The future success of every Major League team lies in its Minor League system. With that in mind, each preseason, MLB.com takes a top-to-bottom look at all 30 organizations, from top prospects to recent draft picks. Depth, depth and more depth are the three ways to describe the Texas farm system. The Rangers have pitchers, catchers, infielders, bat boys, ticket takers, salespeople, well, you get the idea. Texas' farm system is stocked and the players who comprise it should be arriving in Arlington soon. If they don't make it to Texas, it's probably because the Rangers have used some of their many chips to acquire immediate help at the Major League level. "We have the kind of depth that makes it easier for us," Director of Minor League Operations John Lombardo said. "It gives us some things that we're able to do. We are very pleased with the system we have, but we're not going to rest on our laurels." Here's a closer look at what the Rangers have coming up through the ranks in 2008.
10 Spot
Ten prospects to watch out for in 2008:
Elvis Andrus, SS He's already racked up more than 1,100 professional at-bats and the corresponding experience that is well beyond his years. It's still too early to tell if he can be a .300 hitter at a higher level (his career average is .266), but he does have speed -- 40 steals a year ago -- that will help him at the plate. From a defensive standpoint, he's a gem and can anchor any infield. Andrus has the attitude to be a leader on the field and in the clubhouse. It should be fun watching the parts continue to come together, most likely this season at Double-A Frisco. "He's everything that's been advertised," Lombardo said. "At 19, he has the makeup that's more advanced. It's unbelievable. He's got supreme defensive skills and his bat is on the rise. For him to do what he's done at a young age is amazing.
"The guy's hero is Derek Jeter. He wants to be a leader and take a franchise on his back. He doesn't want to be a flashy, undisciplined player. He wants to be the face of a franchise for all the right reasons. And he's got all the ability in the world to do that."
Chris Davis, 1B He strikes out a great deal (once every 3.3 at-bats), a problem that plagues many young sluggers, but can improve with experience. Since the former fifth-rounder (2006) has a mere 748 professional at-bats on his resume, there's plenty of time to work on the flaws in his approach. The Rangers moved him to first base this spring because they believe he has a brighter future on the right side of the infield.
"It was a comfort factor," Lombardo said of the move. "We have a pretty good third baseman in the big leagues and we have some solid depth with some good, young defensive infielders. And, more than anything, we think this is going to be Chris' best position. We think he has a chance to be an average to above-average first baseman. He likes to play there and we don't have a ton of depth at first base in our system." #ques_include {width:300px;float:right;margin-left:5px;} #ques_content {border-top:1px solid #000000;border-left:1px solid #000000;padding-left:5px;} .ques_schedule {margin-top:5px;font-size:11px;} .ques_dates {font-size:11px;font-style:italic;color:#999;} 
Taylor Teagarden, C Defensively, he's probably solid enough to catch in the Major Leagues right now. He's used to big games and pressure situations from his days in college -- the Longhorns were a fixture in the NCAA playoffs -- and knows how to handle a tight spot. Teagarden is regarded as a clubhouse leader, and that will also be of benefit as he moves up this year. Despite the fact that Texas acquired Jarrod Saltalamacchia last season, the Rangers have no plans to move Teagarden from behind the plate. "There's no reason for him not to stay behind the plate," Lombardo said. "He's an excellent receiver. He calls a good game, has good intangibles, good feet and a good arm. We'd be foolish at this point to move him from behind the plate.
"Time will tell how it all plays out with all the depth at catching. Next to pitching, catching is the most valuable commodity, and goodness knows you keep guys behind the plate as long as you can. Eventually, they'll force our hand, but until then, let them keep going. It's a good problem to have. And he's a very mature catcher. It's an interesting package between his bat and his catching skills."
Kasey Kiker, LHP Kiker responded with a splendid sophomore season in the Midwest League, going 7-4 with a 2.90 ERA in 20 starts. He struck out 112 over 96 innings, walked only 41 and held opponents to a .237 batting average. Because of his size (he's 5-foot-10) there are questions about his durability -- the same kind of questions that surrounded Scott Kazmir when the Mets drafted him in the first round a few years back. Like Kazmir, though, Kiker's attitude and approach outweigh any durability issues, and he should flourish this year in the Cal League. "There are a lot of different shapes and sizes in the game," Lombardo said. "If anyone wants to complain about Billy Wagner, let them. I'm not saying he's going to be Billy Wagner, but he leverages the ball, he's got an above-average changeup and his breaking ball is on the rise. Look at what he was able to do last year.
"It doesn't matter if a guy is 4-foot-2 or 6-foot-8. I've seen guys who are 6-foot-7 that can't leverage the ball. Just because you're 6-foot-5 doesn't mean you can pitch. Anyone who doesn't think he's not going to be a good pitcher because he's not 6-foot-5 doesn't know the game."
Blake Beavan, RHP "He's got a very aggressive streak, but it's good aggression," Lombardo said. "Maybe he needs to get it reined in at times, get it honed in and focus that energy or meanness if you want to call it that. But it definitely can be an asset on the mound. He does have the repertoire to be a power pitcher and use that to his advantage."
Omar Poveda, RHP Poveda may find the going rough again in the hitter-friendly Cal League, but he's an intelligent workhorse who should be able to work through problems. He may not get the attention that some of Texas' other pitching prospects get, but he's certainly worth watching closely.
"He's continuing on a natural progression," Lombardo said. "And, hopefully, he'll get to the Double-A level this year. I don't see any reason he can't get to that point. He has a solid three-pitch mix and he's improved every season he's been here. With that type of repertoire and makeup, we feel he can be a Major League starter."
Max Ramirez, C Expect him to start this season at Frisco and don't expect the Rangers to make him trade bait for the third time in as many seasons. He's got great value but is faced with the prospect of playing behind Saltalamacchia and Teagarden. He has played some third base, but his ultimate position remains to be seen.
"He's a fantastic hitter with raw power and a knack for putting the bat on the ball," Lombardo said. "He really works hard at it. He also has the ability to catch and we're going to give him the opportunity to do that. We'll give him every opportunity behind the plate because he hasn't shown us a reason not to. He just wants to play baseball."
John Mayberry, OF Through three seasons, Mayberry has proven to be Dave Kingman-esque in his all-or-nothing approach at the plate. Throw in the fact that he hasn't overwhelmed anyone with his play in the outfield and questions remain about his future. Still, the Major Leagues are full of average outfielders who can hit for power and a middling average, so Mayberry may be just fine in the long run.
"I don't think feast or famine is necessarily who he is," Lombardo said. "He'll probably be your typical power hitter. That power profile is that he's going to swing and miss from time to time. And he does have some holes that need to be corrected. But it's not feast or famine. Is he a guy that's going to win batting titles? Probably not. But he's a guy that has a lot of potential to hit home runs in the big leagues."
Neftali Feliz, RHP
"He's the easiest 97 to 99 you'll ever see," Lombardo said. "It's like he's out there playing catch. He's got the makings of a decent repertoire. He hasn't been pitching all that long and [the Braves] did a good job of protecting him. But the ball just explodes out of his arm. He's just effortless."
Mike Main, RHP
"He's everything you want from a young power pitcher," Lombardo said. "He's headstrong, determined and poised beyond his years. He has a feel for pitching and a reputation for being as good, if not better, than most in our system. He doesn't have Neftali's arm, but he has the making of an above-average fastball that really impresses."
Under the Radar
Brennan Garr, RHP
"So many people are not talking about this guy who we're increasingly getting higher on," Lombardo said. "He's a guy who didn't pitch a lot in college, so he has a fresh arm. He's very intriguing."
German Duran, 2B He followed up his season with a strong Arizona Fall League performance and should get the starting nod at second base in Oklahoma this year. His 15 errors were second-most among Texas League second basemen, an indication that the development of his bat may be ahead of his glove. If he continues hitting and puts up another monster year in the PCL, don't be surprised if he reaches Arlington this summer.
Duran, who can also play third base and corner outfield, has the "best swing path in the organization," according to Lombardo.
2007 Draft Recap Top pick Blake Beaven signed late and didn't pitch in the regular season, though he got in extensive work during the instructional league. ... RHP Michael Main had shoulder problems in high school but worked through them and had a splendid senior season. He was assigned to the Arizona League and had a 1.42 ERA in five games, earning a bump to Spokane of the Northwest League, where he went 2-0 with a 4.70 ERA in five games. ... OF Julio Borbon was a sandwich pick (35th overall) but probably would have gone higher had he not missed much of the season with a broken ankle. He had 37 at-bats after signing, splitting time between the Arizona and Northwest leagues. He was unimpressive, hitting .189 with four strikeouts and a .250 OBP. ... RHP Neil Ramirez, the 44th overall pick from Kempsville High in Virginia, signed at the deadline and didn't see any game action. ... RHP Tommy Hunter, the 54th overall pick from Alabama, got in slightly ahead of Ramirez, early enough to go 2-3 with a save and a 2.55 ERA in 17 2/3 innings for Spokane. ... IF Matt West (second round, Bellaire High, TX) hit .301 with 17 RBIs in 103 at-bats in the Arizona League. ... There's nothing funny about RHP Andrew Laughter (10th round, Louisiana-Lafayette). He had 11 saves and a 2.03 ERA in 26 appearances for Spokane. Laughter didn't allow a homer in 31 innings. ... RHP Bobby Wilkins (sixth round, Valhalla HS, Calif.) was 0-4 with a 5.25 ERA in 10 Arizona League games (six starts). ... RHP Evan Reed (third round, Cal Poly) was 1-1 with a 1.91 ERA in 11 games (eight starts) at Spokane and Clinton. Opponents hit .143 against him.
Predictions
Organizational Player of the Year:
Cy on the Farm (Organizational Pitcher of the Year):
Quotable "He fared very well in instructional league and learned some valuable lessons. There are some things you can do in high school that you can't do here. More than anything else, he's learning how to pitch. In high school, he was able to get away with [having] one or two pitches." --Lombardo on Beaven. Kevin Czerwinski is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs. | ||||||||||||||||
