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December 23, 2007

Future Shock

Rangers Top 11 Prospects

by Kevin Goldstein

Five-Star Prospects
1. Neftali Feliz, RHP
Four-Star Prospects
2. Eric Hurley, RHP
3. Elvis Andrus, SS
4. Engel Beltre, OF
5. Michael Main, RHP
6. Chris Davis, 3B
Three-Star Prospects
7. Taylor Teagarden, C
8. Blake Beavan, RHP
9. Matt Harrison, RHP
10. Max Ramirez, C
11. German Duran, 2B

Just Missing: Kasey Kiker, LHP; David Murphy, OF; Neil Ramirez, RHP

1. Neftali Feliz, RHP
DOB: 5/2/88
Height/Weight: 6-3/180
Bats/Throws: R/R
Acquired: NDFA, 2005, Dominican Republic (Braves)
2007 Stats: 1.98 ERA at Rookie-level (27.1-18-12-28); 3.60 ERA at Short-season (15-13-12-27)

Year In Review: He was giving Appy League hitters fits with his high-ceiling arm for the Braves organization before moving to Texas in the Mark Teixeira trade, where he continued to rack up strikeouts in the Northwest League.
The Good: Feliz has pure gas now and projects for even more. He sits at 94-96 mph consistently, while touching 98 nearly every time out, and his heat features a hard boring action as well. He makes it look effortless with smooth, clean mechanics, and many feel there's more in there once his skinny frame fills out a bit. His breaking ball has improved considerably from when he first signed, and he earns rave reviews for his work ethic and maturity.
The Bad: Feliz can still overthrow at times, costing him command and flattening out his secondary pitches. His changeup is still a work in progress. He's been so dominant with his fastball that he's rarely felt the need to work on his other pitches. All in all, Feliz just needs innings and experience, and needs to learn the lessons that only come from getting hit around a bit, which as one scout put it, "might not happen for awhile."
Fun Fact: Northwest League hitters facing Feliz with runners in scoring position and two outs went 0-for-6 against him with five strikeouts.
Perfect World Projection: An elite power pitcher.
Timetable: The Braves were highly cautious with Feliz in 2007, and after his showing in the Northwest League, the Rangers are ready to take the kid's gloves off. He'll make his full-season debut in the Midwest League.

2. Eric Hurley, RHP
DOB: 9/17/85
Height/Weight: 6-4/195
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted: 1^st round, 2004, Wolfson HS (FL)
2007 Stats: 3.25 ERA at Double-A (88.2-71-27-76); 4.91 ERA at Triple-A (73.1-65-28-59)