The Texas Rangers have extended invitations to Major League Spring Training to 10 promising prospects, increasing the anticipated player count in Surprise, Arizona, to 61. Headlining the list of invitees is Wyatt Langford, who was drafted last season and is ranked as the 13th-best prospect in all of baseball according to MLB Pipeline. He was also just named in the top 5 prospects lists by Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus.
Wyatt Langford (OF)
Langford showcased his prowess moving quickly through the Rangers farm system. He finished the season in Triple-A Round Rock. In his first professional season he boasted quite an impressive slash line of .360/.480/.677/1.157 with 10 home runs, 17 doubles, 30 RBIs, 36 walks, and 12 stolen bases in just 44 games.
Jack Leiter (RHP)
Jack Leiter, the Rangers 1st round pick in 2021, is also invited. Leiter struggled out of gate in 2023 which led to him being placed on the development list to work on things. Leiter finished the season on a strong note. Over his last 16.1 innings in Frisco, he issued only 4 walks and struck out 25, holding opposing batters to a .186 average. He was then promoted to Triple-A Round Rock where he made one start.
Abimelec Ortiz (1B/DH/RF)
First baseman Abimelec Ortiz, the Rangers’ Tom Grieve Minor League Player of the Year, brings his stellar performance to spring training after batting .294/.371/.619/.990 with 33 home runs, 20 doubles, 101 RBIs, and 49 walks between Down East and Hickory. His 33 home runs led the entire Texas Rangers farm system.
Emiliano Teodo (RHP)
Pitcher Emiliano Teodo, honored as the Arizona Fall League’s Reliever of the Year, also received an invitation after an outstanding performance that included an impressive 48.7% strikeout rate in 11 innings of relief.
Teodo’s season with High-A Hickory featured a 5-3 record, a 4.52 ERA, and 84 strikeouts in 18 games.
Blaine Crim (1B/DH)
First baseman Blaine Crim has consistently hit at every level. This was no different in 2023. With the Round Rock Express, he slashed .290/.385/.506/.891 with 22 home runs and 85 RBI.
He also played in the Dominican Winter League but the line wasn’t as pretty. In 22 games, he hit .196/.324/.339/.663 with 2 home runs and 8 RBI.
Davis Wendzel (3B/SS)
The roster additions continue with infielder Davis Wendzel, who led the Round Rock Express in home runs with 30 on the season which is a new career-high. He knocked in 74 runs which is also a career-high for him.
Liam Hicks (C/1B)
Catcher Liam Hicks, slashed .275/.414/.373/.787 with 4 home runs and 45 RBI between High-A Down East and Double-A Frisco.
Daniel Robert (RHP)
Robert spent the entire season with the Triple-A Round Rock Express and finished with a 1-2 win-loss record and a 4.40 earned run average in 43 innings.
Grant Wolfram (LHP)
With an impressive 10-1 record mostly coming out of the pen, Wolfram, earned victories in a quarter of his appearances (40). All of the wins came during his time with Frisco. He appeared in 11 games for the Express. For the season, he had a 3.90 ERA over 62.1 innings last season, issuing 24 walks and striking 78 batters out.
Aaron Zavala (OF)
Zavala is a player that I’ve been keeping an eye on. Last season was a down year for him. He played in 95 games and struggled at the plate, hitting .194/.343/.285/.627 with 5 home runs and 40 RBI.
Baseball is going to be back soon. Pitchers and catchers are set to report on February 14 (Valentine’s Day), which is fitting because we all love the Rangers.