Today we begin with our top 20 prospect list with my number 20: Jonathan Ornelas. With an OPS of .785 and a Texas League Championship under his belt, the season was one to remember for Ornelas.
The Numbers for Jonathan Ornelas
Jonathan hit 14 home runs and knocked in 64 RBI for the RoughRiders. He spent the entire season with Frisco and he looked like he belonged. He was one of the most consistent hitters for the team.
With a slash line of .299/.360/.425 he should have been. He played several positions including shortstop, second base, third base and a few games in center field. He lead the Texas League in hits (157), and that was good enough to tie a RoughRiders record for hits in a season with Joaquin Arias according to Inside the Rangers.
Jonathan was also the Rangers minor league defensive player of the year. His fielding percentage at shortstop was .973.
The Problem
Ornelas is one of those middle infielders that is in a logjam with about 15 other guys thanks to Marcus Semien and Corey Seager in Arlington. He could be one that gets away from the system and makes a roster somewhere else, but if he continues to hit, the Rangers will find a place for him.
Learn More about Jonathan Ornelas
If you want to learn more about Jonathan Ornelas the person, you can check out his interview with the Rangers Today Baseball Podcast here. We are hoping to have him on our podcast soon as well.
Up next in the series will be our number 19 prospect. As I count these down, feel free to let me know who I missed or who I got wrong, or even if you agree with me.
I am using multiple sources and rankings, plus my own eyes as I watched a ton of Minor League Baseball in 2022.
