The Rangers Report - The State Of The System

The Rangers’ farm system is ranked in the bottom half of many scouting services.  There is a reason for this.  Blame Alex Rodriguez.

Just kidding.  It was a cheap shot.  But the Alex Rodriguez deal did hurt the Rangers in more ways than one, most notably in the farm system.

When Rodriguez was signed, there came the expectation that the Rangers would surround him with a team that could compete , which was expected when you sign a “superstar” player to a “superstar” contract.  Anyhow, the result was that the Rangers lost their second- and third-round picks in the 2001 First-Year Player Draft because of  Rodriguez and other free agent signings.  They drafted Mark Teixeira, then drafted Josh Baker four rounds later.  And they failed to sign Baker.  Of the 2001 draft, many players who are now in the majors, only C.J. Wilson has reached the majors and contributed anything of value.  The Rangers lost their 2nd, third, fourth and fifth rounders in 2002, thanks to the free agent signings of Chan #### Park, Juan Gonzalez, Todd Van Poppel and Jay Powell.   And, to add insult to injury, their first rounder, Drew Meyer, a shortstop who later moved to second base in the minors, is one of the biggest draft busts in Rangers history.  Of the 2002 draft, only Nate Gold, Jesse Chavez and Kameron Loe have made any sort of contribution.  2003 saw the Rangers take John Danks, but also saw wasted picks on Vincent Sinisi at 2 and John Hudgins at 3, both of whom are now in San Diego.

The end result has been that most of the high school players that would have been taken in those drafts would now be at the upper levels of the farm system.  Add in some instability at the top of the system as far as scouting and player development and you’ll see why the Rangers are where they’re at. 

Another reason is that the entire system took a step back last season, resulting in a good many of the arms and prospects taking a step back.  An excellent example of that is Michael Schlact, a promising young right-hander that hit a wall last season, along with a good many other pitchers. 

Strength Of The System – Catchers / Pitchers

Yes, the Rangers have some good pitching strength.  Eric Hurley is the best pitcher in the system with Edinson Volquez and Thomas Diamond a bit behind him.  Other notable pitchers are Daniel Haigwood, a nifty lefty pitching prospect, Michael Schlact, who was mentioned in the conversation with Eric Hurley until the California took it’s whoop-#### stricks to the 20 year old right hander.  Omar Poveda had great numbers, but a lousy win loss record and ERA thanks to a young and inexperienced team behind him, and Kasey ####r, 2006’s first rounder and others are making a name for themselves as well.  Kei Kometani, my breakout candidate for this year (Wes Littleton was last year’s) could prove himself to be a late round gem if he continues to improve.  All in all, the Rangers have talent and should even a few of their prospects take a step forward, the team all of a suidden becomes deep in pitching.  However, the Rangers need to make sure the kids stay healthy.  Hurley was shut down late last year with a muscle strain and Thomas Diamond has had to undergo Tommy John.  They also need to make sure Schlact gets along great, although his sudden size increase (he's grown an inch and now stands at an imposing 6'8").

As far as catchers, the Rangers have some young guys that are starting to impress.  Taylor Teagarden is a catcher in the mold of Yadir Molina in that he’s a gifted catcher but needs to improve his offense some more and Manny Pina, who is coming off of Tommy John surgery, has many comparing him to Pudge Rodriguez.  Add in Cristian Santana and Emerson Frostad, who are also high regarded, and Ben Harrison and Chad Tracy and the odds are good that at least a pair of these prospects will be an excellent catcher.

Weakness Of The System – First Base / Centerfielders

The system is lacking very much at first base and center field, alarming prospects when you consider the fact that Mark Teixeira is likely gone in two years and Kenny Lofton is only a one-year patch.  There is Jason Botts and Nate Gold, but many are wondering if Gold is simply a one year wonder and if Botts is simply a player that can hit in the minor league level but not in the bigs.  Help does seem to be on the way in Chris Davis and possibly Craig Gentry, a first baseman and centerfielder respectively, so if either one can really establish themselves, this will work out nicely. 

Club To Watch – The Clifton Lumberkings (Low A)

The team that will be something to watch will be the Clifton Lumberkings, who were the youngest team of their level, with an average age of 20.  It was revealed that this was on purpose, as it was designed to get the youngsters more experience as well as allowing them to grow a little.  The pitching will be fronted by ####r and Poveda, who could be the aces that Clinton has been lacking since Hurley and Schlact graduated to the bigs.  Whittleman still has the tooks there to succeed and with another year under his belt, he could surprise some with a breakout season.

Plus, it’s likely that many of the standout players from Spokane, such as Chad Tracy and Chris Davis, will make some contributions.

All in all, this season in Clinton will be a big one in the Rangers minors.  If the club does well, then the Rangers have their future in order.  If not, then there needs to be a closer look at what the hell the Rangers are doing wrong.