Coming off a thrilling 2023 season, where the Texas Rangers were crowned World Series Champions, there are big expectations for the club in 2024. Returning superstar talents across the MLB roster, combined with the return of their ace Jacob deGrom, there is a lot to be excited about. But unlike most teams competing to win at the MLB level, the farm system is also in a great place. The top of the farm features 2 Top 10 prospects in all of baseball in Wyatt Langford and 2023 playoff star Evan Carter. Then as you progress down the rankings there is a combination of names a lot of baseball fans recognize in Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker, sprinkled in with a lot of prospects with high ceilings.
Chris Young was appointed as the General Manager of the organization in December 2020, and it has been a climb ever since. With an ownership group committed to investing and player development in a solid place, the Rangers do not seem like they will be slowing down any time in the near future. 2023 was a banner season for the team, and it seems like they are in a place to build off it and grow into an AL West powerhouse.
Head over to the Pitcher List dynasty page to check out the other prospect rankings already published.
Top Rangers Prospects
The Top Tier
1) Wyatt Langford – OF, 22 YO
2023 MiLB Stats (Rk/A+/AA/AAA): .360 AVG | .480 OBP | .677 SLG | 10 HR | 12 SBs | 17.0 K% | 18.0 BB%
After being picked 4th overall in the 2023 draft, Wyatt Langford quickly became everyone’s prospect darling. After a college career that included two All-American seasons, a .360 career average, and 47 HRs across those two seasons, there were still questions about whether he could tap into his impressive tools at the next level. Langford put those questions to rest, quickly. Not only did he show that the tools would translate immediately, but he also showed the ability to be a well-rounded ball player. Langford showcased the ability to hit for average and power across four MiLB levels while walking more than he struck out. On top of that, he showed the ability to impact the game on the defensive side and with his speed on the bases. His impressive debut made him the consensus top FYPD for the 2023 draft class.
With all that being said, it was only 44 games. No matter how impressive Langford was during his debut season, 44 games and 161 at-bats is not enough of a sample size to alleviate all the questions that followed him through the draft process. As evaluators, we are a lot of times fancied by the new toy, which blinds us to our original evaluations. Players as tooled up as Langford are going to have stretches of super high peaks and some lower valleys, and how do we know those 44 games were not just one of those peaks? The 2024 season will be the deciding factor for that. He is still the number 1 prospect in the system because the potential impact of the power/speed combo, combined with his ceiling is one of the best in baseball. But I am going to be the wet blanket here who wants to see more than 161 at-bats before crowing him the game’s next superstar.
2) Evan Carter – OF, 21 YO
2023 MiLB Stats (Rk/AA/AAA) : .288 AVG | .413 OBP | .450 SLG | 13 HR | 26 SB | 21.6 K% | 15.8 BB%
2023 MLB Stats: .306 AVG | .413 OBP | .645 SLG | 5 HR | 3 SB | 32.0 K% | 16.0 BB%
Between Langford and Carter, the months of September and October must have been great ones for Rangers fans’ outlook on the future. Not only does your team win the World Series, but you have arguably two of the most impressive prospects in baseball lighting it up down the stretch. Carter’s impact was on a much larger scale, as he was an important piece to the Rangers hoisting the Commissioner’s Trophy. During the playoffs, he slashed .300/.417/.500 with one home run, three steals, and nine doubles. This is all following an impressive 23-game debut. Carter’s best tool is his plate awareness and ability to hit. Through his MiLB career, he has a .410 OBP across three seasons, and that translated to the MLB level with a 16.0% walk rate. His ceiling might not be the same as Langford’s, but he will be a mainstay in the lineup from Opening Day of the 2024 season.
One of the main question marks that arises when evaluating Carter is how much power will he tap into. At the MLB level, he showcased a power stroke that he had not shown much through the minors. This season alone he only slugged .450 playing at hitter-friendly parks/leagues like Frisco and Round Rock. The projection to add power is there. Carter has natural loft to his swing, and as he continues to add mass, more power should come. He has shown the ability to hit for doubles power, and he is still only 21 years old, so plenty of time to physically mature. A safe bet to have a high OBP with some power sprinkled in and the ability to steal some bases with plus run times. But the ultimate potential impact depends on what power stroke shows up.
3) Sebastian Walcott – SS, 17 YO
2023 Stats (Rk/A+): .246 AVG | .335 OBP | .471 SLG | 7 HR | 12 SB | 29.8 K% | 10.7 BB%
As Carter and Langford push for prospect graduation, Sebastian Walcott seems to be the next in line to continue the trend of high-level prospects. Walcott’s numbers do not jump off the page. But taking into consideration that he spent the 2023 season at 17 years old when most kids his age are still JRs in high school, makes it all that more impressive. Standing in at 6’4″ with present bat speed and power, it is easy to imagine the already impressive power will continue to trend up. He has already shown the ability to impact a baseball at 110 mph, which is rare territory in MLB standards.
There is some refining to do on his skill set, as a power over hit guy. Striking out at almost 30% rate, in the lower levels of the minors is usually not a good sign for future output. Walcott has also not shown a great ability to get on base and draw walks. The development of those two components will be the major determining factor in whether Walcott can tap into his elite tools or not. But for now, entering the 2024 season as an 18-year-old in High A with present power and speed is a name worth following.
4) Brock Porter – SP, 20 YO
2023 Stats (A): 69.1 IP | 2.47 ERA | 32.4 K% | 14.3 BB%
During the 2022 draft, the Rangers shocked many by taking Kumar Rocker with the 3rd overall pick. But the decision to save money with that pick, allowed them to grab Porter in the 4th round for a record-breaking $3.7 million signing bonus. Porter showcases two plus pitches with a fastball that sits in the mid-90s and has reached triple digits. The shape of the fastball has good life and carry, making it a truly dominant out pitch. He also features a plus changeup, which he is able to throw for strikes with great movement.
There is still projectability to Porter’s frame. Assuming he can continue to add strength, his stuff should tick up. During the 2023 season, he showcased the ability to miss bats with his plus stuff. One of the main questions is going to surround his ability to throw strikes. A 14.3% walk rate is not going to be sustainable as a starter. Porter repeats his mechanics well, even for a bigger body, so the ability to throw strikes is there. It will just take continued development, but the stuff is legit top of the rotation level.
5) Justin Foscue – 2B/3B, 24 YO
2023 MiLB Stats (AAA): .266 AVG | .394 OBP | .468 SLG | 18 HR | 14 SB | 12.4 K% | 15.1 BB%
The Rangers have a type for hitters. They like guys who showcase strike zone discipline, and an ability to draw walks. Foscue fits that billing. During the 2023 season, he struck out less than he walked, while also showcasing some solid power. Any hitter with that kind of strike zone discipline is one that has a safe floor to be a productive player. One of the other parts of Foscue’s game that stands out is his doubles production. He has had back-to-back seasons with 31 doubles. While there is less physical projection in his 5 foot 11 frame, it still shows the ability to get to the pull side in the air, which is the most important component to hitting for power.
Foscue is more of a safe bet than a high-ceiling return. While he is not a top-level defender, he has shown positional flexibility at both second and third base. It will be interesting to follow whether he starts to get some time in the outfield to open up some playing time. That positional flexibility combined with a bat that has showcased a high OBP, and progressing power, is a prospect worth keeping an eye on entering the 2024 season.
6) Abimelec Ortiz – 1B/OF, 21 YO
2023 MiLB Stats (A/A+): .264 AVG | .371 OBP | .619 SLG | 33 HR | 1 SB | 27.8 K% | 10.8 BB%
To be a productive 1B in the MLB, you have to absolutely rake. Abimelec Ortiz seems to be on track to do just that. During the 2023 season, he hit 33 home runs in just 109 games. The natural loft in his left-handed swing, combined with the ability to impact the baseball leads to a lot of power to dream on. He also showed the capability to get on base at a high enough clip to reach base enough to become a productive player.
While there are definitely concerns about the swing-and-miss tendencies that are going to limit his ability to hit for average, he has enough OBP chops to allow his power to play. He is never going to hit .300 or even come close to it, but the development he showed this season by reaching his power consistently in game shows the necessary improvements. He is limited positionally, with 1B or LF being the only options, but if he continues to showcase legit power numbers, he will be a name to remember.
Prospects Dynasty Managers Should Know
7) Kumar Rocker – SP, 24 YO
2023 MiLB Stats (A+): 28.0 IP | 3.86 ERA | 37.8 K% | 6.3 BB%
Does anybody have a good read on Kumar Rocker? Coming out of Vanderbilt as one of the most recognizable college pitchers ever, post-draft physical questions led to him not signing with the Mets. After sitting out the 2022 season, he reemerged as the Rangers took him third overall in the draft with those questions still looming. This season was his first time back on the mound, and it was loud. 37.8% strikeout rate with a mid-90s fastball and 70-grade slider, with good control of the strike zone is easy to see the top of the rotation arm many believed he could be. Then he reached another roadblock after tearing his UCL and requiring Tommy John which will sideline him for much of the 2024 season. Rocker is becoming one of the biggest “what if” candidates of recent memory.
8) Anthony Gutierrez – OF, 19 YO
2023 Stats (Rk/A): .265 AVG| .329 OBP | .351 SLG | 2 HR | 32 SB | 22.5 K% | 7.5 BB%
Guttierez had a loud 2022 season but ultimately regressed in 2023. The talent and tools are evident, but they have to translate to the field. He spent all of 2023 at 18 years old and showcased top-line speed with 32 stolen bases, but the bat did not play as well. He still has plenty of time to develop, and the ceiling is very high with four above-average tools.
9) Jack Leiter– SP, 23 YO
2023 MiLB Stats (AA/AAA): 85.0 IP | 5.19 ERA | 30.7 K% | 13.2 BB%
I was sold on Leiter out of Vanderbilt. The fastball shape with a plus slider combined with solid strike throwing in college had me convinced he would move fast. But it has not translated. The fastball movement profile is not the same as it was in college, and he has really struggled to throw strikes. The 2023 season at first seemed to be a step in the right direction, but then it fell apart leading to another below-average season. Swing-and-miss stuff is still apparent with a 30.7% strikeout rate, but if he can’t get in the zone enough, he will struggle to start long-term.
10) Echedry Vargas – 2B/SS, 18 YO
2023 Stats (Rk/A): .317 AVG | .388 OBP | .568 SLG | 11 HR | 17 SB | 24.6 K% | 9.4 BB%
Vargas does not have any tools that will wow you, but through two MiLB seasons, he has performed. He has shown both the ability to hit for power and average. Vargas has also made an impact with his legs stealing 17 bases during the 2023 season. He could use an improvement in his OBP skills, but that will come with time and development. As of right now, he is showing good ability to hit for power and average while not striking out at an alarming rate, and showcasing speed on the base paths.
11) Owen White – SP, 24 YO
2023 MiLB Stats (AA/AAA): 108.2 IP | 4.22 ERA | 17.2 K% | 11.9 BB%
2023 MLB Stats: 4.0 IP | 11.25 ERA | 21.1 K% | 10.5 BB%
Owen White was able to make his MLB debut, but the overall 2023 season was regression. During the 2022 season, White showed good swing-and-miss stuff striking out 104 batters in 80.1 IP. This season that number fell to 80 in 108.2 IP. The 17.2% strikeout rate is not a pretty number, but it got significantly worse during his time in the PCL at 13.5%. The PCL can chew up a lot of pitchers, physically and mentally, so it is not a reason to write off White, but it is not a step in the right direction.
12) Dustin Harris– OF/1B, 24 YO
2023 MiLB Stats (AA/AAA): .259 AVG | .378 OBP | .431 SLG | 14 HR | 41 SB | 22.6 K% | 14.8 BB%
Another hitter that seems to fit the Rangers type. Dustin Harris shows very good plate discipline, leading to a high OBP. Coming into the 2023 season, Harris showed really good power/speed abilities, with 20 home runs and 25 stolen bases in 2021, and 17 home runs and 19 stolen bases in 2022. The 2023 season showed a little regression on the power side with only 14 home runs, but he showcased really good speed with 41 stolen bases. If Harris can find the power stroke, combined with his OBP skills and speed, there is enough intrigue to follow.
13) Aiden Curry – SP, 21 YO
2023 MiLB Stats (A/A+): 88.1 IP | 2.75 ERA | 29.1 K% | 10.9 BB%
The 2023 season was a huge step forward for Aiden Curry. He showcased swing-and-miss stuff with a 29.1% strikeout rate while featuring two plus offerings with a fastball that sits more low- to mid-90s, but plays up due to life on the heater. Curry also has a slider that has good movement and generates swings and misses. He has projectability to his frame currently listed at 6’5″, 205 lbs, so if he can add strength and translate that to an uptick in stuff, he will be a prospect with some helium.
14) Josh Stephan – SP, 22 YO
2023 MiLB Stats (A+/AA): 66.2 IP | 2.30 ERA | 30.8 K% | 5.1 BB%
Josh Stephan has shown a great ability to command three average to above-average pitches in the strike zone. He also is no slouch in the swing-and-miss department, missing bats to the tune of 30.8% strikeout rate showing that his stuff may play up. His FB is more of a groundball pitch than a swing-and-miss pitch, but he features a solid slider/changeup combo as secondary pitches. He has a pretty safe floor as a starting pitcher who throws a ton of strikes, but his ceiling is determined by the swing and miss he can generate.
15) Mitch Bratt – SP, 20 YO
2023 Stats (A+): 61.0 IP | 3.54 ERA | 27.7 K% | 6.4 BB%
Bratt is a strike-throwing lefty with some swing-and-miss stuff. None of his offerings are plus by any metrics, but his fastball plays up due to carry and ride up in the zone. He throws a ton of strikes making him a safe bet to stick as a starter, but his potential impact is determined by the quality of his stuff. He is still extremely young with a lot of time to increase his stuff.
The Next Five
Although these prospects do not crack the Top 15, dynasty managers should keep their eye on these five players.
Marc Church – 22 YO- Former SS who moved to the mound. Two plus pitches and athleticism.
Jose Corniell – 20 YO- Big 2023 season after being moved from the bullpen to the starting rotation. Swing and miss stuff.
Yeison Morrobel – 20 YO- Top international signee, who put up good numbers in Rookie Ball, but has struggled in A ball.
Cameron Cauley – 20 YO- Plus speed and glove, but can he steal first? Still a lot of time to develop, but 2023 was a good step.
Aaron Zavala – 23 YO- Huge draft year and two solid years of pro ball before struggling in 2023.
Feature image by Michael Packard (@CollectingPack on X)