The Texas Rangers have exceeded expectations this year, going 52-39 through the all star break. The rangers offense has been one of the best in baseball, but the Rotation and the bullpen leave much to be desired. The Rangers are very likely to make a blockbuster trade to secure pitching help before the deadline, but what do the organizations top pitching prospects look like? Can any of them bolster the pitching staff and fix the recent struggles the team has faced? Lets take a look at a few of the organizations pitching prospects, and see if they can make an impact at the major league level this year.
I’ve grouped the rangers top pitching prospects into a couple different groups
Too young/ not quite ready
Brock Porter – Porter, the Rangers 4th ranked prospect, has been outstanding since he debuted in single A, He has put up a 1.21 WHIP in 44 innings so far this season. He is going to be a great pitcher down the line, but at only 20 years old he is not ready to come up quite yet.
Mitch Bratt – Bratt, the Rangers 16th ranked prospect, has been solid at high A ball, striking out 63 in 55 innings pitched. He will undoubtedly rise up the prospect rankings as he continues to pitch well, but for now he will have to continue to develop in the farm system.
Possible but not likely
Jack Leiter – Leiter was drafted #2 overall by the rangers in 2021. He was advertised as a quick call up, looking to be part of the major league ball club by 2023, but control issues have kept him down in AA. He is definitely old enough, and eventually he will be a staple in the Rangers starting rotation, but i would not expect to see him called up in 2023, he’s just not ready yet.
Tekoah Roby – Roby, the clubs 11th overall prospect, has been developing nicely since his selection in the 3rd round of the 2020 draft. He has shown good stuff and strikeout potential this season at AA, but he lacks the true upside to be a top of the rotation starter, so his impact at the major league level may not be what the rangers are looking for in a midseason or September call up.
aLL BUT GUARANTEED
Owen White – White, The Rangers 2nd overall prospect, saw 2 innings of major league action in a relief appearance earlier this year. He was optioned back down to AAA, but there is no doubt we will see him at the major league level again this year. Once White gets a handle on AAA, we will see the 23 year old make an impact for the team.
Zak Kent – The only thing holding Kent back is injuries. The Rangers 21st ranked prospect struck out 110 batters in 100 innings last season, and has yet to allow a run in 4 innings of work in 2023. Kent is not a highly touted prospect, but time is running out for the 25 year old righty. Look to see him called up as a bullpen piece later this season.
The solution to the Rangers pitching problems is most likely shipping off some of these prospects for an established front of the line starter, and probably another bullpen arm, but keep an eye out for these young arms to make an impact these next couple seasons.
