The Rangers had one of the game's stronger farm system entering the 2016 season, but much has changed in the past two years. Joey Gallo and Nomar Mazara graduated to Texas, while outfielder Lewis Brinson and right-handers Luis Ortiz and Dillon Tate were used in trades designed to keep the club in contention. Among the Rangers' 10 highest-rated farmhands from two years ago, only outfielder Leody Taveras has retained his prospect status and his luster.
• Rangers' Top 30 Prospects list
Outside of outfielder Willie Calhoun, a leading 2018 American League Rookie of the Year Award candidate acquired last July as part of the Yu Darvish deal with the Dodgers, Texas doesn't have any impact talents on the immediate horizon. The Rangers still adhere to their philosophy of targeting high-risk, high-reward prospects and have several on hand. But outfielders Taveras, Bubba Thompson and Pedro Gonzalez, right-hander Hans Crouse, left-hander Cole Ragans and middle infielders Chris Seise and Anderson Tejeda will need time to develop, because only Taveras and Tejeda have risen even as far as low Class A.
:: Team Top 30 Prospects lists ::
Biggest jump/fall
Here are the players whose ranks changed the most from the 2017 preseason list to the 2018 preseason list.
Jump: Kyle Cody, RHP (2017: NR | 2018: 8)
Fall: Connor Sadzeck, RHP (2017: 11 | 2018: NR)
Best tools
Players are graded on a 20-80 scouting scale for future tools -- 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average and 70-80 is well above average. Players in parentheses also have the same grade.
Hit: 60 -- Willie Calhoun (Leody Taveras)
Power: 60 -- Willie Calhoun
Run: 65 -- Bubba Thompson
Arm: 60 -- Jose Trevino (Pedro Gonzalez, Chris Seise, Anderson Tejeda, Bubba Thompson)
Defense: 60 -- Leody Taveras (Miguel Aparicio, Bubba Thompson, Jose Trevino)
Fastball: 70 -- Hans Crouse (Alex Speas)
Curveball: 60 -- A.J. Alexy (Joe Palumbo, Alex Speas)
Slider: 60 -- Hans Crouse
Changeup: 60 -- Yohander Mendez (Cole Ragans)
Control: 55 -- Yohander Mendez (Ariel Jurado, Ricardo Rodriguez)

How they were built
Draft: 16
International: 10
Trade: 4
Breakdown by ETA
2018: 4
2019: 6
2020: 12
2021: 7
2022: 1
Breakdown by position
C: 4
1B: 2
2B: 0
3B: 1
SS: 4
OF: 5
RHP: 9
LHP: 5