FanPost

Scouting Reports for Top 10 Texas Rangers Prospects

The full list of scouting reports can be seen here.

1. Jurickson Profar (SS)

Before the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, Major League teams had been spending freely in Latin America. However, the problem with investing in 16-year-old teenagers is there’s absolutely no guarantee whether they will ever progress to the upper minor leagues, much less the major leagues.

And then there are players like Jurickson Profar that make it all worthwhile…

Profar was signed for $1.5 million dollars in the Year of Trout (2009) and made his debut in the college heavy Northwest league in 2010 at the ripe age of 17. While he only batted .250 in 252 at-bats, his plus bat-speed, excellent defensive play, and overall maturity started a quick ascension that ended in a promotion to the majors at 19-years-old. What I find the most interesting in analyzing Profar is that he doesn’t have one truly elite tool. However, every tool is at least a 60 on the 20-80 scouting scale and when you add them all together, he has the future potential of an all-star performer.

Watching Profar hit, you immediately see his quick compact swing. While his splits would indicate that his swing works better from his natural right-side, the swing is consistent and good from both sides. In fact, as he gains more experience, I can easily see the splits disappearing with the ability to hit .280-.290 at the highest level. Because of his bat speed, there is also future power (20 home runs), particularly as he puts weight onto his 165 pound frame. As with all of his tools, he’s not a burner but has enough speed and instincts on the basepaths to steal 25 bases in the major leagues.

Even at 20-years-old, it appears that Jurickson Profar is nearly ready for the major leagues. Of course the big question is where he will play? He has the chops to play shortstop but candidly while his defensive skills are great, Andrus skills are better. The most logical alternative is for him to move to second base with Kinsler moving to first or the outfield. Of course, there could be a trade that changes all of this.

In any respect, Profar should be contributing in the major leagues in 2013. I don’t see him becoming an instant star but the likelihood of him being a top five performer at whatever position he plays by 2015 is very high.

Fantasy Impact: I would be drafting Profar late in a re-draft league in 2013 to fill a middle infield position. For Dynasty Leagues, he’s a must add in all drafts and you should consider drafting him as a Top 10 shortstop in the late single digit rounds.

2. Mike Olt (3B/1B)

3. Leonys Martin (OF)

4. Lewis Brinson (OF)

5. Martin Perez (LHP)

6. Jorge Alfaro (C)

7. Luis Sardinas (SS)

8. Rougned Odor (2B)

9. Cody Buckel (RHP)

10. Joey Gallo (3B)