Previewing the Rangers' Minor League affiliates in 2024
Kennedi Landry
@kennlandryThe reigning World Series champion Texas Rangers have two of the best rookies in the American League in Evan Carter and Wyatt Langford, but after years of drafting, trading and developing, the farm system is as deep as ever.
Let’s dive deep into the farm:
Triple-A Round Rock
Player to Watch: OF Dustin Harris (No. 11)
With Justin Foscue earning a callup in the first week of the MLB season, Harris becomes the most interesting position player to watch. He slashed .417/.462/.917 in Round Rock’s first three games and has a fascinating combination of speed and power that can be useful for the big league club down the stretch.
Pitcher to Watch: RHP Jack Leiter (No. 8)
The Rangers’ No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, Leiter has not had a smooth road in his professional career so far. But after a month-long stint on the development list last season, the right-hander made some mechanical tweaks that the club believes will make him more consistent at this level. In his first start of 2024, he tossed five innings of relief behind rehabbing big leaguer Michael Lorenzen, striking out nine batters and walking one. If that’s the real deal, the Rangers are in a good place with Leiter poised to contribute in Arlington sooner rather than later.
Double-A Frisco
Opening Day: Friday, April 5, 7:05 p.m. CT vs. Wichita
Player to Watch: 1B/OF Abimelec Ortiz (No. 12)
The Rangers’ Minor League Player of the Year in 2023, Ortiz took a huge step forward in his second professional season. He led the Minors in slugging (.619) and ranked fourth in homers (33) and OPS (.990).
Pitcher to Watch: RHP Emiliano Teodo (No. 16)
Teodo impressed during big league camp this spring, coming off an electric offseason in which he was named the Arizona Fall League Reliever of the Year. It’s unclear whether he’ll be a starter or reliever down the line, but Teodo has electric stuff when he commands it well.
High-A Hickory
Opening Day: Friday, April 5, 7 p.m. ET @ Rome
Player to Watch: SS Sebastian Walcott (No. 3)
Walcott impressed in his stateside debut in 2023, quickly moving from the Arizona Complex League to a full-season affiliate. He just turned 18 and there’s a lot of development to be had, but the infielder is a bright spot in the lower levels of the organization at the moment.
Pitcher to Watch: RHP Brock Porter (No. 4)
A fourth-rounder in the 2022 MLB Draft, Porter is the best pitching prospect in the Rangers' system. He posted a 2.47 ERA with a .160 opponent average in 69 1/3 Single-A innings during his professional debut season. He struck out 95, but he also walked 42.
Single-A Down East
Opening Day: Friday, April 5, 7 p.m. ET, vs. Lynchburg
Player to Watch: C Jesus Lopez (No. 30)
The Rangers don’t have much elite catching depth throughout the system, and Lopez was signed out of Venezuela in 2022 due in part to his advanced defensive abilities. He slashed .289/.396/.644 in 13 games in the Arizona Complex League last season.
Pitcher to Watch: RHP Izack Tiger (No. 29)
The Rangers’ seventh-round Draft pick in 2023, Tiger is currently shelved with right elbow inflammation, but he is poised to be the only pitcher ranked in the Rangers’ Top 30 prospect list at Single-A when he returns in June. Tiger was selected out of Butler County (Kan.) CC, where he set school records for single-season (121) and career (243) strikeouts as well as career wins (21) in 2023.