Since it's the offseason, what better time to talk about prospects? The first wave of prospects I got into were Thomas Diamond, John Danks and Edinson Volquez, and to a lesser extent Eric Hurley. Since then I look at minor leaguers as if they were already Rangers. It's fun stuff.

Baseball America has unleashed their top 20 lists for every level outside the two AAA league's, which figure to only give us usual suspects like Leonys Martin and Martin Perez, so this post is more dedicated to the players who are a little further away. So let's get into it:

Arizona League (rookie): Joey Gallo (3), Lewis Brinson (6), C.J. Edwards (8), Nomar Mazarra (11), Ronald Guzman (12)

Northwest League (short-season A-ball): C.J. Edwards (8), Jose Valdespina (13)

South Atlantic League (full-season A-ball): Rougnad Odor (20)

Carolina League (High-A): Cody Buckel (5), Christian Villanueva (9) [traded to CHC], Hanser Alberto (12), Luke Jackson (16)

Texas League (AA): Jurickson Profar (1), Mike Olt (4), Cody Buckel (14)

* * * * * *

The only two prospects I'm unfamiliar with are Jose Valdespina and Hanser Alberto. Alberto looks like a high contact guy who doesn't walk very much, and Valdespina is mostly a question mark to me.

If we figure Profar and Olt will be on the Opening Day roster in 2013, that still leaves us with a very formidable collection of talent spread throughout our minor league system. I'm most excited to see the AZL five-some of Gallo, Guzman, Mazarra, Brinson and Nick Williams, and their anticipated promotions to full-season ball next year to Hickory. Jon Daniels generally takes an aggressive approach to developing the talent, and this most recent draft class should be exciting to watch moving forward.

I was a little surprised at how highly Olt was thought of in a strong Texas League, as he was ranked behind only Profar, Oscar Tavares (Cardinals) and Wil Myers (Royals), three of the best position prospects in the minor leagues. That's high praise.

All of this is of course without mentioning Jairo Beras, who is probably (potentially) a higher-rated prospect than any of the guys on this list sans Profar.

Anyway, in terms of my favorite prospects, this is how I'd rank my top five (not including Beras/Profar/Olt/Martin/Perez):

1. Gallo
2. Odor
3. Guzman
4. Mazarra
5. Brinson

What do you guys think?

What do you guys think?

Are women not allowed to be fans on here?

Clearly I'm misogynist.

No--you're just someone who has a smug sense of importance.

Wonder if he watches female sports?

No--you're just someone who has a smug sense of importance.

How did we get here from prospect talk?

I give up--How?

We got here because of Linda... Eric saying "What do you guys think" includes women. It is common when addressing a large group including men and women to refer to the group as "guys". Its not being sexist.

And, N.O.W the answer is no. No one watches women sports. See, thats sexist.

I like your list of prospects but why no love for Cody Buckel?

He probably thinks Cody is a girl

Does mud wrestling count as a woman's sport? Cause I'd watch that.

I like how this was trolled and derailed in one reply...very Hardball Talk-esque

No--you're just someone who has a smug sense of importance. - Linda
I give up--How? - Jay

The dash style isn't common enough in one-sentence tidbits. To that end, I think Jay and Linda are the same troll. Of course Jay won't admit to it, but next time he should try harder to differentiate his writing style between his two names.

Most females don't get offended by being called "guys" if they are part of a group, so I highly doubt Linda is a real person.

@Come'on 5

I like Cody Buckel a lot, but I believe the five I listed have some level of elite, or plus, to them. Cody Buckel profiles as a #3 with good makeup and command, but I have a hard time getting as excited about him as the five I listed. I also think he's a good candidate to get traded, because I'm not terribly confident there's room for him with all the higher-ceiling arms we have.

Obviously Gallo with his...whats greater than light tower power? sears tower power?...is very intriguing and Brinson with all of his tools is very intriguing. Also, the 3 international guys are intriguing because of all the hype and money and attention being paid to them (even though there isnt much as far as stats to analyze yet).

The kinda dark horse guy I'm very intrigued by is CJ Edwards. Solid size (6'2-3 i think) and good velocity. From what I've heard, his best pitch is his fastball that sits 96-97 with some jump on it. Scouts have said it almost looks like it rises when it gets close. I guess he intrigues me because with his frame and velocity, I dont see how he dropped as low as he did in the draft. Kinda Holland-esque that way. Plus hes a lil different from what we normally have coming through the pipeline (we tend to place a premium on sinkerballers) so that also intrigues me. Since he was a college kid, they may quicken his development that much more. Right now he probably projects as a late inning arm, but if he can develop his offspeed stuff, he could switch to starting.

That's weird Eric because I have always thought you and Keystone were one and the same.

Nice review of a strong farm system. Given my druthers I would like to see more and better pitchers.

Do the Rangers support DR type baseball academies outside if the DR, e.g., Venezuela, PR, or Nicaragua?

@Eric

What position does Valdespina and Alberto (ss ?) play.

Any idea where Luis Sardinas ranks in our organization. I think I read he's going to be in the Arizona Fall League. Thanks

Is Gallo Italian? Leaning Tower of Pisa Power?

What-- was Eric--talking about-can you --please--tell me? Doesn't-everyone--write --this--way?

Sardinas might be top five in the Ranger organizational prospect list.

One scout said this:
"Sardinas is special... and has tools like Jurickson Profar.“ Another scout said Sardinas will crack baseball's top-100 beginning this off-season.

Doubt it?

Link:
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/luis-sardinas-texas-rangers-best-shortstop-youve-never-heard-of/

I can understand why Eric left him out of the discussion. Sardinas is going to push Eric's boy IK off second base some time in 2014.

More quotes on Sardinas. This quote is 14 months old...

"Luis might be the most natural baseball player in the organization," says Rangers director of international scouting Mike Daly, who was integrally involved in the signing of both Sardinas and Profar. "He plays the game so easy and instinctively."

Another link:
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110707&content_id=21530138&vkey=news_tex&c_id=tex

@Eric

What position does Valdespina and Alberto (ss ?) play.

Any idea where Luis Sardinas ranks in our organization. I think I read he's going to be in the Arizona Fall League. Thanks

Valedespina is a 20 year-old right-hander, and Alberto is a SS. Would have to think Alberto (ceiling-wise) ranks behind Profar, Sardinas, and probably Leury Garcia, but, like I said, I just don't know very much about him.