With no baseball, we’re left to sit around and make lists. Good thing we were already in the beginning stages of ranking our top 20 Rangers prospects for the year. We’ve been unveiling one a day from Monday through Friday over the course of four weeks, based on rankings from Baseball America, MLB Pipeline and our own research.
One annual caveat: It’s impossible to compare prospects evenly. One guy may have a higher floor and a quicker path to the majors, but another may have more risk and upside. It’s all a balancing act. We’d like to think that if we err on any side, it is slightly toward performance.
No. 14: Davis Wendzel, 3B
The backstory
The Rangers drafted both of the Big 12’s Co-players of the Year in the first round of last year’s draft. After taking Texas Tech’s Josh Jung eighth overall, the Rangers used the pick they acquired from Milwaukee (41st overall) on Baylor’s Wendzel.
Wendzel, 22, hit .326 with 24 homers over three seasons at Baylor. He signed for a $1.6 million bonus, $200,000 below slot value.
About 2019
Wendzel got a late start after signing last year due to a thumb injury he suffered during the NCAA Tournament. He wasn’t activated until Aug. 22 and ended up getting just 19 at-bats between the Arizona Rookie League and Spokane.
He had six hits and five walks in his 25 plate appearances.
The scouting report
Wendzel has the hands to play anywhere in the infield. With Jung and Sherten Apostel in the system, he may have to eventually move positions. He was expected to work out at all four positions this spring. He also doesn’t project to have as much power as Jung or Apostel, which could impact his ability to stay at third base.
But he does have good instincts and an above-average arm for the infield. He also has an advanced feel for the strike zone, which will serve him well.
The Rangers’ top 20 prospects
No. 20: SS Chris Seise
No. 19: RHP Demarcus Evans
No. 18: RHP Tyler Phillips
No. 17: SS Luisangel Acuña
No. 16: C David Garcia
No. 15: SS Osleivis Basabe
No. 14: 3B Davis Wendzel
No. 13: RHP Jonathan Hernandez
No. 12: INF Anderson Tejeda
No. 11: RHP Ronny Henriquez
No. 10: LHP Joe Palumbo
No. 9: RHP Hans Crouse
No. 8: SS Maximo Acosta
No. 7: 3B Sherten Apostel
No. 6: RHP Ricky Vanasco
No. 5: RHP Cole Winn
No. 4: INF-OF Nick Solak
No. 3: CF Leody Taveras
No. 2: C Sam Huff
No. 1: 3B Josh Jung
Find more Rangers stories from The Dallas Morning News here.
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