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1 PROSPECT JURICKSON PROFAR, SS/2B
BORN: Feb. 20, 1993. B-T: B-R. HT.: 6-0. WT.: 165. SIGNED: Curacao, 2009. SIGNED BY: Mike Daly/Chu Halabi/Jose Felomina.
BACKGROUND: Profar served as the bellwether for the Rangers’ renewed emphasis and success in Latin America. As an amateur in Curacao, he garnered attention more as a pitcher with low-90s heat and feel for a breaking ball, starring on a team that won the 2004 Little League World Series. Texas acquiesced to his desire to play shortstop after signing him for $1.55 million in 2009, and neither party has any regrets. No prospect this side of Mike Trout has a better minor league résumé than Profar. He ranked as the top prospect in the short-season Northwest League in his 2010 pro debut, then for an encore won MVP honors in the low Class A South Atlantic League in 2011 after posting an .883 OPS at age 18. He earned a promotion to Double-A Frisco for 2012, skipping over high Class A entirely, and ranked as not only the Texas League’s youngest player (19) but also its No. 1 prospect (ahead of, among others, BA Minor League Player of the Year Wil Myers). Profar’s body of work in the Futures Game includes a triple against the Twins’ Kyle Gibson in 2011 and a solo homer off the Royals’ Jake Odorizzi in 2012.
SCOUTING REPORT: To paraphrase one Rangers instructor, Profar may not have the most power, the most speed or the strongest arm on the field, but typically he’s the best player out there. A natural righthanded hitter, he learned to switch-hit after signing and now shows uncommon bat speed from both sides of the plate, lending him more power than his lean 6-foot frame suggests. Profar surprises some opponents with his pop—which is above-average for a middle infielder—but he may have to tone down his swing to maximize his overall production. He takes a disciplined approach to hitting, with strong knowledge of the strike zone that ought to make him a consistent .300 hitter in his prime. An above-average defender at shortstop, Profar has instincts that outstrip his plus range. His hands and arm are above-average as well. Some of his throws to first base tend to sail when he gets on the side of the ball, but that’s just a matter of adjustment. He has solid speed and knows how to use it on the bases, stealing 16 bases in 20 tries in 2012. Observers rave about Profar’s mental toughness, leadership skills and grace under pressure. “He’s all about winning and getting better,” one club oÿcial said. As his body matures, he ought to hold up better under the rigors of the long season.
THE FUTURE: When he signed, Profar told the Rangers he would reach the big leagues by the time he was 20. He actually completed his journey five months ahead of schedule last September and became the second-youngest player in major league history to homer in his first at-bat. He played sporadically down the stretch but made the Rangers’ playoff roster for their wild-card game against the Orioles. Even if he begins the 2013 season in Triple-A Round Rock, Profar’s talent probably will win out and result in a promotion to Texas during the season. He likely will move to second base in deference to Elvis Andrus, pushing Ian Kinsler to the outfield. Few prospects represent a safer bet to develop into a first-division regular and future all-star than Profar.
2. MIKE OLT, 3B/1B
BORN: Aug. 27, 1988. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-2. WT.: 210. DRAFTED: Connecticut, 2010 (1st round supplemental). SIGNED BY: Jay Heafner.
BACKGROUND: The 49th overall pick in the 2010 draft, Olt raced to Texas in little more than two years despite missing half of the 2011 season after breaking his collarbone in a home-plate collision. He led the Double-A Texas League with 28 homers and a .579 slugging percentage in 2012 before being called up in August. Plantar fasciitis in his left foot kept him out of the lineup for most of September.
SCOUTING REPORT: With plus raw power and strong hitting approach, Olt is a threat to go deep anytime he steps to the plate. He works deep counts and piles up both walks and strikeouts, so his average will settle in the .260-.270 range. Pitchers have had success exploiting the length in his swing by attacking him with high fastballs, and he continues to work to identify and stay back on breaking balls. Scouts say Olt is a joy to watch defensively, owing to his agility and ability to make throws from any angle. He’s a well below-average runner.
THE FUTURE: Like Profar, Olt has advanced rapidly thanks to his tools, work ethic and mental toughness. He’s blocked in Texas by Adrian Beltre, so a shift to first base or an outfield corner could be in the works. A potential all-star, he could open 2013 in the big league lineup or get a couple of months in Triple-A.
3. MARTIN PEREZ, LHP
BORN: April 4, 1991. B-T: L-L. HT.: 6-0. WT.: 180. SIGNED: Venezuela, 2007. SIGNED BY: Rafic Saab/Manny Batista/Don Welke.
BACKGROUND: Signed for $580,000, Perez sped to Double-A as an 18-year-old. His progress stalled in Triple-A the last two seasons, when he posted a 4.86 ERA over 176 innings with pedestrian strikeout (5.4) and walk (3.9) rates per nine innings. Called to Texas in late June as an injury fill-in, he struggled to locate his pitches and got hit hard.
SCOUTING REPORT: Despite Perez’s lackluster results, scouts continue to give him positive evaluations for his above-average stuff, compact and repeatable delivery, clean arm action and youth. His fastball sits at 91-92 mph and tops out near 95, and his low-80s changeup gives him a second plus pitch at times. His curveball ranges from the low to high 70s and often features depth. Perez gets hit when he falls behind, so the Rangers introduced a two-seam fastball and slider to his repertoire. That gave him two weapons with horizontal action and a chance to induce groundouts early in counts.
THE FUTURE: While expectations for Perez have downshifted from future ace to solid mid-rotation starter, he’s a reasonable bet to get there. He seemed to respond to a consultation with Rangers special assistant Greg Maddux during the season, where the two reviewed pitch sequencing and game planning. Perez could be ready for an expanded role in Texas in 2013.
4. LEONYS MARTIN, OF
BORN: March 6, 1988. B-T: L-R. HT.: 6-2. WT.: 190. SIGNED: Cuba, 2011. SIGNED BY: Chu Halabi/Jose Fernandez/Don Welke.
BACKGROUND: A backup to Yoenis Cespedes on Cuba’s 2009 World Baseball Classic squad, Martin defected the following year and signed a five-year, $15.6 million major league deal in May 2011. Among Triple-A Pacific Coast League players with at least 250 plate appearances, he ranked second in hitting (.359) and third in on-base percentage (.422) and slugging (.610) in 2012. He missed five weeks after tearing a ligament in his left thumb in May.
SCOUTING REPORT:The Rangers say Martin has more power than he gets credit for, and he hits home runs with ease during batting practice. They would like him to tone down his swing and focus more on lining balls to the gaps, however, in order to take advantage of his plus speed. That attribute also boosts his average via bunts and infield hits as well as providing him with solid range in center field. Martin knows the strike zone and has the bat path to hit for average, so he profiles as a top-of-the-order threat capable of providing 20 steals and strong defense. He also has an above-average arm.
THE FUTURE: Despite hitting .324/.390/.502 in the high minors, Martin has struggled during brief stints with the Rangers. His injury and inactivity in the big leagues cut into his development time in 2012, but at worst he figures to be a platoon option for Texas in 2013.
5. JUSTIN GRIMM, RHP
BORN: Aug. 16, 1988. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-3. WT.: 195. DRAFTED: Georgia, 2010 (5th round). SIGNED BY: Ryan Coe.
BACKGROUND: Grimm adapted quickly to the routine of pro ball following a wildly erratic college career at Georgia, where he ran up a 5.80 ERA in three seasons. He beat the Astros in his June 16 debut, little more than a year and a half after making his pro debut in low Class A.
SCOUTING REPORT: Grimm decimated Double-A competition with a strong three-pitch mix and plus control. He found the going tougher in Triple-A and the big leagues when batters tended not to chase his 12-to-6 curveball. He pitches at 91-94 mph while commanding his fastball to both sides of the plate. That helps him work ahead of batters and set up his curve, changeup and slider/cutter hybrid. His changeup has come the farthest since turning pro, helping him hold minor league lefties to a .231 average while sporting a 4-1 K-BB ratio against them in 2012. Adding the slider gives Grimm the ability to change the speed and shape on his breaking ball, while also helping him stay in the zone more frequently.
THE FUTURE: Texas bypassed Martin Perez, who already was on the 40-man roster, when it called on Grimm in June. Both could earn larger roles with the Rangers in 2013, whether starting or relieving. Most scouts see Grimm as a potential mid-rotation starter.
6. LUKE JACKSON, RHP
BORN: Aug. 24, 1991. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-2. WT.: 185. DRAFTED: HS—Fort Lauderdale, 2010 (1st round supplemental). SIGNED BY: Juan Alvarez.
BACKGROUND: Jackson offered perhaps the best combination of present velocity and future projection among Florida high school arms in the 2010 draft when the Rangers snagged him with the 45th pick and paid him $1.545 million. His stuff has been more impressive than his results in pro ball, though Texas says none of its pitching prospects made more progress in 2012 than he did.
SCOUTING REPORT: Jackson can touch 97 mph and works steadily at 93-94 with his fastball, holding that velocity deep into starts and delivering the ball on a steep downhill plane. His curveball frequently features tight rotation and power, grading as a potential well above-average pitch if he learns to locate it. The changeup is a relatively new addition to his arsenal and needs further refinement. A lengthy arm action and busy delivery affect Jackson’s fastball command and contribute to his curve squirting out of his hand when he holds the ball too long in an effort to generate spin. He leans backward at his balance point and often fails to transfer his weight up front, blocking off the extension in his delivery and finish on his pitches.
THE FUTURE: With a surefire major league arm, Jackson could grow into a No. 2 starter or shutdown reliever. He ought to get his first taste of Double-A at some point in 2013.
7. LUIS SARDINAS, SS/2B
BORN: May 16, 1993. B-T: B-R. HT.: 6-1. WT.: 150. SIGNED: Venezuela, 2009. SIGNED BY: Mike Daly/Rafic Saab/Pedro Avila.
BACKGROUND: Sardinas and Jurickson Profar both signed seven-figure deals with the Rangers as 16-year-old shortstops on July 2, 2009. While Profar has rocketed to the big leagues, Sardinas has made slower progress while contending with injures since signing for $1.2 million. A broken finger delayed his 2010 pro debut, and a dislocated shoulder that required surgery limited him to 14 games the following year. He was mostly healthy in 2012, missing time here and there with shoulder soreness.
SCOUTING REPORT: Sardinas has some of the most intriguing tools in the system. His speed, arm strength and defensive potential all grade as double-plus. He has a knack for hitting and shows looseness from both sides of the plate even with excess movement in his setup. Because he’s skinny, he likes to use an exaggerated load, but Texas has stressed that proper hitting position and a balanced, direct swing will translate to some natural power. Sardinas is an effective basestealer who succeeded on 32 of 41 tries in 2012. With quick feet and plenty of agility, he can make all the plays at shortstop.
THE FUTURE: Sardinas hit .326/.366/.436 in 181 second-half at-bats and gained further experience in the Arizona Fall League, readying for the jump to high Class A in 2013. His offensive development and health will determine whether he’ll be a first-division regular.
8. CODY BUCKEL, RHP
BORN: June 18, 1992. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-1. WT.: 170. DRAFTED: HS—Simi Valley, Calif., 2010 (2nd round). SIGNED BY: Todd Guggiana.
BACKGROUND: Like sub-6-foot Rangers prospects Robbie Erlin and Robbie Ross before him, Buckel combines short stature, swing-and-miss stuff and results. An offseason workout routine with Diamondbacks prospect Trevor Bauer prior to the 2012 season provided Buckel with ammunition for his long-toss regimen, mechanics and repertoire.
SCOUTING REPORT: Buckel claims tweaks to his delivery—which scouts compare to Tim Lincecum’s—allowed him to maintain his velocity deeper into starts as he climbed to Double-A at age 20 in late June. He sits at 90-91 mph and touches 94 with running life, though his fastball plane tends to be flat. As a result, he leans on a repertoire of secondary pitches that grade as average or better. Buckel likes to pitch up in the strike zone with his fastball, then change eye levels with a plus curveball. He’ll work to his glove side with a tight slider or slow bats with a solid changeup. He got in trouble at Frisco when he pitched backward, but improved as his fastball location got better.
THE FUTURE: Buckel’s repertoire and polish could be attractive in a back-of-the-rotation role to the Rangers or a club that trades for him. He could be ready for a big league audition by the second half of 2013 or early 2014.
9. JORGE ALFARO, C/1B
BORN: June 11, 1993. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-2. WT.: 185. SIGNED: Colombia, 2010. SIGNED BY: Rodolfo Rosario/Don Welke.
BACKGROUND: Going unsigned during the 2009 international signing period prompted Alfaro to shift from third base to catcher and move his home base from Colombia to the Dominican Republic, broadening his appeal. He signed for $1.3 million in January 2010, establishing a record for a Colombian amateur. He wowed observers with his raw tools while making his full-season debut in 2012, but he caught just 29 games as he dealt with a hamstring injury and shoulder inflammation.
SCOUTING REPORT: Alfaro’s mature frame and wicked bat speed produce plus raw power, but he’ll need to tone down his aggressiveness to tap into it. Texas widened his hitting base to cut down on his lunging, and in order to enhance his discipline they encouraged him to trust his hands and not go outside his preferred hitting zone. With plus-plus arm strength and a live body, Alfaro engenders confidence that he can develop into an asset on defense. At this stage, however, his blocking and receiving skills are raw and his arm a bit scattershot. He threw out just 15 percent of basestealers in 2012. Exceptionally athletic for a catcher, he has close to average speed.
THE FUTURE: Alfaro headed to the Puerto Rican League to continue to work with Rangers catching instructor Hector Ortiz, who manages at Ponce. If he can learn to slow the game down, Alfaro could be an all-star.
10. JOEY GALLO, 3B
BORN: Nov. 19, 1993. B-T: L-R. HT.: 6-5. WT.: 205. DRAFTED: HS—Las Vegas, 2012 (1st round supplemental). SIGNED BY: Todd Guggiana.
BACKGROUND: Gallo established a pair of home run records in 2012, a year in which he signed for a well above-slot $2.25 million as the draft’s 39th overall selection. He set a Nevada high school record with 65 career homers, then blasted 18 in the Rookie-level Arizona League to establish its single-season standard and win the circuit’s MVP award.
SCOUTING REPORT: Top-of-the-scale raw power is Gallo’s calling card, as he uses his quick hands to drive the ball to all fields. The question is how much he can tap into it because he swings and misses a lot. He expanded his strike zone in pro ball and piled up strikeouts after oppponents began pitching him backward. He works deep counts and takes his walks, and the Rangers think he can reduce his strikeouts and streakiness if he continues to shorten his path to the ball. Gallo has sure hands but subpar range at third base, so Texas has put him through agility drills to improve his first-step quickness. He sat in the mid-90s as a pitcher in high school and has a plus arm, but he made 17 errors in 56 pro games because he has trouble setting his feet on throws.
THE FUTURE: If Gallo can improve his feel for hitting and prove himself at third base, he could make a relatively quick climb. Those are big ifs, however.
BORN: Feb. 20, 1993. B-T: B-R. HT.: 6-0. WT.: 165. SIGNED: Curacao, 2009. SIGNED BY: Mike Daly/Chu Halabi/Jose Felomina.
BACKGROUND: Profar served as the bellwether for the Rangers’ renewed emphasis and success in Latin America. As an amateur in Curacao, he garnered attention more as a pitcher with low-90s heat and feel for a breaking ball, starring on a team that won the 2004 Little League World Series. Texas acquiesced to his desire to play shortstop after signing him for $1.55 million in 2009, and neither party has any regrets. No prospect this side of Mike Trout has a better minor league résumé than Profar. He ranked as the top prospect in the short-season Northwest League in his 2010 pro debut, then for an encore won MVP honors in the low Class A South Atlantic League in 2011 after posting an .883 OPS at age 18. He earned a promotion to Double-A Frisco for 2012, skipping over high Class A entirely, and ranked as not only the Texas League’s youngest player (19) but also its No. 1 prospect (ahead of, among others, BA Minor League Player of the Year Wil Myers). Profar’s body of work in the Futures Game includes a triple against the Twins’ Kyle Gibson in 2011 and a solo homer off the Royals’ Jake Odorizzi in 2012.
SCOUTING REPORT: To paraphrase one Rangers instructor, Profar may not have the most power, the most speed or the strongest arm on the field, but typically he’s the best player out there. A natural righthanded hitter, he learned to switch-hit after signing and now shows uncommon bat speed from both sides of the plate, lending him more power than his lean 6-foot frame suggests. Profar surprises some opponents with his pop—which is above-average for a middle infielder—but he may have to tone down his swing to maximize his overall production. He takes a disciplined approach to hitting, with strong knowledge of the strike zone that ought to make him a consistent .300 hitter in his prime. An above-average defender at shortstop, Profar has instincts that outstrip his plus range. His hands and arm are above-average as well. Some of his throws to first base tend to sail when he gets on the side of the ball, but that’s just a matter of adjustment. He has solid speed and knows how to use it on the bases, stealing 16 bases in 20 tries in 2012. Observers rave about Profar’s mental toughness, leadership skills and grace under pressure. “He’s all about winning and getting better,” one club oÿcial said. As his body matures, he ought to hold up better under the rigors of the long season.
THE FUTURE: When he signed, Profar told the Rangers he would reach the big leagues by the time he was 20. He actually completed his journey five months ahead of schedule last September and became the second-youngest player in major league history to homer in his first at-bat. He played sporadically down the stretch but made the Rangers’ playoff roster for their wild-card game against the Orioles. Even if he begins the 2013 season in Triple-A Round Rock, Profar’s talent probably will win out and result in a promotion to Texas during the season. He likely will move to second base in deference to Elvis Andrus, pushing Ian Kinsler to the outfield. Few prospects represent a safer bet to develop into a first-division regular and future all-star than Profar.
2. MIKE OLT, 3B/1B
BORN: Aug. 27, 1988. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-2. WT.: 210. DRAFTED: Connecticut, 2010 (1st round supplemental). SIGNED BY: Jay Heafner.
BACKGROUND: The 49th overall pick in the 2010 draft, Olt raced to Texas in little more than two years despite missing half of the 2011 season after breaking his collarbone in a home-plate collision. He led the Double-A Texas League with 28 homers and a .579 slugging percentage in 2012 before being called up in August. Plantar fasciitis in his left foot kept him out of the lineup for most of September.
SCOUTING REPORT: With plus raw power and strong hitting approach, Olt is a threat to go deep anytime he steps to the plate. He works deep counts and piles up both walks and strikeouts, so his average will settle in the .260-.270 range. Pitchers have had success exploiting the length in his swing by attacking him with high fastballs, and he continues to work to identify and stay back on breaking balls. Scouts say Olt is a joy to watch defensively, owing to his agility and ability to make throws from any angle. He’s a well below-average runner.
THE FUTURE: Like Profar, Olt has advanced rapidly thanks to his tools, work ethic and mental toughness. He’s blocked in Texas by Adrian Beltre, so a shift to first base or an outfield corner could be in the works. A potential all-star, he could open 2013 in the big league lineup or get a couple of months in Triple-A.
3. MARTIN PEREZ, LHP
BORN: April 4, 1991. B-T: L-L. HT.: 6-0. WT.: 180. SIGNED: Venezuela, 2007. SIGNED BY: Rafic Saab/Manny Batista/Don Welke.
BACKGROUND: Signed for $580,000, Perez sped to Double-A as an 18-year-old. His progress stalled in Triple-A the last two seasons, when he posted a 4.86 ERA over 176 innings with pedestrian strikeout (5.4) and walk (3.9) rates per nine innings. Called to Texas in late June as an injury fill-in, he struggled to locate his pitches and got hit hard.
SCOUTING REPORT: Despite Perez’s lackluster results, scouts continue to give him positive evaluations for his above-average stuff, compact and repeatable delivery, clean arm action and youth. His fastball sits at 91-92 mph and tops out near 95, and his low-80s changeup gives him a second plus pitch at times. His curveball ranges from the low to high 70s and often features depth. Perez gets hit when he falls behind, so the Rangers introduced a two-seam fastball and slider to his repertoire. That gave him two weapons with horizontal action and a chance to induce groundouts early in counts.
THE FUTURE: While expectations for Perez have downshifted from future ace to solid mid-rotation starter, he’s a reasonable bet to get there. He seemed to respond to a consultation with Rangers special assistant Greg Maddux during the season, where the two reviewed pitch sequencing and game planning. Perez could be ready for an expanded role in Texas in 2013.
4. LEONYS MARTIN, OF
BORN: March 6, 1988. B-T: L-R. HT.: 6-2. WT.: 190. SIGNED: Cuba, 2011. SIGNED BY: Chu Halabi/Jose Fernandez/Don Welke.
BACKGROUND: A backup to Yoenis Cespedes on Cuba’s 2009 World Baseball Classic squad, Martin defected the following year and signed a five-year, $15.6 million major league deal in May 2011. Among Triple-A Pacific Coast League players with at least 250 plate appearances, he ranked second in hitting (.359) and third in on-base percentage (.422) and slugging (.610) in 2012. He missed five weeks after tearing a ligament in his left thumb in May.
SCOUTING REPORT:The Rangers say Martin has more power than he gets credit for, and he hits home runs with ease during batting practice. They would like him to tone down his swing and focus more on lining balls to the gaps, however, in order to take advantage of his plus speed. That attribute also boosts his average via bunts and infield hits as well as providing him with solid range in center field. Martin knows the strike zone and has the bat path to hit for average, so he profiles as a top-of-the-order threat capable of providing 20 steals and strong defense. He also has an above-average arm.
THE FUTURE: Despite hitting .324/.390/.502 in the high minors, Martin has struggled during brief stints with the Rangers. His injury and inactivity in the big leagues cut into his development time in 2012, but at worst he figures to be a platoon option for Texas in 2013.
5. JUSTIN GRIMM, RHP
BORN: Aug. 16, 1988. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-3. WT.: 195. DRAFTED: Georgia, 2010 (5th round). SIGNED BY: Ryan Coe.
BACKGROUND: Grimm adapted quickly to the routine of pro ball following a wildly erratic college career at Georgia, where he ran up a 5.80 ERA in three seasons. He beat the Astros in his June 16 debut, little more than a year and a half after making his pro debut in low Class A.
SCOUTING REPORT: Grimm decimated Double-A competition with a strong three-pitch mix and plus control. He found the going tougher in Triple-A and the big leagues when batters tended not to chase his 12-to-6 curveball. He pitches at 91-94 mph while commanding his fastball to both sides of the plate. That helps him work ahead of batters and set up his curve, changeup and slider/cutter hybrid. His changeup has come the farthest since turning pro, helping him hold minor league lefties to a .231 average while sporting a 4-1 K-BB ratio against them in 2012. Adding the slider gives Grimm the ability to change the speed and shape on his breaking ball, while also helping him stay in the zone more frequently.
THE FUTURE: Texas bypassed Martin Perez, who already was on the 40-man roster, when it called on Grimm in June. Both could earn larger roles with the Rangers in 2013, whether starting or relieving. Most scouts see Grimm as a potential mid-rotation starter.
6. LUKE JACKSON, RHP
BORN: Aug. 24, 1991. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-2. WT.: 185. DRAFTED: HS—Fort Lauderdale, 2010 (1st round supplemental). SIGNED BY: Juan Alvarez.
BACKGROUND: Jackson offered perhaps the best combination of present velocity and future projection among Florida high school arms in the 2010 draft when the Rangers snagged him with the 45th pick and paid him $1.545 million. His stuff has been more impressive than his results in pro ball, though Texas says none of its pitching prospects made more progress in 2012 than he did.
SCOUTING REPORT: Jackson can touch 97 mph and works steadily at 93-94 with his fastball, holding that velocity deep into starts and delivering the ball on a steep downhill plane. His curveball frequently features tight rotation and power, grading as a potential well above-average pitch if he learns to locate it. The changeup is a relatively new addition to his arsenal and needs further refinement. A lengthy arm action and busy delivery affect Jackson’s fastball command and contribute to his curve squirting out of his hand when he holds the ball too long in an effort to generate spin. He leans backward at his balance point and often fails to transfer his weight up front, blocking off the extension in his delivery and finish on his pitches.
THE FUTURE: With a surefire major league arm, Jackson could grow into a No. 2 starter or shutdown reliever. He ought to get his first taste of Double-A at some point in 2013.
7. LUIS SARDINAS, SS/2B
BORN: May 16, 1993. B-T: B-R. HT.: 6-1. WT.: 150. SIGNED: Venezuela, 2009. SIGNED BY: Mike Daly/Rafic Saab/Pedro Avila.
BACKGROUND: Sardinas and Jurickson Profar both signed seven-figure deals with the Rangers as 16-year-old shortstops on July 2, 2009. While Profar has rocketed to the big leagues, Sardinas has made slower progress while contending with injures since signing for $1.2 million. A broken finger delayed his 2010 pro debut, and a dislocated shoulder that required surgery limited him to 14 games the following year. He was mostly healthy in 2012, missing time here and there with shoulder soreness.
SCOUTING REPORT: Sardinas has some of the most intriguing tools in the system. His speed, arm strength and defensive potential all grade as double-plus. He has a knack for hitting and shows looseness from both sides of the plate even with excess movement in his setup. Because he’s skinny, he likes to use an exaggerated load, but Texas has stressed that proper hitting position and a balanced, direct swing will translate to some natural power. Sardinas is an effective basestealer who succeeded on 32 of 41 tries in 2012. With quick feet and plenty of agility, he can make all the plays at shortstop.
THE FUTURE: Sardinas hit .326/.366/.436 in 181 second-half at-bats and gained further experience in the Arizona Fall League, readying for the jump to high Class A in 2013. His offensive development and health will determine whether he’ll be a first-division regular.
8. CODY BUCKEL, RHP
BORN: June 18, 1992. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-1. WT.: 170. DRAFTED: HS—Simi Valley, Calif., 2010 (2nd round). SIGNED BY: Todd Guggiana.
BACKGROUND: Like sub-6-foot Rangers prospects Robbie Erlin and Robbie Ross before him, Buckel combines short stature, swing-and-miss stuff and results. An offseason workout routine with Diamondbacks prospect Trevor Bauer prior to the 2012 season provided Buckel with ammunition for his long-toss regimen, mechanics and repertoire.
SCOUTING REPORT: Buckel claims tweaks to his delivery—which scouts compare to Tim Lincecum’s—allowed him to maintain his velocity deeper into starts as he climbed to Double-A at age 20 in late June. He sits at 90-91 mph and touches 94 with running life, though his fastball plane tends to be flat. As a result, he leans on a repertoire of secondary pitches that grade as average or better. Buckel likes to pitch up in the strike zone with his fastball, then change eye levels with a plus curveball. He’ll work to his glove side with a tight slider or slow bats with a solid changeup. He got in trouble at Frisco when he pitched backward, but improved as his fastball location got better.
THE FUTURE: Buckel’s repertoire and polish could be attractive in a back-of-the-rotation role to the Rangers or a club that trades for him. He could be ready for a big league audition by the second half of 2013 or early 2014.
9. JORGE ALFARO, C/1B
BORN: June 11, 1993. B-T: R-R. HT.: 6-2. WT.: 185. SIGNED: Colombia, 2010. SIGNED BY: Rodolfo Rosario/Don Welke.
BACKGROUND: Going unsigned during the 2009 international signing period prompted Alfaro to shift from third base to catcher and move his home base from Colombia to the Dominican Republic, broadening his appeal. He signed for $1.3 million in January 2010, establishing a record for a Colombian amateur. He wowed observers with his raw tools while making his full-season debut in 2012, but he caught just 29 games as he dealt with a hamstring injury and shoulder inflammation.
SCOUTING REPORT: Alfaro’s mature frame and wicked bat speed produce plus raw power, but he’ll need to tone down his aggressiveness to tap into it. Texas widened his hitting base to cut down on his lunging, and in order to enhance his discipline they encouraged him to trust his hands and not go outside his preferred hitting zone. With plus-plus arm strength and a live body, Alfaro engenders confidence that he can develop into an asset on defense. At this stage, however, his blocking and receiving skills are raw and his arm a bit scattershot. He threw out just 15 percent of basestealers in 2012. Exceptionally athletic for a catcher, he has close to average speed.
THE FUTURE: Alfaro headed to the Puerto Rican League to continue to work with Rangers catching instructor Hector Ortiz, who manages at Ponce. If he can learn to slow the game down, Alfaro could be an all-star.
10. JOEY GALLO, 3B
BORN: Nov. 19, 1993. B-T: L-R. HT.: 6-5. WT.: 205. DRAFTED: HS—Las Vegas, 2012 (1st round supplemental). SIGNED BY: Todd Guggiana.
BACKGROUND: Gallo established a pair of home run records in 2012, a year in which he signed for a well above-slot $2.25 million as the draft’s 39th overall selection. He set a Nevada high school record with 65 career homers, then blasted 18 in the Rookie-level Arizona League to establish its single-season standard and win the circuit’s MVP award.
SCOUTING REPORT: Top-of-the-scale raw power is Gallo’s calling card, as he uses his quick hands to drive the ball to all fields. The question is how much he can tap into it because he swings and misses a lot. He expanded his strike zone in pro ball and piled up strikeouts after oppponents began pitching him backward. He works deep counts and takes his walks, and the Rangers think he can reduce his strikeouts and streakiness if he continues to shorten his path to the ball. Gallo has sure hands but subpar range at third base, so Texas has put him through agility drills to improve his first-step quickness. He sat in the mid-90s as a pitcher in high school and has a plus arm, but he made 17 errors in 56 pro games because he has trouble setting his feet on throws.
THE FUTURE: If Gallo can improve his feel for hitting and prove himself at third base, he could make a relatively quick climb. Those are big ifs, however.
