[Griever20]

Confidential: Prospect Report, March 28th, 2019

So Max, here is a little overview over our minor league system. I am ignoring players that are on the major league roster, and start off with the OSA's top prospects, and then move on to the guys under their radar that we think are worth the attention.

Enjoy the read, I'll keep you posted.

Best Wishes
Doug Melvin
Scouting Director Texas Rangers

#22 Prospect
RHSP Hans Crouse(20, 0.5/2* HS, 0.5/3.5* OSA) AA Frisco RoughRiders
55/50/50 pitching potential, 95-97 mph, neutral GB/FB tendency, over the top arm slot, 50 stamina
Our 2nd round selection in 2017 from Dana Hills High School in California. Fastball, Curve, Change. Got lit in 12 starts in rookie ball last year, a 6.35ERA and not a lot of progress. His changeup is still bit raw, and we are a bit more pessimistic about his control, stuff and stamina at the MLB level.

#62 Prospect
RHSP Albert Abreu(23, 1/3* HS, 0.5/3* OSA) AAA Round Rock Express
60/50/50 pitching potential, 94-96 mph, neutral GB/FB tendency, over the top arm slot, 55 stamina
Acquired from NYY this winter. We still think he got the stuff of a good MLB pitcher, but he struggled in A+ ball last year, 4-10 with a 5.30ERA. His Spring numbers were even worse: 11.91ERA in four starts... Fastball, Curve and change with a little bit iffy control and movement. Needs to make a big step forward in AAA this year as he is already 23.

#81 Prospect
RHSP Bryan Mata(19, 0.5/3* HS, 0.5/3* OSA) AA Frisco RoughRiders
60/50/55 pitching potential, 91-93 mph, neutral GB/FB tendency, normal(3/4) arm slot, 55 stamina
Acquired from BOS this winter. Fastball, slider and a changeup with the latter pitch being the one with the highest potential... and the least developed right now. At age 19, he pitched to a 4.57ERA in A+ in 28 strong starts.

#83 Prospect
SS Chris Seise(20, 0.5/3* HS, 0.5/3* OSA) AA Frisco RoughRiders
65/45/25/50/60 batting potential, 65/70/55 Speed/Stealing/Baserunning, 55 D at Shortstop
Our 1st round selection in 2017, #29 overall. Could become a Gold Glove SS as there is a lot of room for growth in his defensive skills. Hit .297 with 11 stolen bases in A- last year.

Overall, the OSA has us as the #3 minor league system with three prospects on the major league roster.

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C Matt Whatley(23, 0.5/3.5* HS, 0.5/2.5* OSA) AAA Round Rock Express
45/45/55/60/30 batting potential, 45/50/55 Speed/Stealing/Baserunning, 65 D at Catcher
The 3rd round pick in 2017. Lost the spring training battle with Morgan and, similar to Abreu, needs to take a leap forward in AAA this year. He hit .287 in A- in 38 games, and .247 in 19 games in A ball last year. If he does hit well, I suggest to give him a shot at the MLB level later this year as may be the best potential catcher on our 40-man.

2B Brandon Lowe(24, 1.5/3.5* HS, 0.5/3* OSA) AAA Round Rock Express
55/50/45/55/50 batting potential, 45/65/55 Speed/Stealing/Baserunning, 60 D at Second Base
Acquired from TBR last winter. A solid potential hitter that did not develop that well in their minor league system. This is his last shot to become at least a decent backup player. Hit .260 in AA and .309 in AAA for them last year.

3B Anderson A. Tejeda(20, 0.5/3* HS, 0.5/2.5* OSA) AAA Round Rock Express
55/60/50/55/40 batting potential, 55/65/55 Speed/Stealing/Baserunning, 55 D at Third Base
Signed as an international free agent in 2015. Lit up A ball last year, batting .299-18-99 .844OPS in 119 games and won the SAL MVP Award for that. A good third baseman with 15-20 home run pop and a lot of doubles, and a cannon for an arm. Can steal a base... or 10 if everything works well.

RF Daniel Johnson Jr.(23, 1.5/3* HS, 1/2.5* OSA) AAA Round Rock Express
55/55/60/50/40 batting potential, 65/55/60 Speed/Stealing/Baserunning, 65 D in Right Field
Acquired from WSH this winter. Hit .297/.390/.441 11HR 48RBIs in A+ ball last year and was selected into the All-Star team. Could develop 20-25HR pop with his pull swing, but needs at least 250ABs before we should consider him a potential starter at the MLB level.

2B Matt McLain(23, 1.5/3* HS, 1/2.5* OSA) A Hickory Crawdads
55/40/40/60/65 batting potential, 65/60/60 Speed/Stealing/Baserunning, 55 D at Second Base
Fourth round selection in 2018. We still think he could become a good contact hitter despite his .227 batting average last year in rookie ball, but even then, he lacks the little bit of extra speed to become a prolific leadoff hitter, and the little bit of extra arm to become a Gold Glove second baseman.

Overall, I have to say that our minor league system still lacks upper echelon talent. Our first round pick last year retired from baseball to play football after hitting for a 1.018OPS in rookie ball and our second round pick was traded away this winter. The 2017 draft was fine when it comes to depth, but I still think we need to pull off more Royce Lewis trades, especially for pitching.