ARLINGTON -- Class A Hickory outfielder Leody Taveras is the Rangers' lone representative on MLB Pipeline's mid-season Top 100 Prospects List. Taveras, who is just 18, is ranked No. 32.
Taveras, a switch-hitter, has played in 96 games for Hickory and is hitting .251 with 50 runs scored, six home runs, 39 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. He has a .303 on-base percentage and a .360 slugging percentage.
The numbers aren't overwhelming but Taveras was the youngest player on Hickory's Opening Day roster. The current top 10 hitters in the South Atlantic League range from ages 19 to 23.
"He's the real deal," Rangers farm director Jayce Tingler said. "I don't know if there is one outstanding tool but there is a little bit of everything. There is an element of speed and power."
The ranking of baseball's top prospects is done by MLBPipeline.com. Draft and prospect experts Jonathan Mayo, Jim Callis and Mike Rosenbaum, who compile input from industry sources, including scouts and scouting directors. It is based on analysis of players' skill sets, upsides, proximity to the Majors and potential immediate impact to their teams. Only players with rookie status are eligible for the list. Players who were at least 23 years old when they signed and played in leagues deemed to be professional (Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Cuba) are not eligible.
The list is a reminder of the number of players traded by the Rangers in the past few years. Outfielder Lewis Brinson and pitcher Luis Ortiz -- sent to the Brewers for catcher Jonathan Lucroy last year -- are on the list, as is catcher Jorge Alfaro. He was part of the package sent to the Phillies for pitcher Cole Hamels in 2015.