Texas Rangers pick 14th in 2020 MLB Draft

The Texas Rangers will be picking 14th in the 2020 MLB Draft, by virtue of their having the 14th-worst record in MLB this season at 78-84. San Francisco is picking one spot ahead of them, after going 77-85, but even if the Giants had won yesterday (or the Rangers had lost), San Francisco will still be picking 13th, by virtue of having a worse record last year.

The last time the Rangers picked #14 overall was in 2009, when they selected prep lefthanded pitcher Matt Purke with the #14 pick...and I think we all remember how that went. It does make this consistent with my theory that this team is reminiscent of the 2008 Texas Rangers, though. The only other time the Rangers had the 14th overall pick in the June draft was in 1980, when they picked Indiana high school pitcher Tim Maki, who never made the majors.

UNLV shortstop Bryson Scott was the #14 pick in the 2019 pick, selected by the Philadelphia Phillies, and the Mariners took Logan Gilbert, a Stetson University RHP, at #14 in the 2018 draft. Kolby Allard, the lefty now pitching for the Texas Rangers, was the #14 overall pick in 2015.

The best #14 picks in recent years have been Jose Fernandez, who was the #14 pick in 2011, and appeared destined to stardom before his tragic death, and Jason Heyward, the #14 overall pick by the Braves in the 2007 draft.

Heyward also has the highest career bWAR of any #14 overall pick. Behind him are Derrek Lee, Tino Martinez, Cliff Floyd, Jason Varitek, Tom Brunansky, Scott McGregor, Don Gullett, former Ranger great Lee Mazzilli, and Jeff Weaver.