Top 5 Overall Texas Rangers Rookies - Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide 2009

1. Taylor Teagarden (C)

2. Elvis Andrus (SS)

3. Neftali Feliz (RHP)

4. Derek Holland (LHP)

5. Max Ramirez (C/1B/DH)

Player Projections and Details

1. Taylor Teagarden (C)

Out of the current group of young Rangers catchers, it is University of Texas alum Taylor Teagarden who features the best combination of defensive and offensive ability. While Jarrod Saltalamacchia may have a higher offensive ceiling, Teagarden's defense and game-calling expertise should garner him a bit more playing time than his counterpart. Unless Texas is serious about platooning their catchers, Saltalamacchia may end up being traded for a young pitcher, and in that scenario Teagarden's value would rise dramatically. If given the full load of a starting catcher, Teagarden could hit 20 home runs and drive in 60-70 runs, albeit with a batting average around .250. In a platoon role, Teagarden should still contribute with some home runs, but should only be considered as a backup on your fantasy roster.

2. Elvis Andrus (SS)

Elvis Andrus may one day lead the league in steals and provide offensive production similar to Orlando Cabrera and Edgar Renteria, but that is not likely to happen this year. Still just 20 years old, Elvis has never played about Double-A, and he's faced with replacing a man at shortstop who recently had five consecutive seasons of at least 200 hits. Andrus may very well struggle offensively in his first year in the league, but the Rangers are going to give him every opportunity to succeed. They've already signed his boyhood hero Omar Vizquel to serve as a mentor to Elvis as well as his primary competition for playing time at short. Elvis should also benefit by working with famed Rangers hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo. But for right now he is fantasy relevant for one reason only: steals. He could end up stealing 30-40 bases this year with just a .300 on-base percentage. He may surprise us all with his bat and have a productive offensive season similar to those put up by Cabrera and Renteria during their rookie campaigns, and you should monitor his progress through the season to avoid missing out, but for now only grab Andrus if you need steals and can afford to sacrifice a bit in the batting average department.

3. Neftali Feliz (RHP)

In trying to imagine what kind of production you can expect out of 20 year-old Neftali Feliz, think of how Joba Chamberlain performed out of the bullpen for the Yankees in late 2007 and 2008. With a true and easy 100 MPH fastball, Feliz could potentially dominate in the majors right now out of the bullpen. The Rangers may likely bring him into that kind of situation mid-way through the 2009 season, but in the immediate future they want him to work on improving his secondary pitches. Depending on his level of success, Feliz could have a Joba-like effect out of the bullpen, racking up strikeouts at a great rate, or he could come up as a starter later in the year. Either way, it's worth keeping an eye on his progress in the minors and the Rangers' plans for his eventual call-up. Feliz has a very special arm, and you believe in that until it fails. This kid could end up pushing your team into the playoffs or even the league championship if everything goes smoothly.

4. Derek Holland (LHP)

Derek Holland is, like Feliz, a hard thrower--he sits at 94-95 MPH and can touch 97--but he is a very different pitcher. Unlike Feliz, he is not likely to pitch out of the bullpen upon his arrival in the majors sometime this summer; he will succeed as a starter or he will fail as a starter and be sent back down to the minors. Holland is currently one of the game's best lefthanded pitching prospects, but he too needs to work on his secondary offerings--particularly his change-up. Expect to see him with the Rangers in June, and while he will likely struggle on occasion, he will strike out a lot of batters and continue to improve throughout the season. By August he may very well be one of the Rangers' best starters and a solid pickup option off the waiver wire.

5. Max Ramirez (C/1B/DH)

Maximiliano Ramirez has been likened to a young Victor Martinez, both for his great hitting ability and his defensive shortcomings. With the Rangers' recent emphasis on defense he is likely to open the season at Triple-A Oklahoma City to work on his catching and receiving skills. His offense is ready for the big leagues, and he could hit 20-25 home runs while maintaining a solid .280 batting average if given a full season of playing time, but the Teagarden-Saltalamacchia duo are blocking him at catcher, and Chris Davis and Hank Blalock are blocking him at first base and the DH spot. A couple of trades could open a place on the Rangers' roster for him, and at least one trade is not unlikely, but for now don't bother with him on draft day. If he starts to see consistent playing time in the majors, and you have some deadweight to cast off your roster, by all means pick up Ramirez. But at the moment it's looking like it could be awhile for MaxRam to become a viable fantasy option.

Rangers Rookies for Later: Justin Smoak (1B), Julio Borbon (CF), Thomas Diamond (RHP)