MLB Draft: Potential Targets for Texas Rangers at No. 4

The Texas Rangers have options when on the clock for the No. 4 pick in the upcoming MLB Draft.

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The Texas Rangers enter Sunday's MLB draft in Seattle in a strange yet exceptional position. 

They're in the hunt for their first division title since 2016 and feature the most All-Star starters in the American League. A booming farm system should allow them to become buyers by the Aug. 1 trade deadline to bolster their starting rotation and bullpen, and maybe add a bat. 

But again, the Rangers' woeful 68-94 record last season has the franchise picking in the top five for the third straight year. The only downside? MLB scouts believe five prospects are a cut above the rest, but two are amateurs and could take years to develop in the minors. 

Based on recent trends, Texas likely hopes one of the top-three college players fall in its lap and past either the Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Nationals or Detroit Tigers. Over the past four seasons, the Rangers have drafted collegiate prospects with the first-round pick in third baseman Josh Jung (2019), second baseman Justin Foscue (2020), right-hander Jack Leiter (2021) and right-hander Kumar Rocker (2022). 

This shouldn't stop Rangers general manager Chris Young from taking a risk on one of the top high schoolers if he views them with more upside, but history has a way of telling a bigger story. Texas is trending upward, likely making this the last time the franchise picks in the top 10 for a while. 

Who could Texas target with the No. 4 pick? Here are several options, along with a couple of dark horses. 

Florida OF Wyatt Langford 

Rumors have begun swirling that consensus top position player Dylan Crews is looking for a record-breaking $10 million signing bonus. Pittsburgh, which undersold the slot value last time it selected No. 1 by taking Louisville catcher Henry Davis, could follow the same method again by betting on either North Carolina prep outfielder Walker Jenkins or Max Clark, a Vanderbilt commit from Indiana. 

Crews and LSU right-hander Paul Skenes most likely aren't falling past No. 2 and No. 3, thus opening the door for Langford to be in play. He's a five-tool player that's hit .363/.471/.746 since his sophomore season at Florida. He's a power hitter that's launched 47 career homers and has exceptional plate discipline, drawing more walks (92) than strikeouts (89). 

In most years, Langford would be the clear-cut No. 1 pick, but this isn't most seasons thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. His defense needs work, but his offensive upside is too rich for Texas to pass up with his trajectory of making the majors within two years. 

South Brunswick High School (N.C.) OF Walker Jenkins 

Jenkins flew up draft boards after a modest summer and has proven to have five-tool potential. The 6-3 left-hander possesses excellent plate discipline and a niche for both contact and power at the plate. 

Currently a North Carolina commit, the only knock on Jenkins over Clark would be a positional switch. Scouts are sold that the left-hander from Indiana will prosper at the next level as an everyday center fielder, while Jenkins probably will have to move to the corner, most likely right field. That's not necessarily an issue since the Tar Heel could benefit by adding another 15-20 pounds before reaching the pros. 

Jenkins could be a 30-30 player in the majors due to his exceptional athletic prowess. Don't consider him a consolation prize, either. With time, Jenkins could develop into the face of a franchise and one of the league's top power hitters. 

Franklin Community High School (IND) OF Max Clark 

Clark seems to be the consensus position option for Pittsburgh if it elects to go under the slot-deal. From an amateur standpoint, the 6-1 left-hander has everything teams covet in an everyday center fielder. Clark possesses a keen eye at the plate and a clean swing that can drive balls all over the field. 

According to The Athletic's Keith Law, the Rangers could elect to take Clark over Jenkins due to their belief he'd be willing to take a below-slot deal at No. 4. This isn't uncommon for Texas, either. Last season, the Rangers signed Rocker for nearly $2.5 million less than slot value, thus allowing them to draft high school pitcher Brock Porter in the fourth round and overpay his slot value demands to sign rather than play at Clemson. 

While Jenkins might have more pop, Clark could be the better all-around prospect with the glove. His speed, tracking skills and defense makes him a natural center fielder, but his arm strength could slot him anywhere in the outfield. 

Wake Forest RHP Rhett Lowder

Three straight years of drafting pitchers? While unlikely, Young might be hell-bent on using a first-round pick on a college players due to the projection of the franchise's trajectory. 

Lowder is known for having the best changeup in the draft, but his three other pitches are nothing to scoff at, either. His fastball hovered in the 92-96 mph range while serving as the Demon Deacons ace en route to a College World Series semifinal appearance. His sinker ranges anywhere from the upper 80s to low 90s. And that gyro-spinning changeup? It reaches a high of 84 with a terror drop that sends batters packing. 

Wake Forest is a mad scientist-pitching laboratory that relies on mechanics over raw power. It turned Lowder, who finished 15-0 with a 1.87 ERA, 143 strikeouts and 24 walks, into a top-10 pick. All things considered, Lowder's quick path to the pros could make him an out-of-left field, but smart selection. 

Vanderbilt OF Enrique Bradfield

Young's infatuation with college prospects could lead to an overdraft of a player like Bradfield. Texas has been linked to outfielders throughout the pre-draft process and Bradfield, a three-year starter at Vanderbilt, is considered the third-best college outfielder behind Crews and Langford. 

A speed threat known more for his glove than bat, Bradfield should compete for a Gold Glove Award in due time. He has a disciplined approach at the plate and relies more on contact than power. Bradfield's swing needs work, but he hit .279/.410/.429 and drew more walks (45) than strikeouts (40) this spring. On the base path, he's a threat to steal each pitch, swiping a program-record 130 bags on 143 attempts. 

Bradfield's defensive prowess makes his projection to the major much quicker than others. Some refinement in the minors with his swing time and the Vanderbilt product could see action in Arlington this time next July. 

Wild Card: LSU RHP Paul Skenes

It's unlikely. In fact, it should be impossible after dominating the SEC. But, yes, there is a slim chance the "Ace of Omaha" makes it to No. 4. 

Skenes still would have been a first-rounder had he stayed at Air Force, but a chance to win a national title was too good to pass up. Scouts learned his name fast, nearly as quick as his average 98 mph fastball that reached levels of 101 multiple times. His slider often gets players to chase outside the zone, leading to quick innings and more quality starts. 

Skenes might be the most impressive pitching prospect since Gerrit Cole was drafted in 2011. He'll need to develop his curveball in the majors, but the 6-6 righty's imposing fastball allowed him to toss 40 more strikeouts (164) than any other player in Division I. If Clark, Crews and Langford are off the board, it's hard imagining Skenes slipping down boards longer.

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