Rangers Leaning Toward College Pitcher In Draft

Hosmer seems more of a cute, trend pick for the Rangers than anything else. 'Oooh, Texas has picked Boras clients in the past and are willing to pony up, so he's the natural selection.' Fact is, though, this news seems to jibe better with the club's needs and the organizational reality that established pitchers, in general, don't want to play in Texas.

It's easy for the Rangers to sign big-ticket offensive free-agents looking to pad their stats and prove themselves worthy of the big contract. Pitchers, on the other hand, would rather pitch...anywhere else. Aside from maybe Colorado, that park is a pitcher's nightmare. That's why, as good as Josh Hamilton is and will be for the Rangers, the Volquez deal was probably a poor one for them (though in their defense, he'd been pretty inconsistent and gave little indication he'd be THIS good, this soon).

While I don't think this means that Texas needs to go with a pitcher in the first round of EVERY draft, it is the smart direction, barring a really special bat at a premium position. By all accounts, Hosmer fits the first bill; he's got as much offensive upside as anyone in this draft. But first base is anything but a premium position and, while he projects to play solid D at first, that's not saying all that much. With a stud prospect in Chris Davis, on the way and a possible position change for at least one of the club's many terrific catching prospects- probably Salty and/or Max Ramirez- the organization does not need another first baseman.

Additionally, they should have their pick of the second tier of top college pitchers and first tier of HS arms, so early in the draft (11th). Only Matusz and Crow are locks to be gone there, with Hunt (my fave and a sure-fire favorite in Texas...c'mon, a fireballer named Shooter Hunt; guy is perfect), Friedrich, and Melville leading the list of possibles.

It just seems to be the right direction for the organization; I think they're smart to go this way.

Personally I think Jon Daniels is one of the dumbest GMs out there. But I think the Hamilton deal was probably his first smart move. They have depth at pitching in the minors, Eric Hurley, Neftali Perez, Michael Main, etc. So I don't think it's a must draft pitching year. Like I could see them taking G. Beckham (Damn I hope he falls to the A's) to reinforce the infield. But I think that if Daniels doesn't figure out a way to win in Texas soon he's gonna be gone.

"Only Matusz and Crow are locks to be gone there"

Incorrect. Crow's rumored bonus demands are around $8 million and an MLB deal. If that's the case, there's a very good chance he slides to the latter part of the draft. The White Sox are really the only team who could pony up to his asking price before the Rangers select.