Three outliers that will accelerate the Texas Rangers timeline

Leody Taveras

Texas Rangers center fielder and #3 prospect, Leody Taveras, turned 22 years old on Tuesday. He debuted this season and has now played in 15 games with Texas, thus far hitting .222 with two home runs and a .316 OBP. Taveras has fluctuated within the organization’s prospect rankings, possessing the #1 spot in 2017 before falling to #5 a year ago. His bat is “wait and see,” though his defense is already elite.

Rating 65 on the prospect grading scale (20-80), fielding is Taveras’ top tool. His speed is the next highest rating at 60, and then his arm at 55. His 6’2”, 195 LB frame and long-stride running style are reminiscent of Minnesota Twins’ center fielder, Byron Buxton, who many consider to be the best at his position in MLB. While Buxton’s abilities prevail, Taveras’ are not far behind. The two could directly compete for Gold Glove awards for years to come.

It’s been a long time since Texas has had as athletic of a center fielder as Taveras. Delino DeShields was faster, though he did not have the arm strength or length of Taveras. Josh Hamilton was a tremendous athlete, though he was not nearly as fast as Taveras.

If the 22-year-old can compete with the bat, then the Rangers can feel confident and comfortable with their center fielder for the next decade or so. Without a doubt, that’s a critical position to lockdown.