Bar Rafaeli The somewhat weekly look at the Texas Rangers farm system is being bumped for a look at the Rangers' 2010 draft class, considering the 2011 MLB Amateur Draft is June 6-8. And a girl.
Before this year's draft, consider this: The Rangers wound up signing Texas A&M's Barret Loux after he was released by the Arizona Diamondbacks last September due to health issues (sounds like there was a lot more going on if you read into it). He became a free agent.
Remember, Loux was the No. 6 overall pick in the draft. Maybe he's damaged goods, but he's also a supreme talent coming out of college and a top 10 overall pick. It was as if the Rangers drafted Loux, Jake Skole, Kellin Deglan, Luke Jackson and Mike Olt in the first/compensatory rounds last year. Hell of a pick-up.
Here's a look at where some of the 2010 Ranger's class is today. The Rangers wound up inking 33 of 53 picks; however, I do not know how many are still actually with the club.
1. Jake Skole
OF - Hickory Crawdads
The 19-year-old is not hitting particularly well (.244), but he does have his days. He also has a decent walk rate, which has boosted his on-base percentage (.346). He's shown very little power and strikes out a lot (more than one per game). We'll see.
1. Kellin Deglan
C - Hickory Crawdads
I have read nothing on Deglan, so I don't know why he's played in just 30 games (injury, instruction). Oddly, he's still hit five doubles and driven in 18 runs, which seems like a lot for guy who has barely played (incidentally, both are more than Skole, who has 70 more at-bats and 16 more games).
CA. Luke Jackson
SP - Hickory Crawdads
Semi-surprised to see the kid (19) at Low-A Hickory this early in the year. He's made three starts and the stats don't look good, but he hasn't been nearly that bad for a guy making his professional debut.
CA. Mike Olt
3B - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Absolutely nothing to hate here. Already considered a guy who will be an everyday third baseman in the bigs. He hits for power (nine home runs, 12 doubles), hits for decent average (.287) and walks a shitload (.401 OBP). Quite literally, you could not have made a more decent pick here.
2. Cody Buckel
RP - Hickory Crawdads
Posts a 26:6 K/BB ratio and a 2.45 ERA mostly as a reliever and starting three games.
4. Justin Grimm
SP - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Just got a bump to High-A after posting a 3:1 K/BB ratio and a 3.40 ERA in Hickory. A possible fast riser after going to Georgia and having quite the build already (6-3, 175).
9. Zach Osborne
RP - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Also got a bump this season already. Allowed a meager .176 BAA and 18 strikeouts to two walks in Low-A. At Myrtle Beach, he's had two bad outings accounting for all eight runs allowed. In the other nine innings: 0 runs, 5 hits, 9 strikeouts. At 6-5, he's a big arm.
10. Jared Hoying
OF - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
After ripping Low-A Spokane to bits last season (.325, 28 extra-base hits, 51 RBI) he got the call to High-A this year and was an early pick to click for me. The strikeouts are still a huge issue, although he's walking more. The power is still there (five homers, eight doubles). Still a lot to like, just not at the pace I thought.
12. Josh Richmond
OF - Hickory Crawdads
I mention Richmond because he looks like Edgar Winter and he's hitting a mild .256 with 15 doubles and five home runs. He has 45 total hits, 21 are for extra bases.
15. Ryan Rodebaugh
RP - Hickory Crawdads
Guess who won't be in Low-A much longer. Rodebaugh's been brilliant out of the bullpen. The lefty has posted a .186 BAA and he's struck out 34 in 29 innings.
16. Ryan Strausborger
OF - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Leads the Pelicans in runs, hits, doubles and stolen bases. Hitting .290 to boot. On the same team as Mike Olt.
21. Joe Van Meter
RP - Hickory Crawdads
Hoping he makes it to the Majors with "heater."
41. Colby Killian
RP - Hickory Crawdads
Notable because he's giving you quality relief innings from a very late pick. Posts a strikeout per frame and also totes a 2:1 groundball/flyout ratio.
