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Rangers 25 years old and younger Top Ten

3:10 PM Sun, Aug 30, 2009 |
Josh Harvey
 E-mail


1.) Neftali Feliz- 17.2 IP, 5 H, .51 ERA, 22 Ks feliz.jpg

It's not just Ranger fans dropping whatever they are doing to watch Feliz when he takes the mound, it's all of baseball. With a fastball near 100 mph and good off-speed stuff, this 21 year old is proving that he was ready for his call up. Now the question is, what do the Rangers do with him next year? Does he stay in the bullpen or does he move to the starting rotation?


2.) Elvis Andrus- .267 AVG, 53 R, 26 RBI, 24 SB, in 356 at bats

Oakland closer Andrew Bailey will probably win the AL Rookie of the Year award. If I had a vote, I would probably give it to him. That said, Andrus is a close second in my book. The 21 year old has looked great in his first season in the bigs. Since the All-Star break, he is batting over .300 and currently ranks 8th in the league in steals. Not to mention the Rangers infield defense has seen a tremendous boost with his range.


3.) Derek Holland- 7-8, 4.95 ERA, 109 IPs, 86 Ks, 1.40 WHIP

While Holland's performances out of the bullpen were up and down early in the year, we are starting to see why the Rangers would not include him in a trade for Roy Holliday. In his last six starts, the 22 year old has gone 4-2 with 32 strikeouts over 36 innings. It will be interesting to see how he progresses and if fatigue set in as the season goes on.


borborn.jpg4.) Julio Borbon- .388 AVG, 12 R, 11/12 SB in 17 games and 49 at bats

Borbon's recent call-up was only expected to last a couple days, but the 23 year must not have wanted to go back. He has been extremely special batting at the top of the lineup against right handed pitchers, but I have to see him face someone throwing left before I deem him higher on the list.


5.) Justin Smoak- (Oklahoma City) .234 AVG, 29 RBI, 23 R, 6 HR in 52 games

Smoak tore up Frisco in his first 50 games this season, but has struggled since arriving in Oklahoma City. With his recent selection to the USA National Team, it's unlikely he will be called up any time this season. If he makes an appearance for the Rangers, he will not be eligible to play.


tommy hunter.jpg6.) Tommy Hunter- 6-3, 2.95 ERA, 44 Ks, 1.17 WHIP in 12 starts

Hunter has learned from his experience last year and early on in the season, to become one of Texas' biggest sleepers this year. No one in the organization, I don't even think Hunter, realized that he would be this effective. In the second half of the season, he has become the Rangers most consistent starter along with Scott Feldman.


7.) Jarrod Saltalamacchia- .236 AVG, 9 HR, 34 RBI, in 280 at bats

Even with him being on the D.L. at this point, there are few catchers I would rather have around the league than Salty. He has shown the ability to have pop off the bat and hit for average. At 24 years old, he is a catcher that you sign long term.


8.) Chris Davis- .205 AVG, 16 HR, 36 RBI, in 278 at bats

While Ranger fans are quick to dismiss Chris Davis as a lost cause, he is only 23 years old and has only played in 162 games. While 33 lifetime home runs is a good number, his .246 batting average is not. Davis has to figure some things out to stay effective in the league, but it's hardly time to give up on him.


9.) Blake Bevin- (Bakersfield & Frisco) 9-8, 4.17 ERA, 159 IP, 83 Ks,

While there are other pitchers who have better numbers, Bevin has impressed me this season. Just 20 years old, he is holding his own against guys who are most of the time older and more experienced than him in Frisco.


Thumbnail image for pedro strop.jpg10.) Pedro Strop- (Frisco & Oklahoma City) 6-6, 5 Saves, 5.06 ERA, 61 Ks, 64 IP

While his minor league numbers aren't the greatest, Strop has figured things out as of late and his stock is soaring. In his first major league appearance two days ago, the 24 year old went one inning, allowing no hits, and striking out one on 13 pitches. His fastballs were topping out between 95-97 miles per hour and he looked to have decent command to his slider.





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