Texas Rangers Prospects Most At-Risk In Rule 5 Draft
The Texas Rangers have two prospects that are most at-risk of being lost in next month’s Rule 5 Draft, according to Baseball America.
Both are long-term prospects who either had to be placed on the 40-man roster or be exposed to the draft. It doesn’t mean the Rangers will lose either player. But, based on Baseball America’s analysis, Blaine Crim and Grant Wolfram are the most likely to be selected by other teams.
Crim is a first baseman and third baseman who, for the last few years, has shown off a powerful bat in the minor leagues.
The 19th-round pick in 2019 got to Triple-A Round Rock in 2023 and slashed .289/.385/.506/.891 with 22 home runs and 85 RBI. He has produced at least 20 home runs and 80 RBI in each of his last three seasons.
But his pathway to the Majors is blocked by first baseman Nathaniel Lowe and third baseman Josh Jung. Given his production, he could be ready to help a team in 2024. He’s playing baseball in the Dominican Winter League, which could be seen as a showcase for other scouts, writes Baseball America:
Crim doesn’t chase, makes plenty of contact and has enough power to make a pitcher pay when he makes a mistake.
As for Wolfram, he was selected in the 18th round in 2018 out of Davenport University, a Division II school in Michigan. He finally reached Triple-A in 2023 and the left-hander projects as a reliever in the Majors. He did finish the season at Double-A Frisco.
He’s coming off his best year in the minors in 2023, with a 10-1 record and a 3.90 ERA in 40 games (one start). He struck out 78, walked 24 and allowed batters to hit .199 against him.
For teams that select a player in the Rule 5 Draft, they must pay $100,000 to the player’s club, put him on their 26-man roster immediately and put him out outright waivers if they release him the following season. If he clears waivers, he goes back to his former team for $50,000.
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