Jim Callis is one of the most respected experts on major league farm systems. Twice a year he ranks each team’s minor league organization. His 2023 preseason rankings are out and the Rangers are ranked seventh out of thirty.

They are pretty much holding steady to where he ranked them this time last year (ninth) and in midseason (sixth). But it’s a far cry better than where they were two years ago.

Of course, as any Rangers fan knows who hasn’t been suck on Mars the last two decades, the Rangers success rate turning prospects into serviceable major leaguers is dismal. Texas has had an abysmal track record developing major league players. So, take this ranking with the well-deserved grain of salt. Until the Rangers are able to actually develop a quality major leaguer, farm system rankings are just numbers written in the sand at high tide.

But, here is what Jim Callis says about this year’s ranking.

7. Texas Ranger

2022 midseason rank: 6
2022 preseason rank: 9
2021 midseason rank: 11
2021 preseason rank: 21

Top 100 Prospects: Josh Jung, 3B (No. 34); Evan Carter, OF (No. 41); Owen White, RHP (No. 66); Luisangel Acuña, SS/2B (No. 71); Jack Leiter, RHP (No. 81); Brock Porter, RHP (No. 94).

The Rangers have developed just two homegrown All-Stars since 2004 (Joey Gallo and Martin Pérez), forcing them to rely on free-agent signings to rejuvenate the big league club. That should be about to change, with Jung a prime Rookie of the Year candidate, Carter headlining a deep crop of outfielders, and White and Leiter fronting perhaps the best group of pitching prospects the franchise has ever had.

It’s encouraging. Especially the part about the pitching. But now that the Rangers have a former successful big league pitcher as their general manager, maybe their luck will change.

It can’t get any worse.

You can read Jim Callie’s entire article about the Rangers farm system here.

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TODAY’S GAME:

Texas vs Chicago Cubs, 3:05