When the season ended on Sunday, it was the end of a season that was mostly no fun. Many times, during the season it seemed like the season was over, only for the Rangers, mostly through no fault of their own, to find themselves right back into the playoff race. The roller coaster ride finally ended Sunday. There is plenty to be negative about. But let's be positive and focus on three players that sooner rather than later will find themselves to the Rangers' big-league roster.

Be thankful for one thing. The argument could have been made to call up any of these three players for the last week of the season. In order to do that they would have had to add them to the 40-man roster. If baseball was guaranteed to be played in 2027, maybe this might be a different argument, but at least now all three of these guys can continue their development if there is an extended pause to the season due to not being placed on the 40-man roster.

It's simple, if there is a major league lock out next season, no one can play minor league ball if they are on the 40-man roster. All three of these guys need more time in the minors. If a team removes a player from the roster, then they are placed on waivers for a seven-day period. The owner of the Rangers, Ray Davis, knows as well as anyone what is likely to happen next season.

Shortstop Sebastian Walcott was heavily talked about by the fans about being the replacement for Joc Pederson. After missing most of the season to Tommy John Surgery, Walcott came storming back ahead of schedule and did not disappoint. In 41 games across three levels of minor league ball, Walcott hit for a .325 average, with a .401 OBP and a .991 OPS. He had 10 HRS and 14 doubles.

Walcott did not see the field defensively except for a couple games at the end of the season due to his surgery. Defense is a major area of concern for Walcott. In each of his previous two seasons, he had had 24 errors. Walcott may very well bring some Elly De La Cruz magic to the Rangers. What you don't want is for him to bring is Elly De La Cruz's defense. Sebastain will only be 21 when the season starts next year, be patient, but his time is near.

If any player had a real argument to be called upon to make the leap from AA to the Majors, it was outfielder Dylan Dreiling. The 2024 College World Series MVP was the Baseball America's Rangers player of the year, after he put together a 25-game hit streak from July 31st to September 5th. For the season he hit for a .312 average, .380 OBP, and a .896 OPS. He added 22 home runs and 27 doubles. Dreiling for the season hit .326 off right-handed pitching and .260 off lefties. Dreiling maintained a .816 OPS off lefties as well. Dreiling played 102 games in centerfield this season.

Dreiling's rise at AA, may put some pressure on the Rangers to make a decision on Evan Carter. I'm not convinced that some of Carter's problems this season was the aftereffects of the wrist injury. If Carter is the Rangers' starting centerfielder whenever the season starts next year, he may have a very short leash if Dreiling continues to hit at the AAA level.

The Rangers pitching staff could have used left hander Dalton Pence the last couple weeks of the season. The Rangers 11th round draft pick in 2024 rose three minor league levels this season. He was 6-5 in 25 games/23 starts, with a 2.51 ERA. He closed out the season at AAA Round Rock going 4-1 with a 2.09 ERA. It is no surprise that he was named the Texas Rangers' minor league pitcher of the year.

Injuries in the rotation are going to happen, David Davillio, Winston Santos, and Jose Corinell all had disappointing seasons in 2026. Depending on what happens in the off season, I can see Pence making the roster out of spring training. If he doesn't and his upward trend continues, he will be an early season call up.

I'll end this by saying I'm often critical of the Rangers farm system, but this year we saw the offensive number greatly improve from the 2025 season. I think there are some under the radar prospects in the farm system. Let's hope that trend continues because player development will be more important than ever if a salary cap becomes reality in MLB.