Top 20 Prospects Overall: 1-10

10)   Kasey Kiker -- SP

The Good:   Tremendous stuff, from his mid-to-high 90's heat, solid curve and what is now being regarded as a plus change.   

The Bad:    Still a little inconsistent with command and his small stature is seen by some as liability.

See Him:   Bakersfield.   If he succeeds quickly and consistenly there, he's got a good shot of seeing Frisco by August.

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9)   Taylor Teagarden --  C

The Good:    Intelligence, leadership, tremendous defensive skills, inspires confidence in his pitchers and he can hit too.   

The Bad:    History of injuries and somewhat disturbing trend in his BB/K ratio lead to some doubt as to how much of an asset he'll be as a hitter.

See Him:   Tough one.   Though he played just 24 games with Frisco and could use some more time in the Texas League, I think he'll break camp with Oklahoma.   A return to Frisco would mean splitting time with Max Ramirez.   If Jarrod Saltalamacchia opens the season with Oklahoma, as the Rangers suggest he might, then you can expect to see Teagarden in Frisco on opening day.

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8)  Neftali Feliz -- SP

The Good: "God-given gasoline."   Explosive 98 mph fastball with easy arm action.   Great attitude.  Great body. Flashes a potentially crippling breaking ball.

The Bad:   Lacks command and needs to develop his secondary pitches.

See Him:   Clinton.  Bakersfield at some point.  He's got the sort of stuff that could and probably will land him in Arlington before he turns 21.

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7)   Blake Beavan --  SP

The Good:   Big, powerful build, intimidating presence, heavy mid-90's fastball and the greatest slider that Blake Beavan has ever seen.   Extremely confident and has not only the personality but the track record to suggest that he'll covet the chance to have the ball in the toughest of situations.

The Bad:  Hubris?    In pre-draft scouting reports, there were some concerns about the recoil in his delivery causing physical problems down the road.    Needs to develop offspeed stuff.

See Him:   I would not be terribly surprised if Beavan starts in the AZL (especially if the Rangers perceive too much of a sense of entitlement), but Spokane is far more likely.

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6)    Cristian Santana -- C

The Good:   A physical specimen, gifted athlete,  pure hitter withe power, hard worker and a leader.

The Bad:   Not much.   He's had a nagging shoulder problem that has popped up more than once.   Needs to refine his catching skills.

See Him:    He'll more likely than not stay back in extended spring training and report to Spokane when NWL play begins in June, but I wouldn't rule out the possibility of the 18 year old seeing time with Clinton before the season is over.  If he picks up where he left of in Spokane, that league won't hold him for long.

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5)    Eric Hurley --  SP

The Good:    Very tough competitor, locates his lively low-tomid 90's fastball extremely well;  flashes a plus slider.

The Bad:    Still needs to tune up the offspeed stuff a bit.   Can lose focus when things don't go his way.

See Him:   Oklahoma, probably all year, and then a September callup.  He's almost certain to begin 2009 in the Rangers rotation.

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4)   Michael Main --  SP / CF

The Good:   You name it.   Explosive mid-90's cheese, a plus power curve ball, a surprisingly good feel for a change.   He has an easy delivery and   Focus, intelligence, athleticism....  And if for whatever reason pitching doesn't pan out, he's a blue chip center field prospect.

The Bad:   Beats me.

See Him:    He'll stay back in extended for awhile before reporting to Clinton in mid-June.  He'll be in the MWL for the rest of the year.

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3)   Elvis Andrus --  SS

The Good:   A future gold glover at a premium defensive position.   Burning desire to win, to lead:  he's a catalyst on the field and in the organization.   Rapidly advancing skills at the plate.  Plus speed and enough pop in the bat to see lots of doubles and 15 dingers a year in his future.   Just a special, special kid.

The Bad:   I guess it's possible that he won't make it to the Hall of Fame on the first ballot.  ;-)   

See Him:   Frisco.  And I will.  Frequently.

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2)    Chris Davis --  3b / 1b?

The Good:    Mammoth power.   Can hit the ball a country mile.   Knocks the cover off the ball.   Tape-measure power.   Hit's a ton.   Hard worker, great attitude and a plus arm.   Showed the ability to make adjustments quickly when he was challenged in double-A.

The Bad:   Still awkward defensively at third base.   High K rates.

See Him:   I expect to see Davis back in Frisco when camp breaks, but he won't be there for long.    If I had to bet, I'd say he's the Rangers starting first baseman within a year and a half, and then for many years to come.

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1)   Engel Beltre --  CF

The Good:    The best athlete in the system.  Tremendous speed,  a howitzer for an arm and while he shows plus power now everyone agrees that he will develop much more as he matures physically.   Loves the game.  Plays hard.   If he had been born in the US, he'd arguably be one of three or four kids in the 2008 draft in line to go #1 overall.

The Bad:   He's just a baby.  Plenty of time for something to go wrong.

See Him:    He'll probably stay back in extended and then report to Spokane in mid June, but Clinton is not out of the question.