[Griever20]

Confidential: Prospect Report, March 31st, 2022

I know it is Opening Day, but it is also time to report on how our minor league system developed over the Winter. I personally think we got a good couple of relief prospects in, and I still want to point out that the #7 prospect in baseball in Hansel Moreno is already up in the majors.

Thanks to him, we have the best minor league system in baseball according to BA.

Greetings
Logan White
Scouting Director Texas Rangers

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Pitching:

Close to the majors: AAA LHSP Nick Lodolo(24, 3/5*, #11 prospect(+44)), AAA RHSP Hans Crouse(23, 2.5/3*, #32 prospect(-35)), AAA RHRP Alex Speas(23, 2.5/3.5*), AA LHCL Tony Darland(23, 3/4.5*), AA RHRP Freddie Jones(22, 2/4*)

Others: A+ LHRP Josh Kearns(23, 1/3.5*), R LHSP Jorge Anjo(18, 0.5/3.5*, #17 prospect(-3)), R LHRP Luis Pulido(19, 0.5/3*), A RHRP Mike Franklin(21, 0.5/3*), INT LHSP Juan Granados(16, 0.5/1.5* HS, 0.5/3.5* OSA, #46 prospect(+5))

Dropped out: RHSP Casey Mize(25, MLB), RHSP Matthew Allan(20)

Allan is done, and Mize is a bust. Nick Lodolo however is the real ticket and the reason why he IS in AAA... is service time. However, I suggest to sign him to a Royce Lewis kind of deal as soon as possible. Hans Crouse would've been the main option for the MLB roster, but his strained oblique kept him away from that job.

You remember Freddie Jones? He was a top 100 prospect before, but that was as a starter. He does not have a third pitch but still throws 99-101 on the gun, making him a quality relief prospect. Similar story for Luis Pulido down in R ball. A 15th round pick last year, he throws a solid heater with decent movement and control, but forget the changeup.

Catcher:

Close to the majors: AAA C Patrick Bailey(22, 2.5/4*)

Others: A C Raymond Torres(21, 0.5/3*)

Dropped out: none

Not a lot of movement here. Bailey hit .232-2-6 .817OPS in Spring Training and was VERY close to winning an MLB job, but at least will start the year in AAA... at least one first-rounder that does not look like a total bust...

Infield:

Close to the majors: AAA 2B Jonathan India(25, 2.5/3.5*) AAA SS Alonzo Jones(25, 2/2.5*)

Others: AA 2B Matt McLain(22, 1.5/3*), A+ 2B Aaron Bracho(20, 0.5/4*), A+ SS Sincere Smith(21, 1.5/3*), R 1B Braedon Mooris(19, 0.5/2.5*), R 3B Nate Pugh(19, 0.5/3*)

Dropped out: 2B Hansel Moreno(25, MLB), 2B Richie Palacios(25, Trade), 2B Derwin Barreto(21), SS Marcos Junior Gonzalez(22)

We trimmed some quality off the top with Moreno up and Palacios traded away(he was released by the Cardinals and signed on a minor league deal by the Indians...), and some of the borderline guys were kicked out of the picture again.

Still, we have some solid trade chips + Bracho down there, even with none of the kids being ranked...

Outfield:

Close to the majors: AAA RF Angel Basabe(21, 1.5/2.5*)

Others: AAA CF Tyler Williams(20, 0.5/3*), R CF Mike Fusek(20, 0.5/3*), R RF Jon Graves(19, 0.5/2.5*), R RF Alpha Eleby(19, 0.5/2.5*), R CF Eddie Hookfin(18, 0.5/2.5*), R LF Tommy Jennings(18, 0.5/2.5*)

Dropped out: CF Robert Gonzalez(20), RF Erick Rivera(20)

We added some 2.5* bats onto this list with the headliner being Angel Basabe. Another kid we signed on a minor league contract in 2019 after he was released by the Bucs, he is an average bat with some pop and good defense, but mostly corner outfield. In AA, he hit .232-16-55 .682OPS, so the bat is still raw, but he may become a decent corner outfielder... and trade chip.