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| Monday, January 28 Rangers minor-league report By John Sickels Special to ESPN.com |
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System overview Former GM Doug Melvin may have lost his job, but it is not because of the farm system. The Rangers' system, while not perfect, offers a wide variety of offensive players, and is one of the most intriguing organizations in the game. Third baseman Hank Blalock is the best prospect in baseball, and the system has such depth in hitters that the club felt it could trade first base stud Carlos Pena to the Athletics. The weakness in the system has been pitching, though that also shows signs of improvement. Trading Pena to Oakland brought in prospect Mario Ramos, who will probably make the major-league rotation. There are other attractive pitchers on his heels, including several very live righthanded arms. The loss of Jovanny Cedeno to a shoulder injury last summer was a blow, but there are other Latin American arms behind him. Overall, the Rangers' farm system is in good condition. If the new administration wants to be successful in more ways than just spending money, they need to keep it that way. 2001 Minor League W-L Percentage: .478, (ranked 20th) 2001 amateur draft First, the bad news. The Rangers gave up their second- and third-round picks to sign free agents Alex Rodriguez and Mark Petkovsek. They couldn't sign fourth-round pick Josh Baker, a high school pitcher from Texas. Losing three of the first four draft slots can't be anything but a negative for system depth. Now, the good news. First-rounder Mark Teixeira, a third baseman from Georgia Tech, is one of the most advanced college hitters to come around in years. He offers Troy Glaus-type power, in a switch-hitting package, with superior strike zone judgment. He signed late, but should debut in Double-A and could be in the majors by the end of the year. By himself, he'll make this draft class if he develops as anticipated, though he may end up at first base in the long run. Fifth-round pick C.J. Wilson, a lefty from Loyola Marymount, has decent stuff and posted a 0.96 ERA in rookie ball. Eighth-round pick Masjid Khairy (OF, Los Angeles CC) is very fast but needs to learn more about hitting. Ninth-rounder Gerald Smiley (RHP, Seattle high school) is a tremendous athlete with a 91-94 mph fastball, but is short and fell on many draft lists for that reason. Teixeira is the obvious star in this draft. Others will have to step up for this to be a massively successful draft, but by himself he makes it at least a moderate success. Top prospects Players in the "Will Help Soon" section could see major league action in 2002. Players in the "Will Help Someday" section shouldn't reach the majors until '03 or later, though of course that can change. Players are listed alphabetically. No 2001 draftees are listed. If they were, Teixeira would be in the "Will Help Soon" section. WILL HELP SOON Joaquin Benoit, RHP: Posted 4.19 ERA and 9-5 record at Triple-A Oklahoma, with 142/73 K/BB mark in 131 innings. Throws 92-mph fastball, and a plus slider, but has trouble with his command. Will challenge for a rotation spot. Hank Blalock, 3B: Best hitting prospect in baseball: hit .327 at age 20 in Double-A. Projects as .300+ hitter with lots of doubles, decent power, and exceptional strike zone judgment in the majors. Also fine with the glove at third base, and hard-as-nails in terms of work ethic. Colby Lewis, RHP: Fanned 162 in 156 innings at Double-A Tulsa. Works with 90-93 mph fastball and big-breaking curve. Inconsistent and will need some Triple-A time, but has excellent potential. Kevin Mench, OF: Hit .265 with 26 homers at Double-A, which was disappointing considering his terrific 2000 numbers. Decline in his strike zone judgment as well as a wrist injury were problems. Could make quick rebound if healthy and in the zone. Mario Ramos, LHP: Should be in the major-league rotation. Doesn't throw hard, but knows exactly what he is doing on the mound. Needs to come through for the Pena trade to work out. WILL HELP SOMEDAY Jason Botts, 1B; Hit .309 with 53 walks, 13 steals at Class A Savannah. Huge 6-6 guy with massive power potential he has yet to fully tap. Jason Bourgeois, 2B: Hit .311 with 12 doubles, seven homers, 26 walks, 21 steals in rookie ball. Very polished and could make rapid progress if he adjusts to full-season ball as quickly as some expect. Ryan Ludwick, OF: Acquired in Oakland trade, could easily rate in the "help soon" section. Similar to Mench in terms of power potential, but has a better glove. Also has problems with contact on occasion. Hit 25 homers but .269 average was low for Double-A Midland. Jason Romano, 2B: Another guy who could rank in the "help soon" section. Scrappy, hard-nosed, hit .315 in limited Triple-A action. Projects as .260-.280 hitter in the Show, a Randy Velarde-type with maturity. KEY SLEEPER Justin Duchscherer, RHP: Doesn't have the best fastball in the universe, but has exceptional command and posted a 2.84 ERA in seven Triple-A starts. Hit hard in major-league trial last year, but deserves more chances. Other names to know Omar Beltre, RHP; Jovanny Cedeno, RHP; Ryan Dittfurth, RHP; Jose Dominguez, RHP; Travis Hafner, 1B; Jason Hart, 1B; Scott Heard, C; Danny Kolb, RHP; Gerald Laird, C; Spike Lundberg, RHP; Chris Magruder, OF; Jose Morban, SS; Andy Pratt, LHP; Nick Regilio, RHP; Luis Rodriguez, RHP; Greg Runser, RHP; Domingo Valdez, RHP. John Sickels is the author of the 2002 STATS Minor League Scouting Notebook. He is currently writing a biography of Bob Feller. He lives in Lawrence, Kansas, with his wife, son, and two cats. You can send John questions or comments at JASickels@aol.com, or you can visit his homepage at hometown.aol.com/jasickels/page1.html. |
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