January rolls around and that can only mean one thing around these parts: It’s time to rank minor league prospects. Every team in the majors sells hope to its fans: Some sell it more immediately, in the form of active offseasons full of free agent signings and trade acquisitions. Others, meanwhile, sell it in the form of leads that could make a difference in the years to come.
CBS Sports is currently reviewing the top three prospects from each organization. Our definition of “prospect” is simple: does this player still have eligibility as a rookie for the 2025 season? If so, it’s a prospect; if not, that’s probably why your favorite young player is missing from the proceedings.
As always, these lists are compiled through conversations with scouts, analysts, player development specialists and other industry talent evaluators. There is also a good amount of first-hand assessments, statistical analysis and historical research. Plus a bunch of personal biases: we all have certain traits and profiles that we prefer over others, it makes no sense to pretend otherwise.
Keep in mind that there is no right answer to this stuff. Furthermore, these are just our opinions, which means they have no real bearing on the future. We have already published our ranking of the 25 best prospects in all minors.
With all that out of the way, let’s move on to ranking the top three prospects in the Texas Rangers system.
1. Sébastien Walcott, SS
Ranking among the top 25: No. 20
The short hook: Huge risk, immense reward
One of the most encouraging things a hitting prospect can do is perform well when he is significantly younger than his competition. Walcott did just that, more than holding his own as an 18-year-old in High-A, where he regularly faced pitchers four years his senior. Walcott has the size and innate explosive attributes needed to become a mid-major force. Given the circumstances, consider it reassuring that he struck out just 25.5 percent of the time — especially since strike tool issues were one of the biggest question marks facing his game . Another? Whether or not he outgrows the shortstop position, necessitating a move to third base. For now, Walcott’s bat looks promising enough to make the case moot. MLB AND: Spring 2027
2. Alejandro Rosario, RHP
The short hook: Rapidly rising draft steal
The Rangers drafted Rosario in the fifth round in 2023 after a dreadful platform season at the University of Miami that saw him post a flying ERA. He fared much better in his first professional appearance, splitting 88 innings between Low-A and High-A, while striking out nearly 37% of the batters he faced and walking just 3.7%. Rosario’s qualities have never been in doubt: he combines a rising fastball with two other promising secondary pitches. Provided he continues to throw strikes – no guarantees, mind you – he should slot in as an above-average starter over the next 18 months. If not, he could become the Rangers’ closer in the near future. MLB ET: Spring 2026
The short hook: Still famous, still polarizing
The Rocker book hasn’t changed in a while, although we have to continue printing new editions. He is still a physical right-hander with an impressive track record. He still combines a mid-90s fastball with a fade slider. He still has a movement profile on his fastball that could land him playing against big league hitters. And yes, he is still missing a third throw. Rocker has dealt with his share of durability issues (he’s thrown fewer than 100 innings since leaving Vanderbilt in 2021), but it appears he will at least exhaust his rookie eligibility this coming year. Depending on your perspective, the range of results here extends from above-average starter to future reliever. At least we’re close to a resolution. MLB ET: Already made its debut
