pineda will certainly be one to keep a close eye on once he enters the professional ranks to see how fast of a riser he can be.

#19 Seong-Jun Kim – TWP

6’2″, 185 lbs | B/T: R/R | Age:18 | Acquired: IFA (2025)

Background: Seong-Jun Kim signed to the Rangers in the 2025 international free agent class for $1.2 million. The 18 year old is a two-way player and played a few games in the Dominican Summer League for the Rangers this year after graduating from high school in Korea.

Mix: There’s a split on what path to the big leagues is the fastest for Kim’s future, but the general consensus seems to be pitching. In high school, it was reported that Kim threw a fastball, slider, splitter, and curveball, but as of right now the Rangers just have Kim working with his fastball and slider to further refine those pitches. He sits in the low 90s on his fastball, and has seen it get up to 95. His slider sits in the low 80s and is more of a fringe-average shape at the moment.

Outlook: At just 18 years of age, there needs to be some patience with players like Kim who still have time to refine pitch mixes, fill out in the weight room, improve mechanics, etc. before you can put a scouting report of starter or reliever on them. It is certainly too early to tell for Kim, but he’ll likely see playing time stateside this year which will provide a clearer vision on the path the Rangers see for him.

#18 Josh Trentadue – LHP

6’2″, 185 lbs | B/T: L/L| Age: 24 | Acquired: 2023 Draft (14th Round)

Background: Josh Trentadue was a Division III pitcher to begin his career. After transferring to play 2 seasons of Juco in Idaho, he was drafted in the 14th round of the 2023 MLB Draft. In discussing with a source inside the organization, the Rangers really loved Trentadue in the draft with the biggest thing that stood out being his ability to hide the ball well which helped his fastball really play. He only averaged 88 on his fastball in college, but the Rangers saw an opportunity to add more velocity once integrating him into a professional setting. 

Mix: Trentadue’s mix is headlined by his fastball which averages 93, but peaked at 97 in 2025. It’s a powerful weapon that he pairs with 2 secondary pitches that improved a ton in 2025. He has a sweeping slider that he throws in the low 80s and a mid 80s changeup that gets good sink. Trentadue gets really good extension and is very athletic getting down the mound. He improved both of his secondary pitches in 2025, and if that trend continues it bodes well for Trentadue being able to stick as a starter long term.

Outlook: Josh Trentadue made big strides in each offseason he’s had since being drafted, and it’s helped improve his projections. If he can continue down this path he has potential to be a number 4 starter eventually. The one thing to keep an eye on are the walk numbers. After improving from 15.4% in 2023 to 8.5% at the high-A level in 2025, once Trentadue got his promotion to AA Frisco he saw that number jump back up to 15%. Very interesting arm to keep an eye on.

#17 Dalton Pence – LHP

6’2″, 215 lbs | B/T: L/L | Age: 23 | Acquired: 2024 Draft (11th Round)

Background: The scouting report on Dalton Pence coming into the 2024 draft was that he was a reliever prospect with below average control and used his fastball 80% of the time. Fast forward to 2025, and Dalton Pence is one of the most underrated starting pitching prospects in the Rangers farm. Since entering pro ball, Pence refined his mix and is seeing the results this year in Hub City. In his first full season of his professional career, Pence put up a 2.73 ERA across low and high A (1.55 in Hub City) and carved up hitters at a rate of 31.5%.

Mix: Pence’s main pitch remains his fastball that has elite induced vertical break (up to 23” vertical break) that allows it to play up despite low 90’s velocity. Pence also has a low 80s cutter/slider (they have a tendency to blend together), a splitter with similar velocity that showed some good flashes in 2025, and a curveball that needs some work. There’s a lot to love about Pence’s mix and the potential that is yet to be realized. After seeing tremendous success starting, there’s no reason for Pence to go back to the bullpen so now the work begins on refining his mix to remain a starter long term as he advances in the Rangers farm. With the blurred slider shape I would imagine eventually the Rangers try and split it into a sweeper and more defined cutter shape to give more stability to Pence’s mix and maybe even add a sinker, but  it’s so early in Pence’s career that we really won’t get a clear vision on what the Rangers want to do with Pence until he reaches AA.

Outlook: Pence’s emergence was overshadowed by the results shown by David Davalillo, Caden Scarborough, and Leandro Lopez, but Dalton Pence deserves to be right there in the conversation with those guys and is primed for a big breakout in 2026 if he keeps up the momentum from his 2025. Like previously mentioned, it was thought that Pence would end up in the bullpen, but after the year he had he’s a starter until further notice and could even be a number 4 starter if he continues on this path.

​#16 Malcolm Moore – C

​6’0”, 216 lbs | B/T: L/R | Age: 22 | Acquired: 2024 Draft (Round 1)

​Background: Malcolm Moore was the 30th overall pick in the 2024 draft and remains the top-ranked catcher in the Rangers system. He arrived with a massive offensive reputation from Stanford University, where he posted a .967 OPS with 16 home runs in his final season. However, his professional transition has been difficult. After a 25-game debut in 2024, Moore’s 2025 campaign was sidetracked by injuries that limited him to just 62 games. He struggled to find consistency between the ACL and Hub City, finishing with a combined .195/.300/.276/.576 line, followed by a quiet stint in the Arizona Fall League.

​Tools: Moore’s primary tool is his left-handed bat. While his minor league average and power numbers have been disappointing so far, his ability to draw walks remains a strength, as seen in his .300 on-base percentage during a down year. Defensively, he is still developing his game behind the plate. He threw out 18% of base stealers in 2025, though that number is influenced by the high-volume running environment of the lower minors. The Rangers believe that with better health, his overall receiving and offensive impact will return to the levels he showed in college.

​Outlook: 2026 is a significant season for Moore to prove he can handle the rigors of professional catching. At 22, he needs a full, injury-free year to reclaim the power stroke that made him a first-round talent. He will likely return to High-A Hub City to start the season. If he can stay on the field and tap back into the power he displayed at Stanford, he remains a key part of the organization’s long-term catching depth.

​#15 Elian Rosario – OF/3B

​6’2”, 195 lbs | B/T: R/R | Age: 17 | Acquired: IFA (2026)

​Background: Elian Rosario is the center-piece of the Rangers’ 2026 international signing class, joining the organization with a 2.5 million dollar bonus. This is the most significant investment the club has made in a single international prospect since they signed Sebastian Walcott in 2023. At just 17 years old, the Dominican Republic native already stands out for his physical maturity, possessing a 195-pound frame that is built for the long haul. He arrives with a reputation for being a fierce competitor who has logged significant game experience at a young age, displaying a level of poise and maturity that often eludes players in his age bracket.

​Tools: The hallmark of Rosario’s game is his natural strength. He produces high exit velocities—routinely clearing 100 mph—with a swing that is designed to drive the ball deep into the gaps and over the fence. While his power is his most obvious attribute, he pairs it with an increasingly patient approach, showing a willingness to work counts and punish mistakes rather than chasing out of the zone. Defensively, Rosario’s background as a shortstop gives him the coordination and footwork to handle the hot corner, where his above-average arm strength is a clear asset. However, as his body continues to widen and add muscle, he appears destined for a corner outfield spot, where his arm and offensive profile would fit perfectly in right field.

​Outlook: Rosario has the ceiling of an offensive regular, with the potential to eventually provide 20 or more home runs while maintaining a respectable batting average. His path through the system will likely begin in the Dominican Summer League, where the Rangers will look to refine his contact consistency as he faces professional sequencing. If he can maintain his current level of discipline while his raw power continues to manifest, he could quickly become one of the more dominant hitters in the lower levels of the farm system.

#14 Izack Tiger – RHP

6’2″, 175 lbs | B/T: R/R | Age: 25 | Acquired: 2023 Draft (7th Round)

Background: Izack Tiger spent the entirety of his collegiate career at Butler Junior College in Kansas. He broke the school record for single-season strikeouts (121) in his final year of college and became the highest draft pick in school history when the Rangers took him in the 7th round in 2023. He signed for $180,000 and got his first pro action in Down East in 2024. He pitched 46 innings that 2024 season before tearing his UCL and getting Tommy John surgery that also cost him his entire 2025.

Mix: When Tiger is healthy, the stuff is loud. His four-seam fastball sits 95-97 and topped out at 100. Initially scouts labeled it as flat, but after watching several of Izack’s 2024 outings it has plenty of life in the zone. He throws a slider in the upper 80s that gets a lot of whiffs, and he also throws an upper 80s splitter that the Rangers had him start throwing once he got to pro ball. Tiger is a very interesting prospect in that he’ll be 25 when the season starts and only have 61.2 career professional innings.

Outlook: If Tiger wants to stick as a starter there are certainly opportunities to expand his mix with a cutter and curveball, but those would take time to develop. The most likely outcome we see is the Rangers use Tiger out of the bullpen to help streamline his development to higher levels of competition, and potentially keep that starter potential in the back pocket. If he does stick in the bullpen, Tiger has a chance to be an incredibly fast riser if he maintains his stuff after his injury.

​#13 Dylan Dreiling – OF

​5’11”, 197 lbs | B/T: L/L | Age: 22 | Acquired: 2024 Draft (Round 2)

​Background: Dylan Dreiling was selected by the Rangers in the second round of the 2024 draft following a standout performance at the University of Tennessee. He was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2024 College World Series, where he hit .541 with three home runs over six games to help lead the Volunteers to a national title. After a brief 24-game debut in Hickory, he spent most of 2025 at the High-A level with Hub City. In 110 games with the Spartanburgers, he slashed .226/.319/.381 with 12 home runs and 62 RBI. He finished his season with a strong stint in the Arizona Fall League, hitting .271 with a home run and eight RBI in 14 games.

​Tools: Dreiling’s offensive profile is defined by a very disciplined approach at the plate. He is patient and selective, which led to a team-high 58 walks last season, but his tendency to work deep counts also resulted in 101 strikeouts. He has a compact left-handed swing and has shown the ability to drive the ball with authority, recording raw power exit velocities as high as 111 mph. Defensively, he is a high-effort player who spent the majority of his time in center and left field, though he also made 4 appearances in right field during the 2025 season. While he is a capable runner with 15 stolen bases last year, his arm strength and overall range suggest he will likely settle in as a corner outfielder as he advances.

​Outlook: Dreiling’s assignment for the start of the 2026 season will be a key indicator of how the Rangers view his development. While his second-round pedigree and age might suggest a move to Double-A Frisco, his high strikeout rate and the need for more consistent contact may lead the Rangers to have him repeat High-A Hub City. The power is clearly present, but he must find a way to put the ball in play more frequently. If he can bridge the gap between his patient eye and his high swing-and-miss rate, he has the potential to become a productive left-handed bat in a major league outfield.

​#12 Cameron Cauley – SS/OF/2B

​5’11”, 170 lbs | B/T: R/R | Age: 23 | Acquired: 2021 Draft (Round 3)

​Background: Cameron Cauley spent the entire 2025 season with the Frisco RoughRiders, where he became one of the organization’s most versatile contributors. Despite being eligible for the Rule 5 Draft in December, the Rangers did not add him to the 40-man roster, and he surprisingly went unselected by the rest of the league. Entering his sixth season, the former Texas high school standout remains a unique piece in the system, coming off a season where he matched his career high in home runs and continued to be a constant threat on the bases.

​Tools: Cauley’s game is built on his ability to impact the game in several ways. In 113 games last year, he hit 15 home runs and stole 28 bases while slashing .253/.325/.448/.773. While he walked 47 times, his aggressive approach led to 121 strikeouts, a number he will need to bring down to succeed at the next level. Defensively, he is a steady and reliable presence who has shown the range and hands to handle shortstop, second base, and center field. From watching him in person in Frisco, his ability to make difficult plays at premium positions is clear, and he provides the kind of defensive flexibility that is rare for a player with his power and speed.

​Outlook: After five minor league seasons, Cauley has hit .240/.317/.403/.721 with 44 home runs, 189 RBI, and 139 stolen bases. He is likely headed to Triple-A Round Rock to begin the 2026 season. The focus will be on refining his plate discipline to ensure he can get on base enough to utilize his speed. If he can maintain his defensive reliability across several positions while cutting down on the swing-and-miss, he could find himself in a major league utility role soon.

#11 Josh Owens – TWP

6’3″, 185 lbs | B/T: L/R | Age: 19 | Acquired: 2025 Draft (3rd Round)

Background: Josh Owens was the Rangers 3rd round pick out of Tennessee in the 2025 draft. Owens is a legit two-way player that scouts see impressive traits of both on the mound and in the batter’s box. Some publications differ on if he’ll eventually gravitate towards a specific side or if he can do both, but it’s very early in his development so those questions will be answered in due time.

Mix: Talking about Josh Owens, the pitcher specifically, he throws 3 pitches. He throws a fastball he averages 94 on that has some big arm-side run thanks to his super low release. He also throws a sinker and a slider. He drops a few mph on his sinker and throws it 90-91 and it averages around 0” vertical break which I find very interesting. His slider is in the 83-84 range and is more of a short sweeper shape. Owens has a release height of 4.6’ and repeats his delivery well. Owens pitched 4 scoreless innings over 2 starts to end the year in Hickory.

Outlook: The general consensus on Josh Owens seems to be split. Some people think he has middle of the rotation potential, some think his mix and delivery have him destined for the bullpen, and some people think he’ll end up dropping pitching all together in favor of the bat. Regardless of your opinion of Owens, it’s simply too early in his career to make a declaration on what his future looks like. Time will tell over the course of his first full professional season next year, and the picture will start to get clearer.

#10 Leandro Lopez – RHP

6’1″, 200 lbs | B/T: R/R | Age: 23 | Acquired: IFA (2021)

Background: Leandro Lopez (the artist formerly known as Leandro Calderon) is a right-handed pitcher out of the Dominican Republic who signed in the Texas Rangers 2021 international free agent class. He spent the ’21 and ’22 seasons playing in the Dominican Summer League. After posting impressive 2022 numbers, he played stateside in 2023 at Single-A Down East where he finished the year with a 3.32 ERA in 57 innings pitched, along with 79 strikeouts to 38 walks. An injury riddled 2024 limited him to only 13 innings, but he came back in 2025 with a vengeance. In his 2025 season he posted a 2.40 ERA in 101.1 innings with 116 strikeouts to 41 walks. He also limited hitters to a .197 batting average against, and a 1.11 WHIP.

Mix: Lopez sports a 5 pitch mix. He throws a fastball, sinker, slider, changeup, and a curveball. He mainly threw his fastball, sinker, slider, and curveball in 2025, but as the year went on he got more and more confident in his changeup. He’ll get up to 98 on both his fastballs, but usually sits around 94-96. His gyro slider sits in the high 80’s, and his curveball that can reach 3,000 RPM ranges anywhere from 79 to 84. Lopez has a very smooth and repeatable delivery which has helped him make drastic improvements on the command side of his game. Lopez gets an above average vertical break of 17.2” on his fastball, but his approach angles are what sets it apart. Lopez throws from an arm angle of 57 degrees and release height of 6.7’ which typically translates to lower approach angles. Approach angle refers to the angle at which a pitch crosses home plate. Lopez’s vertical approach angle on his fastball is -5.4 degrees. The Major League average for right-handers is -4.7 degrees. There isn’t one particular direction, flatter or steeper, that is objectively better. However, you certainly want to live as far away from the average as possible, as that’s how you get unique shapes. Lopez’s approach angle of -5.4 degrees means that his fastball crosses the plate -0.7 degrees steeper than the Major League average—meaning his fastball crosses the plate with a lower angle than hitters expect, which combined with good location at the top and bottom of the zone is how Lopez was able to generate a 33% whiff rate on his fastball at the AA level this season. His sinker is a power sinker that averages 15.7” vertical break and 12.8” arm-side run. It’s never been a put-away pitch for him, but he likes to use it early in counts to right handed hitters to try and induce ground balls. His curveball is a big breaker that averages -14.7” vertical break and -1.7” glove-side sweep and sports a -9.7 vertical approach angle, which is slightly steeper than Major League average. It’s not his go-to whiff pitch, but the batted ball numbers on it are quite good due to him locating it very well below the zone. His gyro slider is his main strikeout pitch and averages 5.3” vertical break and -3.1” glove-side sweep. Lastly is his changeup, which averages 5.5” vertical break and 10.7” arm-side tumble. Lopez doesn’t get outlier drop on his changeup, but from that high arm slot his changeup plays up due to the approach angle difference in comparison to his fastball.

Outlook: There seems to be a general consensus that Lopez is destined for the bullpen when he reaches the major leagues, but until he proves that he’s not, Leandro Lopez is a starting pitcher prospect. Lopez has improved his command year over year, and there’s no reason to believe if he continues on that trajectory that he can’t eventually find himself in the middle of a big league rotation.

#9 Emiliano Teodo – RHP

6’1″, 165 lbs | B/T: R/R | Age: 25 | Acquired: IFA (2020)

Background: Emiliano Teodo is another arm from the 2019 international signing class, Teodo, signing for $10,000. After a breakout 2024, Teodo dealt with injury for a majority of the 2025 season which had him constantly out of rhythm. This injury trouble is what has people believing it was a fluke season, but 2026 has the feel of a make or break season for Teodo on if he can be a back-end bullpen arm or if his command will keep him from high leverage situations. 

Mix: Teodo didn’t have much pitching experience coming out of the Dominican Republic, but his velocity created a lot of intrigue with scouts. Teodo’s four-seam fastball sat comfortably in the high-90’s while touching 103. However, at higher velocity it was found that the pitch flattened out a lot and was ineffective at missing bats. In July of 2023 Teodo made the switch to a two-seam fastball which completely turned his season around, striking out 57 in his final 37.2 innings of the season. Teodo was able to maintain much of the velocity his four-seam carried, but was able to generate devastating arm-side run of 15.3”. Teodo pairs his heater with a tight breaking ball that averages 86 and has 0.5” vertical break and -0.9” glove-side sweep. He’s shown vast improvement in its command in 2024, and it proves to be a good weapon for him in the future. Teodo’s last pitch is a changeup that, despite working to improve it in his 2024 campaign, doesn’t figure to be anything better than average at best. 

Outlook: Teodo did not have a single outing in 2024 where he recorded zero walks, and that trend didn’t get any better in 2025 as he put up a BB% of 19.5%. It’s an issue that will continue to be the biggest talking point for Teodo when discussing his future. His stuff is filthy, but time will tell if he can earn the trust to pitch in high leverage situations in 2026.

#8 Yolfran Castillo – SS/3B

​6’3”, 165 lbs | B/T: R/R | Age: 19 | Acquired: IFA (2024)

​Background: Yolfran Castillo has quickly become one of the most talked-about international signings in the Rangers’ system. Signed out of Venezuela in January 2024 for a $647,500 bonus, he made an immediate impact by hitting his way out of the Dominican Summer League after just 20 games. After finishing 2024 in the Arizona Complex League, Castillo spent the majority of 2025 back in the ACL before earning a late-season promotion to Single-A Hickory. Across 88 total games last year, he showed his ability to handle advanced pitching as an 18-year-old, concluding his season with a 28-game stint in full-season ball.

​Tools: The calling card for Castillo is his elite bat-to-ball ability. He possesses a smooth right-handed swing and a disciplined eye, as shown by his combined 2025 slash line of .258/.315/.352/.667. While he only hit one home run last season, his 6-foot-3 frame suggests significant power potential as he fills out. He is also a major threat on the bases, totaling 29 stolen bases between the ACL and Hickory last year. Defensively, he is a natural shortstop with soft hands and a strong arm, though the Rangers have also given him looks at third base. His range and “internal clock” make him one of the most polished defensive infielders for his age in the organization.

​Outlook: Castillo enters 2026 as a prime breakout candidate. He will likely return to Single-A to continue his physical development and focus on turning his high contact rate into more extra-base authority. If he can add the necessary strength to drive the ball more consistently, his combination of a high-end hit tool and defensive reliability at shortstop gives him a very high ceiling. He is on a long-term developmental path, but his performance against older competition so far has been incredibly encouraging for his future as a regular on the left side of the infield.

#7 AJ Russell – RHP

Background: AJ Russell had a stellar 2023 season at Tennessee before needing to miss the entirety of 2024 due to an elbow injury. Russell returned in 2025 where he pitched 25.1 innings to the tune of a 3.55 ERA. Despite not having the same results as his 2023 season, Russell’s 32.4% K% intrigued the Rangers enough to select him in the 2nd round of this year’s draft, paying him an over-slot $2.6 million.

Mix: Russell’s mix is headlined by his fastball. It’s a true 80-grade potential offering that is without a doubt the best fastball in the Rangers system from a pure metrics perspective. Russell averages 94 on his fastball with 14” of vertical break and 16.5” arm-side run from a 4.8’ release height. His approach angles are absurd as well, averaging -3.91 degrees and gets to -3.25 degrees to the upper third of the zone. In 2024 Russell saw a 42% whiff rate and 33% chase rate on his fastball. Russell also throws a low 80s slider with a ton of glove-side sweep. The shape is a bit inconsistent, but definitely has plus potential. He finishes his mix with a changeup that he throws in the mid 80s and has no issues using it against both right and left handed hitters, and a curveball he flashed in Arizona after the draft. One thing Russell will have to work on is finding his command again, as his previous two seasons were a step back for him in terms of walks. 

Outlook: Russell has the stuff to be a dominant frontline starter in the major leagues, but it all depends on his health. He only threw 70 innings across his 3 years of college, so his health and durability is a big question mark. If he can’t stick as a starter, then his fastball is definitely good enough to play in the back end of the bullpen. 

​#6 Elorky Rodriguez – 2B/OF

​5’10”, 185 lbs | B/T: L/R | Age: 18 | Acquired: IFA (2025)

​Background: Elorky Rodriguez was the primary focus of the Rangers’ 2025 international signing class, joining the organization for a $1,097,500 bonus on January 15. Hailing from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, the 18-year-old immediately lived up to the investment during his professional debut. Playing for DSL Rangers Red, he turned in one of the most productive seasons in the league, displaying a level of consistency and polish that is rare for a player in his first year.

​Tools: Rodriguez’s most impressive trait is his combination of contact and plate discipline. In 46 games last year, he hit .337/.473/.506/.979 with 6 home runs and 48 RBI. His ability to control the strike zone is evident in his 39 walks against just 38 strikeouts, a ratio that is particularly impressive for a teenage hitter. While he showed some power in the DSL, he is currently a hit-first prospect with a compact swing. He also provides defensive versatility, having logged time at second base and center field, as well as serving as a designated hitter.

​Outlook: After a dominant performance in the Dominican Summer League, I’d look for Rodriguez to make his stateside debut in 2026. While his advanced eye and production might tempt an aggressive promotion, he will likely start the season in the Arizona Complex League (ACL) to adjust to the speed of the game in the U.S. The upcoming year will be a test of how his approach translates against tougher competition on the mound. The focus will be on whether he can maintain his high on-base percentage and strikeout-to-walk ratio as he faces more experienced arms.

#5 Winston Santos – RHP

6’0″, 160 lbs | B/T: R/R | Age : 23 | Acquired: IFA (2019)

Background: Winston Santos was a 2019 international draft signing out of the Dominican Republic. Signing for just $10,000, Santos had to wait until 2021 to make his system debut due to the pandemic. Santos ran into his first hiccup in high-A ball in 2023 where he put up a 6.29 ERA. He made some mechanical adjustments heading into 2024, and it paid off with a breakout season that saw him earn a promotion to AA Frisco, pitch in the Futures Game, and earn a spot on the Rangers 40-man roster. Unfortunately most of his 2025 was taken away due to a stress reaction in his back. Santos ended up pitching 17.1 innings before the end of his 2025 regular season, including an end-of-season start in AAA Round Rock. Santos also pitched 18.1 innings in the AFL this year where he worked on adding two more pitches. 

Mix: Winston Santos’s mix is largely carried by his fastball. He averages 95-97 on it but hit 100 a few times in the AFL, and gets 15.1” vertical break and 10” arm-side run. He has an average approach angle with the pitch, but what helps it stand out is his ability to command it well at the top of the strike zone. He gets a good amount of natural cut and ride on his fastball, which means he gets more around the ball at release instead of getting through the ball. Cutting your fastball doesn’t make it an objectively better shape, but it does signal a pitcher’s ability to have a more diverse pitch mix. MLB pitch mixes as a whole have been rising for a while now, specifically there’s 35% more pitchers who throw 5 or more pitches in the MLB now than there was in 2019. Santos backs up his fastball with a gyro slider and a changeup. His slider resembles a cutter shape at times and gets 5” vertical break and -0.4 of glove-side sweep while averaging 84-86. His changeup consistency can vary but averages 7” vertical break and 12.3” arm-side run at 86-88. His changeup is the most inconsistent of the three, but does flash some solid late fade on occasion. Santos added two new pitches in his time in the AFL in 2025, a sinker and what looked like a sweeper, but was since corrected by a team source to be something different (unknown at this time). The sinker averaged 9.2” vertical break and 15.8” arm-side run, and averaged around 94. The new breaking ball was a bit slower in the 77-80 range and averaged 1.3” vertical break and -11” of glove-side sweep. Santos doesn’t particularly spin the ball with great efficiency, but it remains to be seen how the new breaking ball will continue to be tinkered with by Santos in 2026.

Outlook: Santos’s momentum from 2024 hit a speed bump in 2025, but he did good work at the end of the year to set himself up for a strong 2026 campaign. He has potential to be a starter at the back of the rotation, but if his additions to his pitch mix don’t stick, then he can be very capable coming out of the bullpen.

#4 David Davalillo – RHP

6’1″, 175 lbs | B/T: R/R | Age: 23 | Acquired: IFA (2022)

Background: David Davalillo was signed out of Venezuela by the New York Mets in 2021 for $30,000. That deal ended up being voided 2 months later, and the Rangers signed Davalillo for $10,000 in June of 2022. He spent 2 years playing in Rookie ball, aside from one start at Low-A Down East at the end of the 2023 season. Davalillo really burst onto the scene in 2024 when he put up a 1.88 ERA in 110.1 innings across Down East and High-A Hickory, striking out 113 and walking only 32. He carried that momentum into the 2025 season, throwing 107 innings across High-A Hub City and AA Frisco. Davalillo struck out 126 and walked 28 to the tune of a 2.44 ERA, 2.81 FIP, and a 0.93 WHIP. He held opponents to a staggering .182 batting average, along with a 29.6% K% and a 6.6% BB%.

Mix: Davalillo currently sports a six pitch mix. Prior to his promotion to Frisco, he throws a fastball, sinker, curveball, slider, and splitter. However, since he arrived in Frisco, he’s introduced a cutter into his repertoire as well which showed some promising early results to the tune of a 50% whiff rate during his first start. He throws both of his fastballs in the low to mid 90’s, and they’ll touch 96. His slider lives in the low 80’s, and his curveball is in the mid to high 70’s range. The splitter hovers in the mid 80’s, and his new cutter is pretty consistently in the 89-91 range. Davalillo’s best offering is his splitter, and it’s not difficult to see why. It’s a whiff machine (53% Whiff% in AA in 2025), and while it does have a slightly inconsistent shape at times (sometimes it can break glove-side), he locates it very well and is able to throw it just over 1,000 RPMs (which is one of the causes for the rare glove-side break). Davalillo is a very cerebral pitcher, and is renowned by many as the most pure pitcher in the Rangers system. He has a deep mix, and sequences and commands them very well. He can sometimes get a little too carried away with trying to find the perfect pitch that he can get himself into too many extended counts, but when Davalillo is in his groove you’ll find very few pitchers that can go toe to toe with him. 

Outlook: Most scouts seem to feel like Davalillo lacks a true plus pitch or that his weirdly athletic delivery limits his potential as a starter, but it’s undeniable that Davalillo has traits you just can’t teach and the deepest mix in the Rangers farm. Davalillo’s future is in his own hands, and if he’s able to keep performing at this level as he approaches AAA, then there’s no reason to believe that he can’t be a middle of the rotation starter down the line.

#3 Jose Corniell – RHP

6’3″, 165 lbs | B/T: R/R | Age: 23 | Acquired: Trade with Mariners 2020

Background: Jose Corniell was a 2019 international class signing by the Seattle Mariners. He was traded to the Rangers in 2020, and he put up middling results until his 2023 season where he won the Rangers Minor League pitcher of the year award. He hit a speed bump in 2024 where he suffered an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery, but he returned in the latter half of 2025 where his stellar results in AA led to a September call up and one cameo against the Guardians to end the season. His year finished with 18 innings in the Arizona Fall League.

Mix: Corniell throws 3 different fastballs. He throws a four-seam, sinker, and cutter (the sinker was added during his time in the AFL). He also throws a sweeper that is his best pitch, and a changeup. Scouts seem to feel like the sinker is the best of the three fastballs, but the other two have potential as well. His four-seam fastball doesn’t get crazy vertical break at 13.4”, but he gets slightly above average approach angles and the pitch will play better if he’s able to command it better at the top of the zone. The sinker gets good movement at 8.4” vertical break and 14.9” arm-side run and is in line with the average approach angle of Major League sinkers at -5.9 degrees. His cutter is a pitch he introduced in 2023, and has been working on refining since. Late in his time in the AFL is when he really began to see real progress with the cutter. The shape is fine; nothing to write home about, but has solid velocity and sets up a tunnel for his sweeper. His issue with the cutter has been his command. He has no issues landing it in the zone (55.1% Zone% in the AFL), but the issue was where he was putting it in the zone. Too many were left up in the zone, and led to very poor batted ball numbers on it. His last few outings saw a marked improvement on that front, but a pitch with a -6.3 degree VAA really needs to be located down in the zone to see real effectiveness. Lastly, he has a changeup that flashes, but the consistency is not there with the pitch yet. He’s able to kill spin well, and has great batted ball numbers on it, but the tumble he gets on it varies pitch to pitch and some of them have very similar movement to his sinker.

Outlook: Corniell is still only 22 years old, and made his MLB debut in 2025. The most likely scenario Corniell finds himself in for 2026 is to make a majority of his starts in AAA, but be available for the occasional spot start similar to Jack Leiter in 2024. Projections on Corniell vary from bullpen to back-end starter, but if he’s able to further refine his cutter and changeup, he can very easily find himself in the rotation conversation sooner rather than later. 

#2 Caden Scarborough – RHP

6’5″, 185 lbs | B/T: R/R | Age: 20 | Acquired: 2023 Draft (10th Round)

Background: Caden Scarborough was a pitcher who flew under the radar for most of his high school career, but the Rangers loved his projectable frame and were able to lure him away from his Dallas Baptist commitment. The Rangers signed Scarborough for an over-slot $515,000 after drafting him in the 6th round of the 2023 draft. It was a bit of a turbulent start to the year for Caden Scarborough, at the end of June he had an ERA of 4.23 and had not yet had an outing where he pitched beyond the 4th inning. After June, Scarborough went on an absolutely torrid run. In July, he posted a 1.40 ERA and only allowed 3 runs, 3 walks, and had 23 strikeouts in 19.1 innings. In August, he posted back-to-back scoreless outings of 6 and 5 innings respectively which led to Scarborough earning Carolina League Pitcher of the Week honors before earning a promotion to A+ Hub City. Across both Hickory and Hub City, Scarborough posted an ERA of 2.45, 2.94 FIP, 0.88 WHIP, .178 BAA, 33.2% K%, and a 6.1% BB%.

Mix: Scarborough struggled mightily with command during his 2024 debut season, as he put up a 17% walk rate in his 10.1 innings; a season shortened by a strained lat issue. Coming into 2025 however, it was apparent that Scarborough was primed for a breakout year. He added 30 pounds to his 6-foot-5 frame, and it came with increased velocity on his fastball. He went from sitting around 89-91 to now regularly hitting 92-95 topping out at 97, and there’s still more velocity to be had as he continues to fill out his frame. Scarborough’s fastball shines due to his elite extension of 6.7′, as well as the carry and run he’s able to generate from his low release height of 5.2′. It has more of a running two-seam shape as he averages 14” vertical break and 15” arm-side run. He has a sweeper that can sometimes be inconsistent in shape, but it’s improved tremendously over just this one season. He averages around 82 mph on the pitch, and it grades out above average with potential to be ++ and he’s able to locate it very well. His sweeper averages -1” vertical break and 16” of glove-side sweep. His third pitch is a splitter he averages 84 on and has been getting better and better as the year’s gone on. It has a bit of an inconsistent shape, but there are moments where you really can see the depth he’s able to achieve. He averages -4” vertical break and 12” arm-side run on his splitter. At the moment it’s more of a soft contact pitch vs chasing whiffs, but because of the arm speed Scarborough is able to generate, it still has good potential.

Outlook: Caden Scarborough came into the season as the player who was most primed for a breakout season, and I think it’s safe to say that he delivered. What Scarborough needs to work on in order of priority is: work on his game stamina, develop one or two more pitches for his mix, and work on consistency with the splitter shape. After talking with a member of the Rangers organization, it was clear that the intention is there to add more to Scarborough’s mix eventually. However, they’re not going to rush his development, especially after his age 20 season. There’s a lot to love about the potential of what Scarborough can bring to the table, and it’s part of the reason why he shot up prospect rankings throughout the latter half of the season. If Scarborough continues this trajectory, there’s no reason to think he can’t be in line for a spot at the top of the rotation eventually.

​#1 Sebastian Walcott – SS

​6’4”, 190 lbs | B/T: R/R | Age: 19 (20 in March) | Acquired: IFA (2023)

​Background: Sebastian Walcott enters 2026 as the undisputed top prospect in the Rangers’ organization and one of the premier talents in all of baseball. He’s ranked as the no. 7 prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline. Signed for $3.2 million out of the Bahamas in 2023, Walcott spent the entire 2025 season with the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders. As the youngest batting qualifier in the Texas League at just 19 years old, he turned in a solid campaign. However, his 2026 season has been derailed by a torn UCL in his right elbow discovered during spring training. He is expected to miss most, if not all, of the upcoming season following surgery, though there is hope he could return to serve as a designated hitter in the Arizona Fall League or Winter Leagues late in the year.

​Tools: Walcott possesses elite physical tools, led by a power-speed profile that produced career highs across the board in 2025. In 124 games for Frisco, he slashed .255/.355/.386/.741 with 13 home runs, 19 doubles, 59 RBI, and 32 stolen bases. Beyond the raw numbers, Walcott showed growth in his plate discipline, reducing his strikeout rate. Defensively, he remains a work in progress at shortstop; while he has a 70-grade arm and great range, he committed 24 errors in 88 games at the position last year. His 6-foot-4 frame and arm strength lead some to believe he may eventually move to third base, but his athleticism gives him every chance to stick at short.

​Outlook: Despite the surgery, Walcott’s long-term ceiling remains unchanged. Through 293 career minor league games, he has posted a .258/.347/.427 slash line, proving he can compete against much older competition. The focus for 2026 will shift entirely to his rehabilitation. Because he bats and throws right-handed, the recovery process for his throwing arm will be the primary hurdle, but his ability to potentially return as a DH late in the year could provide a crucial developmental bridge into 2027. If he can return healthy and continue to refine his defensive consistency, he remains on track to be a middle-of-the-order force for the Rangers in the very near future.

While the blockbuster trade for MacKenzie Gore certainly cost a significant amount of depth—sending away high-upside names like Gavin Fien and Alejandro Rosario—the Rangers’ farm system isn’t in nearly as bad a shape as some national outlets would suggest. The “top-heavy” narrative doesn’t tell the whole story. FanGraphs recently backed this up by placing five Rangers prospects in their Top 100, showing that even after a major trade and injuries to key players, there is still plenty of legitimate talent climbing through the ranks.