Draft Reviews: Texas Rangers

2008 Draft Slot: 11th overall
Top Pick: Justin Smoak, 1B, University of South Carolina
Best Pick: Justin Smoak
Keep an Eye On: Robbie Ross, LHP, Kentucky high school (second round)
Notes: Taken 57th overall, Robbie Ross has yet to appear in an official pro game and will likely pitch in rookie ball this season, beginning in June. He’s short for a pitcher at about 5’11’ but he can touch 94 mph with the fastball. So far, the Rangers organization has received little from draftees not named Justin Smoak. But the club is OK with that, as he’s smoakin’ the ball in Double-A with less than a year of pro experience. If not for Chris Davis, Smoak could already be in the Majors.

2007 Draft Slot: 17th overall
Top Pick: Blake Beavan, RHP, Texas high school
Best Pick: Julio Borbon, OF, University of Tennessee (Supplemental first round, 35th overall)
Worst Pick: Matt West, 3B, Texas high school (Second round)
Notes: With five picks before the second round, thanks to free agency compensation, the Rangers added a lot of depth – and talent – to the system with this one draft. Matt West was not a terrible second round pick; his numbers have been OK so far… He’s just shown less so far than the other top picks. First pick Blake Beavan has been a bit of a disappointment too, as his stuff has not been as overpowering as it was in high school. If Julio Borbon, already in Triple-A, can learn to take a few more walks to help his on-base percentage, he could be a threat at the top of the Rangers’ batting order. In this draft, the club also grabbed pitching prospects Michael Main, Neil Ramirez, and Tommy Hunter.

2006 Draft Slot: 12th overall
Top Pick: Kasey Kiker, LHP, Alabama high school
Best Pick: Chris Davis, 1B/3B, Texas junior college (Fifth round)
Worst Pick: Chad Tracy, C, Pepperdine University (Third round)
Notes: Lacking a second-round selection, the club took catcher Chad Tracy, who quickly played himself out from behind home plate, which hurt his value. Chris Davis was an absolute steal in the fifth round for Texas, as he is already the club’s starting first baseman (But is he turning into Russell Branyan?). Keep an eye on shortstop Marcus Lemon, who just keeps hitting. At worst, he should be a MLB utility player.

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2009 Draft Slot: 14th overall
Draft Preference (2006-08): The club likes prep arms, but it does a nice job of finding good college hitters too.
MLB Club Need: Starting pitching, Relief pitching
Organizational Need: Catcher, Second base, Third base
Organizational Strength: Right-handed pitching, Center field
Notes: The depth amongst the fielding positions is not overly deep at any position, but the organization is loaded with good, young pitching. The club has an extra selection in the supplemental first round (44th overall) for the free agent loss of outfielder Milton Bradley.