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Rangers draft pick at #53 -- Collin Wiles

By Adam J. Morris
May 28, 2012; Hidden Springs, Idaho, USA; Clara Hughes (CAN), left, and Tayler Wiles (USA) lead the peloton on the second lap through Hidden Springs during the final stage of the Exergy Tour. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-US PRESSWIRE
May 28, 2012; Hidden Springs, Idaho, USA; Clara Hughes (CAN), left, and Tayler Wiles (USA) lead the peloton on the second lap through Hidden Springs during the final stage of the Exergy Tour. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-US PRESSWIRE

Collin Wiles scouting report -- At #53 overall in the 2012 MLB Draft, the Texas Rangers selected 6'4", 180 lb. righthanded pitcher Collin Wiles out of Blue Valley West High School in Stilwell, Kansas.

Wiles is a pitcher who was not nearly as highly regarded by the outside experts as the Rangers' first two first day selections -- Baseball America ranked Wiles #268 overall, and Keith Law didn't have Wiles in his rankings at all. With Joey Gallo, selected earlier in the supplemental round, seen as a player the Rangers may have to go over slot in order to sign, it may be that they picked Wiles with the understanding he would accept less than slot money at #53, so the Rangers could apply the savings from the bonus pool elsewhere. Though BA side Wiles was considered unsignable, reports are that the Rangers are going to sign him (as well as their other two first day picks) quickly.

Wiles is described as a "strike thrower" who, despite his upper-80s fastball, is considered projectable, someone whose fastball will increase in velocity as he fills out and gets professional instruction. Wiles had a 0.10 ERA in 49.1 innings this year in high school, and throws a slider and a changeup to go along with his fastball.

Wiles is, like most of the high school pitchers the Rangers target early in the draft, projectable and athletic, and there clearly seems to be a belief on the part of the organization that they can tap into his potential.