The Rangers Farm System: The Rangers’ farm system offers intriguing depth, but it’s Sebastian Walcott who stands out as the clear impact prospect.
Summary
The Rangers’ system features several high‑end talents who could become fantasy impact players. Sebastian Walcott headlines the group with premium upside, while Gavin Fien offers offensive cornerstone potential with the bat. On the pitching side, Jose Corniell and Winston Santos stand out as rotation arms with strikeout stuff and polish, giving the organization a balanced mix of impact bats and arms at the top of the system.
Beyond the top names, the Rangers have a collection of everyday contributors who could provide steady fantasy value. Yeremy Cabrera brings plus speed and plate discipline, while David Davalillo has emerged with a splitter/command combo that points to rotation stability. Abimelec Ortiz offers power but likely in a platoon role, and Malcolm Moore has lofted swing mechanics that could eventually produce corner infield or catcher depth. These players may not carry star upside, but they have paths to regular roles that matter in deeper dynasty formats.
Finally, the system includes speculative watch‑list types that remain intriguing but carry more risk. Paulino Santana is still raw but athletic enough to dream on, while Josh Owens has the tools but needs time to refine his hit tool. Justin Foscue and Dustin Harris highlight the cautionary side of prospect development, with stalled bats and positional limitations capping their fantasy appeal. Together, this mix of high-end upside, everyday contributors, and speculative depth makes the Rangers’ system diverse, though fantasy managers will need to be selective in targeting the players most likely to deliver value.
AI-Assisted Fantasy Tiers: Methodology and Observations
AI has made significant strides in all aspects of our lives. Over the past four years, I have compiled 500,000 words of personal scouting narratives, which have formed the foundation for training my own AI assistant. This assistant now evaluates prospects and assigns fantasy tiers exclusively based on the insights and observations contained in my write-ups.
After requesting that my AI assistant generate fantasy tiers using this year’s reports, I found that the AI’s rankings generally align with my own assessments. However, there are some cases where the AI’s evaluations differ from my personal rankings. I am sharing those differences here for your consideration.
🥇 Tier 1: Fantasy Impact Target
- Sebastian Walcott – Premium upside bat, cornerstone fantasy potential.
- Gavin Fien – Advanced bat speed, strong plate discipline, above-average power, versatile defender.
- Jose Corniell – Returned from TJS, pounding the strike zone with a mid to upper 90s fastball.
🥈 Tier 2: Everyday-Upside Targets
- Caden Scarborough – Potential sleeper in the organization – throwing more strikes and is showing more velo.
- Cameron Cauley – Speed/power blend with center‑field fit. Will he hit enough?
- AJ Russell – Returned from TJS quickly in his draft year to post solid numbers.
- Winston Santos – Polished starter profile, innings-eater potential.
- Alejandro Rosario – After making significant strides in his delivery and overall arsenal in 2024, he suffered an elbow injury during Spring Training and missed the entire season.
- Elorky Rodriguez – He’s a hit-first prospect with excellent bat-to-ball skills and a chance to develop above-average power.
🥉 Tier 3: Outside of the Impact/Everyday Targets
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2026 Player Profiles
1. Sebastian Walcott (SS/3B)
- Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2026 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 30 OF or Top 5 1B
- Last Updated: 01/13/2026
- Tools Summary: Premium upside bat, cornerstone fantasy potential.
The Texas Rangers have shown confidence in Sebastian Walcott’s development, assigning him to the Texas League to open the 2025 season despite him being the youngest player in the league by two years. That aggressive placement highlights the organization’s belief in his advanced skill set, as Walcott has already demonstrated speed, power, and a mature understanding of the strike zone. His physicality and athleticism stand out immediately, and his ability to compete against older competition underscores his potential as a cornerstone prospect.
At the core of Walcott’s game is his power. His bat speed and exit velocities are already impressive and should only improve as he matures physically. The swing is long and aggressive, which will likely keep strikeouts as part of his profile, but his discipline in avoiding chase helps balance that risk. Defensively, he continues to line up at shortstop, though his frame and strength gains suggest a future move to third base, a corner outfield spot, or even first base. His athleticism also extends to the basepaths, where he currently flashes above‑average speed that may taper off as he adds muscle in his mid‑20s.
From a fantasy perspective, Walcott projects as an impact player capable of anchoring a roster. Even with strikeout risk, his ability to hit the ball hard should sustain a batting average around .260, buoyed by a strong BABIP and an on‑base percentage roughly 80 points higher. The power ceiling is immense — 30 to 40 home runs annually — and his athleticism should yield double‑digit stolen bases early in his career. That combination of power and speed makes him one of the most exciting young prospects in the game, with the potential to deliver elite fantasy production as soon as he reaches the majors.
2. Gavin Fien (SS, #12)
- Highest Level: DNP ETA: 2029 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 15 3B or Top 45 OF
- Last Updated: 01/13/2026
- Tools Summary: Advanced bat speed, strong plate discipline, above-average power, versatile defender.
Gavin Fien’s senior year was marred by injury, which clouded his draft‑year performance. Despite hitting .358, it was a notable dip from his junior and sophomore seasons, where he consistently showed more impact at the plate. His emerging power also backed up, a likely reflection of not being fully healthy rather than a true regression in skill. At 6‑feet‑3 and 205 pounds, Fien has the physical frame of a middle-of-the-order bat, and the Rangers are betting that once he’s healthy, his production will return to form.
Fien’s profile is built around strength and contact ability rather than speed. He doesn’t offer much foot speed, but his size and bat speed give him a chance to grow into a power-hitting third baseman or corner outfielder. The swing has enough natural loft to project 20–25 home runs annually, and his contact skills should allow him to maintain a batting average in the .270 range. Comparisons to Walker Jenkins highlight the type of offensive upside evaluators see, though Fien’s path will depend heavily on staying healthy and proving his power can consistently translate.
From a fantasy perspective, Fien is best viewed as a mid-tier target in first-year player drafts. His lack of speed caps his overall appeal, but the combination of batting average stability and 20+ home run potential makes him a solid corner bat to invest in. Dynasty managers should consider him in the Top 15–20 range for FYPDs, slightly below his MLB draft slot, with the understanding that health and power development will determine whether he becomes a steady fantasy contributor or settles into a more ordinary role.
3. Jose Corniell (RHP)
- Highest Level: Majors ETA: 2025 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 40 SP
- Last Updated: 01/13/2026
- Tools Summary: Returned from TJS, pounding the strike zone with a mid to upper 90s fastball.
Jose Corniell returned from Tommy John surgery in 2024 and quickly reestablished himself as one of the Rangers’ most promising young arms. After missing the entire season, he logged 38 minor league innings before earning a late September start in Texas. The stat line was impressive: across 13 starts, he posted a 1.89 ERA, struck out more than a batter per inning, and limited walks to just two per nine. That performance, combined with his rapid ascent back to the majors, underscores both his resilience and the organization’s confidence in his development.
On the mound, Corniell looks fully recovered. His fastball averaged 96.4 mph and touched 98, giving him a legitimate weapon to attack hitters. His best secondary pitch is a changeup with excellent fade, but he’s still working to refine his breaking ball arsenal. The cutter currently grades ahead of his sweeper, though the latter has the potential to become a true out pitch if it continues to develop. With that mix, Corniell projects as at least a mid-rotation starter, and the Rangers’ willingness to push him aggressively suggests they believe he can be more.
For fantasy managers, Corniell is a sneaky value play. His combination of velocity, command, and a plus changeup already makes him rosterable in deeper formats. If the sweeper catches up to the fastball, his strikeout upside could elevate him into a top-of-the-rotation arm. Given his quick return from surgery and strong results, he’s worth checking on waiver wires now, as he has the potential to deliver both short-term streaming value and long-term rotation stability.
4. Winston Santos (RHP)
- Highest Level: Triple-A ETA: 2026-27 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 50 SP
- Last Updated: 01/13/2026
- Tools Summary: Polished starter profile, innings-eater potential.
Winston Santos has emerged as one of the biggest surprises from the Rangers’ 2019 international class, despite signing for just $10,000. His 2025 season was interrupted after only two starts due to a stress reaction in his back, a condition that can precede a stress fracture but is often treated conservatively with rest. The Rangers took that approach, and Santos returned late in the year to make four more appearances before logging 18.1 healthy innings in the Arizona Fall League. That rebound was encouraging, showing he could handle a workload without incident.
Santos’ arsenal is anchored by a lively fastball that reaches 98 mph with strong spin and ride through the zone. His three-quarters arm slot adds deception, and while his changeup currently grades ahead of his slider, the latter has room to grow into a more reliable weapon. His delivery requires some effort but remains functional, allowing him to throw strikes consistently. Though his frame isn’t ideal for durability, his ability to miss bats and limit walks suggests he can remain a starter, with the upside of a solid No. 4 in a big‑league rotation.
For fantasy managers, Santos is a deeper‑league arm worth monitoring. The combination of velocity, strike-throwing ability, and a developing secondary mix gives him a chance to provide streaming value once he reaches the majors. While there’s some risk he ultimately shifts to the bullpen, his current trajectory points to rotation opportunities, and his AFL performance reinforces that he’s back on track. Dynasty players should keep him on their watchlists as a potential mid-rotation contributor with strikeout upside.
5. Caden Scarborough (RHP)
- Highest Level: High-A ETA: 2027 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 50 SP with upside
- Last Updated: 01/13/2026
- Tools Summary: Potential sleeper in the organization – throwing more strikes and is showing more velo.
Caden Scarborough was selected by the Rangers in the sixth round of the 2023 draft, signing for $175,000 over slot. His 2025 campaign showcased significant progress, as he posted a 2.45 ERA across 22 games (21 starts) between Low‑A and High‑A. He closed the season on a high note, throwing 13 consecutive shutout innings at High‑A, a performance that underscored his ability to handle more advanced hitters and highlighted his developmental trajectory.
Standing 6‑feet‑5, Scarborough was drafted as a projectable right-hander, and his physical growth is already paying dividends. His velocity ticked up in the second half, touching 96 mph, with more likely to come as he continues to fill out. His sweeper has emerged as his best secondary pitch, generating high whiff rates, while his changeup also showed noticeable improvement in 2025. Though his delivery can look like he’s “aiming” the ball, he consistently pounded the strike zone, walking just 21 batters in 88 innings (2.2 BB/9). That combination of size, velocity, and strike-throwing ability gives him the foundation of a mid-rotation starter.
For fantasy managers, Scarborough is a sleeper worth monitoring in deeper formats. His strike-throwing ability and improving arsenal point to further growth in 2026, and if the velocity continues to climb, his upside could exceed mid-rotation expectations. While not yet a mainstream fantasy target, he’s the type of arm who can quietly build value and emerge as a viable dynasty asset as he matures.
6. Alejandro Rosario (RHP)
- Highest Level: DNP ETA: 2027 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 45 SP or Closer
- Last Updated: 01/13/2026
- Tools Summary: After making significant strides in his delivery and overall arsenal in 2024, he suffered an elbow injury during Spring Training and missed the entire season.
Alejandro Rosario was selected by the Rangers in the fifth round of the 2023 draft, bringing with him an intriguing mix of raw stuff and developmental upside. In college, he consistently sat in the mid-90s with his fastball and paired it with a plus slider, though command issues and hittability limited his effectiveness. Since joining the Rangers, he’s worked to refine his delivery, leading to more strikes and improved consistency with both his slider and changeup. His sinker, capable of reaching the upper 90s, has become a ground‑ball weapon that adds another dimension to his arsenal.
Rosario’s trajectory was interrupted in 2025 when he suffered an elbow injury during Spring Training that required season-ending Brace surgery. This came after a previous Tommy John surgery earlier in his career, meaning he now has two significant elbow procedures on his record before turning 24. While his stuff remains impressive, the durability concerns are real, and his long-term outlook hinges on how well his arm can hold up under the demands of professional innings.
For fantasy managers, Rosario represents a high-risk, high-reward investment. The upside is clear: a mid-rotation starter with strikeout potential and ground‑ball skills if his health cooperates. However, two elbow surgeries at such a young age raise red flags, making him more of a speculative stash than a core dynasty piece. Managers should approach with caution, recognizing that while the talent is enticing, the injury history makes him a volatile asset whose value could swing dramatically depending on his recovery.
7. Elorky Rodriguez (OF/2B)
- Highest Level: DSL ETA: 2028+ Fantasy Ceiling: Top 15 2B with risk
- Last Updated: 01/13/2026
- Tools Summary: He’s a hit-first prospect with excellent bat-to-ball skills and a chance to develop above-average power.
Elorky Rodriguez was one of the Rangers’ two-million-dollar signings last January, landing just over a million dollars to join the organization. Though listed at 5‑feet‑10, he’s likely a bit shorter, but his stature hasn’t limited his impact at the plate. In the DSL, he posted a standout .337/.473/.506 slash line, walking more often than he struck out (39 BB to 38 K). That performance highlighted his advanced bat-to-ball skills and disciplined approach, rare traits for a 17-year-old just beginning his professional journey.
Rodriguez’s offensive profile is built on contact and swing decisions, with the potential for more power as he matures physically. He’s currently an average runner, but as he fills out, speed is likely to diminish, shifting his value more toward offensive production. His ability to control the strike zone and make consistent contact suggests he could move quickly through the system, and if everything clicks, he has the upside to become one of the better second basemen in the game. The foundation of his skill set is already advanced, giving him a strong developmental base.
For fantasy managers, Rodriguez projects as a high‑OBP contributor who can consistently get on base and score runs. While his speed may fade over time, he should offer modest stolen bases early in his career and grow into above-average power in the 12–18 home run range. That combination makes him a sneaky dynasty investment, particularly for managers who value OBP formats. Even without plus speed, his plate discipline and offensive upside make him the type of player who can quietly build long-term fantasy value.
8. Emiliano Teodo (RHP)
- Highest Level: Triple-A ETA: 2026 Fantasy Ceiling: Closer, if he throws enough strikes
- Last Updated: 01/13/2026
- Tools Summary: Power arm, potential rotation/bullpen hybrid.
The Rangers have shifted Emiliano Teodo to the bullpen, where his high-octane stuff can play up, but his control remains a significant hurdle. Despite regularly hitting triple digits with his sinker and flashing a tough slider, he walked more than a batter per inning in 2025, underscoring the severity of his command issues. With fewer than 300 career innings over five years, Teodo’s lack of experience has contributed to his struggles, as advanced hitters are less likely to chase pitches outside the zone.
Teodo’s arsenal is undeniably electric. His sinker features elite velocity and movement, and his slider has the bite to miss bats when located properly. However, his control currently grades at the bottom of the scale, and until he can consistently throw strikes, he won’t be ready for the major leagues. The Rangers’ challenge is to refine his mechanics and build confidence in his ability to attack hitters, rather than relying solely on raw velocity. If he can make even incremental improvements, his stuff is good enough to carve out a meaningful role.
For fantasy managers, Teodo is best viewed as a speculative “closer of the future” candidate. The upside is enticing — a high‑strikeout reliever with triple-digit heat — but he needs at least a two-grade improvement in control to reach that ceiling. His 2025 stat line, with 29 walks in 30 innings, highlights the risk involved. Dynasty players should monitor his progress closely, recognizing that while the tools are there for late-inning impact, the path to fantasy relevance depends entirely on whether his command can catch up to his stuff.
9. Cameron Cauley (SS)
- Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2026 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 60 OF/Middle Infielder
- Last Updated: 01/13/2026
- Tools Summary: Speed/power blend with center‑field fit. Will he hit enough?
Cameron Cauley delivered a solid 2025 season in Double‑A, slashing .253/.325/.448 across 113 games. He showcased a balanced mix of power and speed, hitting 15 home runs and stealing 28 bases. While his strikeout rate remained elevated at 25%, he offset some of that swing‑and‑miss with a strong 10% walk rate. Defensively, Cauley’s versatility stood out as he logged time at second base, shortstop, and center field, though his speed and average arm strength suggest center field may be his best long-term fit.
Cauley’s game is defined by athleticism and speed. Over the past three seasons, he has averaged 30 stolen bases, consistently pressuring defenses on the basepaths. His strikeout rate has trended downward, though he still chases pitches outside the zone. In an effort to add more power, he’s increased his swing leverage, producing a 41% flyball rate. That adjustment has boosted his home run output but also contributed to the strikeouts. Even so, his ability to impact the game both offensively and defensively makes him a valuable developmental piece for the Rangers.
From a fantasy perspective, Cauley profiles as a potential late‑bloomer with intriguing upside. His speed and athleticism mirror players like Jakob Marsee, though his hit tool may not reach the same level. Still, with double-digit home run power and 25–30 stolen base potential, he offers a dynamic skill set that could play in deeper dynasty formats. If his strikeout rate continues to improve, Cauley has the tools to emerge as a versatile fantasy contributor, particularly in leagues that reward stolen bases and positional flexibility.
10. Yeremy Cabrera (OF)
- Highest Level: Low-A ETA: 2027+ Fantasy Ceiling: Top 60 OF with upside
- Last Updated: 01/13/2026
- Tools Summary: Speed and plate discipline, sneaky upside if he can hit enough.
Yeremy Cabrera signed with the Rangers in 2022 for just $10,000, but he has quickly emerged as one of the more intriguing sleepers from that class. Since debuting in the DSL, he has consistently flashed tools that translate to fantasy upside. In 2025, he spent the entire season in Low‑A, producing a .256/.364/.366 slash line with a strong 19% strikeout rate. His plus speed and leveraged swing path stood out, and despite concerns that strikeouts might rise, he has kept them under control so far.
Cabrera’s offensive game is still developing. His average exit velocity of 87 mph suggests he needs to add strength, and while he may never grow into a true power hitter, doubles power should be attainable. With his fly-ball-heavy approach and leveraged swing, he could settle into the 8–12 home run range annually. His speed is his most impactful tool, consistently grading as plus, and it gives him the potential to steal 25 or more bases per season. Continued physical growth and refinement of his bat speed will determine how quickly he can climb the ladder.
For fantasy managers, Cabrera offers sneaky upside in deeper dynasty formats. The combination of strong plate discipline, modest pop, and plus speed makes him a potential contributor across multiple categories. While his lack of present power caps his ceiling, the stolen base potential, paired with a disciplined approach at the plate, provides a foundation for fantasy relevance. He remains a developmental project, but there’s enough “fantasy goodness” here to justify keeping him on watchlists as he matures.
