Draft Player Rankings

Here are my player rankings (only the top 41 players) by position after having dug through the player reports by BA and J. Mayo at MiLB. They are divided up by tier, with those in each tier being relatively equal, all things considered.

My preference for the Rangers' first pick is one of the second tier (B.) college pitchers over whatever HS pitcher is on the board. My preference would be for Chris Jenkins or Aaron Crow as I think that they are the two who have realistic ceilings as #2 SP. The hype that the Nationals were zeroing in on Jenkins as he would be a value pick who they would take early to sign for slot were wrong. Jenkins is a top 15 caliber pick, top 10 depending on the way things shake out.

Alex White, Leake and Gibson (pre-injury) are likely #3 starters while Scheppers, JPax and Brothers have #2 ceilings but due to problems with their command, health, track record and/or secondary pitches could end up being 3/4 guys instead.

If JPax or Kyle Gibson fall to TX at their supplemental pick (44), I would definitely consider pulling the trigger but would probably wait until the second round if they are still around. If TX should decide not to sign them due to money demands or health concerns, TX would get that second round pick back next year. I don't like Tate at all for his asking price so he shouldn't really be on my board at all. If it comes down to Green and a tier C college starter like Scheppers, I would probably take Green. I think he will be an all-star SS, both with the glove and with the bat, and should be considered a top 10 pick, so yea, you snap him up. Even if Scheppers turns into a #2 it will likely be after Green makes his debut; Green is a sure thing IMO, Scheppers is not.

Texas has the following picks (through 7):
1. 14
1S. 44
2. 62
3. 93
4. 124 (just add 30 after 4th)
5. 154
6. 184
7. 214

College Starting Pitchers
A. Strasberg
B. Crow, Jenkins, Leake, Gibson(pre-inj)
C. Scheppers, JPax, Brothers, White
D. Gibson (post-inj)
E. Minor
F. Black, Bashore, Dwyer, A. Miller, Boxberger
E. Marks, Doyle, E. Smith, Belfiore, Volz

College Relievers
A. Storen, Heckathorne
B. Arnett, Oliver, Dyson
C. Wilson, Morris, Stoffell Bullock
D. Kelly, Hale, Tootle
E. Buch...

HS pitchers
A. Matzek, Purke, James, Turner
B. Miller, Wheeler, Gould
C. Skaggs
D. Rosenberg, Colvin, Younginer
E. Sampson, D. Williams
F. Bergland

College hitters
A. Ackley (of/1b), Greene (ss)
B. J. Mitchell(cf), T. Wheeler(cf/lf)
C. Sanchez (c)
D. Pollock(lf), Poythress (1b/dh), B. Jackson(lf)

HS hitters
A. Tate (of)
B. Borchering(3b/1b), Fuentes(cf), Bailey, C (pre-inj)
C. Mier(ss), Myers(c/3b/rh), Stassi(c)
D. E. Williams(cf/lf), Trout(cf/lf)
E. Washington(cf), Franklin(ss), Givens(ss, Bailey (post-inj)



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