Being a top prospect is something that every high school and college player wants. They want to be good enough to be a top pick in the MLB draft. The Texas Rangers have the number two pick in the draft. Jeff Wilson said on the Podcast Thursday morning, they can’t miss on this one. While they have missed on some in the past, I agree. They need this one to hit.
Difficulties arise from the mismanagement of those prospects, not the talent. Larger than any other type of mismanagement is bringing up a player before he is ready. The Rangers have a history of doing this. History also tells us they tweak with things that don’t improve the player. Take Ronald Guzman for example. He was a late bloomer, spending parts of three seasons in Low A ball. Then he vaulted to Round Rock rather quickly. The Rangers moved him to the majors soon after that, and he has struggled mightily.
Over the years the Rangers have had many players that just couldn’t cut it in the majors. Reasons vary from they weren’t good enough to not ready. Another big one is taking a reliever and making him a starter. The Rangers were successful with CJ Wilson. Success stopped there. Alexi Ogando, Tanner Scheppers, Robbie Ross, Neftali Feliz. I could go on. Highly touted or successful bullpen pitchers have a tendency to be moved into the rotation. A team gets more out of them that way. Unless it ruins them.
Josh Jung is the newest prospect everyone is watching. His readiness for the big leagues is in question. He didn’t even play in 2020 thanks to the pandemic. The Rangers want to start him in Round Rock, but they have a problem. Third base is vacant, and Rougned Odor is their best option there right now. Not something Rangers fans want to see. My question is can the Rangers afford to bring Jung, their number one prospect, up before he is ready? Let’s be honest: the team is not going anywhere in 2021. Why rush Jung and possibly ruin him for a losing season? The Rangers need to take their time with him.
Second Pick in the Draft
As mentioned before, the Rangers have the second pick in the draft. They could go one of several different ways with that pick. Jack Leiter (RHP), Jordan Lawler (SS), Kumar Rocker (RHP), Judd Fabian (OF). However they choose to go, they need to be patient with that player as well. The biggest mistake I see clubs make with their top prospects is calling them up too early. It is done all the time because we are in a win now society. I don’t claim to be a GM, or even knowledgeable to do their job. But I do know that after years of watching the mismanagement of players, I don’t want to see it happen to Jung.
