Forbes gives Rangers young, athletic shortstop

ARLINGTON -- The Rangers added another young talent into their queue of middle infielder prospects when they drafted shortstop Ti'quan Forbes in the second round with the 59th overall pick out of Columbia (Miss.) High School.

Forbes stands 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds with good speed and athleticism. His size could dictate a move to third base and his speed could put him in the outfield, although he is considered to have an average arm. He was a three-sport star in high school as a quarterback in football and forward in basketball.

He is also one of the youngest players in the Draft, and won't turn 18 until August.

"He is just a very versatile player with a good bay and great makeup. ... Great desire and work ethic," Rangers amateur scouting director Kip Fagg said. "We think he has a really good chance to hit. We did a lot of work on him and his family and we're very excited to have him."

Forbes hit .427 with three home runs and 32 RBIs in his senior season. He was also a pitcher on a team that won the Mississippi Class 4A state championship. He has a scholarship to the University of Mississippi.

The Athletics were reportedly high on Forbes, having flown him to Oakland for a private workout before the Draft. Rangers scouts Clarence Johns and Jeff Wood did extensive coverage of Forbes.