Texas Rangers pitcher David Davalillo works int he bullpen during a spring training workout at the team’s training facility on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, in Surprise, Ariz.
Smiley N. Pool/Staff Photographer
The Rangers have a chance to restock their farm system — one that’s been picked apart by trades in the last year — in this weekend’s amateur draft. They selected seven players last summer who landed on The Dallas Morning News’ top 30 prospects list in the preseason, and through the first years of their careers, some have shown meaningful progress.Â
That’s what makes this a good time to update and rerank our preseason list ahead of the draft.Â
Here are prospects Nos. 20-11. The top 10 will be revealed July 10.
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No. 20: SS Daniel Rodriguez
Age: 18 Preseason rank: Unranked How he was acquired: Signed out of Venezuela in 2025 to a $247,500 bonus
Why he’s here: The teenage infielder has been one of the system’s breakout hitters thanks to an approach adjustment, added strength and natural command of the strike zone. He’s slashed .314/.413/.512 in the Arizona Complex League this season and has played good defense at shortstop.Â
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No. 19: OF Paxton Kling
Texas Rangers minor league outfielder Paxton Kling participates in a fielding drill during of a spring training workout at the team’s training facility on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in Surprise, Ariz.
Smiley N. Pool/Dallas Morning News
Age: 23 Preseason rank: 18 How he was acquired: Selected in the 2025 MLB draft (seventh round) out of Penn State
Why he’s here: Kling’s power potential hasn’t yet translated to professional games, but he’s gotten on base at a .400 clip, walked more than he’s struck out and stolen double-digit bases this season. If the power does click, as evaluators thought it could, Kling could continue to rise.
No. 18: UTIL Cam Cauley
Texas Rangers infielder Cam Cauley looks out from the on deck circle during the second inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Globe Life Field on Sunday, July 5, 2026, in Arlington.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Age: 23 Preseason rank: 14 How he was acquired: Selected in the 2021 MLB draft (third round) out of Barbers Hill High (Mont Belvieu)
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Why he’s here: Cauley slashed .262/.363/.407 at Triple-A Round Rock before the Rangers promoted him to the major leagues. He hit a tad less for power in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League than he did last season at Double-A Frisco, but his walk rate and on-base percentage are both career highs. His ceiling will be determined by whether he can hit at the big league level; his speed and defense have already given him a decent floor.Â
No. 17: RHP Leandro Lopez
Texas Rangers pitcher Leandro Lopez throws live batting practice during a spring training workout at the team’s training facility on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, in Surprise, Ariz.
Smiley N. Pool/Dallas Morning News
Age: 24 Preseason rank: 13 How he was acquired: Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2021 to a $10,000 bonus
Why he’s here: Lopez impressed in spring training but had a 7.20 ERA and a .329 batting average allowed at Double-A Frisco before arm fatigue sidelined him at the end of May. He broke out last season thanks to a starter’s arsenal, and while some believe he’ll be a reliever at the major league level, the Rangers have continued to develop him in the rotation.Â
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No. 16: RHP Jacob Johnson
Texas Rangers minor league pitcher Jacob Johnson throws in the bullpen during a spring training workout at the team’s training facility on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, in Surprise, Ariz.
Smiley N. Pool/Staff Photographer
Age: 20 Preseason rank: 19 How he was acquired: Selected in the 2025 MLB draft (11th round) out of Pearl River CC
Why he’s here: The junior college righty was seen as a potential breakout candidate this spring, and he’s done exactly that. Johnson, who only just turned 20, has a 2.82 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 22 â…“ innings at the Arizona Complex League this season. His sinker has run 96-97 mph despite the fact that he’s got room to grow.Â
No. 15: 3B Jack Wheeler
Texas Rangers minor league infielder Jack Wheeler participates in a spring training workout at the team’s training facility on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, in Surprise, Ariz.
Smiley N. Pool/Staff Photographer
Age: 19 Preseason rank: 16 How he was acquired: Selected in the 2025 MLB draft (sixth round) out of Morris Community High (Morris, Ill.)
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Why he’s here: The 6-5 third baseman has produced in his first professional season. Wheeler has slashed .309/.362/.537 with 19 extra-base hits in the Arizona Complex League. His 41-to-11 strikeout-to-walk ratio is harsh, but if leveled out, there’s upside.   Â
No. 14: LHP Dalton Pence
Frisco RoughRiders pitcher Dalton Pence delivers to Springfield Cardinals catcher Ryan Campos during the first inning of a minor league baseball game on Friday, June 5, 2026, in Frisco.
Smiley N. Pool/The Dallas Morning News
Age: 23 Preseason rank: 22 How he was acquired: Selected in the 2024 MLB Draft (11th round) out of North Carolina
Why he’s here: Pence has undoubtedly established himself as the top left-handed pitcher in the minor league system this year with a nifty fastball that runs in the low-to-mid 90s and an arsenal that was overhauled after the draft. He earned an early-season promotion to Double-A Frisco and has a 2.61 ERA in eight starts there.Â
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No. 13: OF Elorky Rodriguez
Texas Rangers minor league infielder/outfielder Elorky Rodriguez participates in a fielding drill during of a spring training workout at the team’s training facility on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in Surprise, Ariz.
Smiley N. Pool/Dallas Morning News
Age: 18 Preseason rank: 9 How he was acquired: Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2025 to a $1.09 million bonus
Why he’s here: Rodriguez dropped because he’s slashed just .208/.345/.325 with more strikeouts than walks in the Arizona Complex League. He was one of the system’s better hitters last season, and because he has a long track of offensive production as an amateur, it’s too early for major concerns. On the plus side, his defense, largely considered a weak point in his game, has improved.   Â
No. 12: 3B Elian Rosario
Age: 17 Preseason rank: 12 How he was acquired: Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2025 to a $2.5 million bonus
Why he’s here: Rosario has produced as the Rangers expected when they inked him to a significant international amateur deal. He’s slashed .284/.440/.457 with three home runs and more walks than strikeouts in 22 games at the Dominican Summer League. His infield defense has been better than initially expected as well.Â
No. 11: RHP David Davalillo
Texas Rangers pitcher David Davalillo delivers during the eighth inning of a spring training game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, in Surprise, Ariz.
Smiley N. Pool/Dallas Morning News
Age: 25 Preseason rank: 7 How he was acquired: Signed in 2022 to a minor league deal
Why he’s here: The system’s best strike thrower suddenly isn’t as sharp. Davalillo had a 7.59 ERA and more walks than strikeouts in six starts at Triple-A Round Rock before the Rangers shut him down to address his mechanics. He isn’t the first prospect to need some in-season tweaks (see: Leiter, Jack), but it may stall what appeared to be a potentially quick big league track.Â