It seems hard to believe for Ranger fans but the Rangers farm system is currently ranked at number 11 in all of baseball. Baseball America just updated their list and have the Rangers listed at number 9. With the 3rd overall pick in this years draft, I can only imagine they will move into the top 10 at some point this season. The signing of a couple of top international players will surely help as well. Here is our list of Texas Rangers 1st round draft pick 2022 candidates.
These players are not in any particular order but they are names that I’ve heard attached to the Rangers.
Jacob Berry, 3B
Age: 20 | Bats: S | Throws: R | School: Louisiana State
Berry first caught my attention because he played in the 2021 Frisco Classic with the Arizona Wildcats and was named to the All-Tournament team by going 8 for 19 with 1 home run, 6 RBI, 7 runs, 1 triple and 2 walks. He has since transferred to Louisiana State University. Berry is a switch-hitter with power and blasted 17 home runs in the 2021 season.
So far in college, he has been able to use the whole field, gap-to-gap with pop. For the season, he slashed an impressive .352/.439/.676/1.115 with 17 long balls and 70 RBI. He worked 33 walks and struckout 58 times in 63 games.
There is some concern about his ability at third so a move to 1st base isn’t out of the question.
Jace Jung, 2B/3B
Age: 21 | Bats: L | Throws: R | School: Texas Tech University
The younger brother of the Texas Rangers top ranked infielder, Josh Jung. You’ll have a hard time finding a Rangers fan who would be disappointed if they select him.
Jung scorched opposing pitchers last season to a tune of .337/.462/.697/1.159 with 21 home runs and 67 RBI. He won multiple awards last season including All-American, Big 12 Player of the Year, and unanimous All-Big 12 first team selection.
I’m always impressed with players that draw more walks than they strikeout. Jung is one of those players; last season he walked 49 times and struckout 45 times.
Elijah Green, OF
Age: 18 | Bats: R | Throws: R | School: IMG Academy (FL) committed to Miami
Green stands at 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds and is still growing. Green is an elite runner who can steal and cover a lot of ground in the outfield. With the speed and his plus-arm, he should be able to stick at center field.
Green has been rumored to be gone by the time the Rangers pick at # 3 but according to recent mock drafts, he may still be there for the taking. With a potential five-tool player the Rangers couldn’t go wrong with Green.
Druw Jones, OF
Age: 18 | Bats: R | Throws: R | School: Wesleyan High School
The Vanderbilt commit is the of Andruw Jones and may not be available for the Rangers to select with their 3rd overall pick. Jones has the same tools as his father: arm, speed and power. He’s got room to fill out which could produce more power. He’s got plus instincts and has been clocked with a 6.64 60-yard dash time. At this point is considered to be the number one pick of the 2022 MLB Draft.
Jackson Holliday, SS
Age: 18 | Bats: L | Throws: R | School: Stillwater
Jackson Holliday is currently the 3rd ranked prospect of draft eligible prospects and is projected to get picked within the first 10 picks. He is an 18-year-old shortstop and is the son of Matt Holliday, a seven-time former All-Star.
Holliday was named Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year for Oklahoma. Holliday collected 89 hits including 29 doubles, six triples and 17 home runs. He drove in 79 runs, walked 33 times and only struckout seven times.
Brooks Lee, SS
Age: 21 | Bats: S | Throws: R | School: Cal Poly
Lee is a college player so would see the majors relatively soon. He slashed a line of .357/.462/.664/1.125 with 15 home runs and 55 RBI. It’s always impressive when a player walks more than they strikeout. He worked 46 walks and struckout only 28 times. Lee’s name seems to be working up to within a top 5 pick and the latest mlb.com mock draft has the Rangers selecting Lee.
This is a developing story and will be updated multiple times leading up to the draft.
