Here are the Rangers' 2024 Top 30 prospects
Jim Callis
@JimCallisMLBThe Rangers headed into 2023 coming off their worst three-year stretch since moving to Texas in 1972 and ended it with their first World Series championship. Spending more than $800 million on free agents over the previous two seasons had a lot to do with their turnaround, and so did their farm system.
Surprise 2020 second-rounder Evan Carter sparked the team as a September callup and was a postseason hero at age 20. Josh Jung became the first Ranger ever to start the All-Star Game as a rookie and also excelled in the playoffs. Top prospects such as middle infielders Luisangel Acu?a and Thomas Saggese and right-hander Tekoah Roby helped shore up the pitching staff via midseason trades for Jordan Montgomery, Max Scherzer and Chris Stratton.
Texas' good fortune also extended to the Draft. After moving from the No. 7 to No. 4 in the inaugural Draft Lottery, it came away with outfielder Wyatt Langford, who has looked like a superstar early in his pro career and could make the Opening Day roster. It also signed another high-ceiling player on the international market in Sebastian Walcott, a potential five-tool shortstop.
The Rangers will be even more poised for future success if they can unlock the potential of three right-handers who were once Top 100 Prospects. Kumar Rocker is coming back from Tommy John surgery, Jack Leiter is seeking consistent mechanics and command and Owen White is trying to reverse a downturn in stuff and strikes.
Here's a look at the Rangers' top prospects:
1. Evan Carter, OF (MLB No. 5)
2. Wyatt Langford, OF (MLB No. 6)
3. Sebastian Walcott, SS (MLB No. 71)
4. Brock Porter, RHP (MLB No. 88)
5. Justin Foscue, 2B/3B
Complete Top 30 list ?
Biggest jump/fall
Here are the players whose ranks changed the most from the 2023 preseason list to the 2024 preseason list.
Jump: Jose Corniell, RHP (2023: NR | 2024: 9)
He improved his stuff and control in 2023, conquered two Class A levels at age 20 and earned Rangers Minor League pitcher of the year honors.
Fall: Cole Winn, RHP (2023: 14 | 2024: NR)
He went 15th overall in the 2018 Draft because he combined stuff and polish, but he has regressed in both areas while posting a 6.71 ERA in Triple-A the last two seasons.
Best tools
Players are graded on a 20-80 scouting scale for future tools -- 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average and 70-80 is well above average. Players in parentheses have the same grade.
Hit: 65 -- Evan Carter
Power: 70 -- Wyatt Langford
Run: 70 -- Evan Carter
Arm: 65 -- Sebastian Walcott
Defense: 60 -- Cameron Cauley (Evan Carter)
Fastball: 70 -- Emiliano Teodo
Curveball: 60 -- Kumar Rocker
Slider: 70 -- Kumar Rocker
Changeup: 65 -- Brock Porter
Control: 60 -- Josh Stephan
How they were built
Draft: 12 | International: 11 | Trade: 4 | NDFA: 3
Breakdown by ETA
2024: 8 | 2025: 8 | 2026: 8 | 2027: 4 | 2028: 1 | 2029: 1
Breakdown by position
C: 1 | 1B: 1 | 2B: 2 | 3B: 1 | SS: 2 | OF: 9 | RHP: 12 | LHP: 2