A quick look at the 2016 Rangers draft class

Three days and 40 rounds later, the 2016 MLB Draft is complete. For a complete list of Rangers draft picks, click here.

Here are a few tidbits from the Rangers 2016 draft class:

• Texas took left-handed pitcher Cole Ragans with its first-round pick (30th overall). Do you remember who the Rangers took last time they had the 30th overall pick? That would be current RoughRiders pitcher Luis Ortiz, who has quickly blossomed into a rising star for the Rangers. Texas can hope for the same from Ragans (if he signs). In order to do that, he’ll have to pass up an offer from FSU, just like Ortiz did, although they’d be passing up different FSUs. Ortiz passed on Fresno State, while Ragans would have to leave Florida State behind to sign with Texas.
• The Rangers selected 23 pitchers (18 RHPs, 5 LHPs), seven outfielders, six infielders, and four catchers with their 40 picks.
• 28 of the 40 picks came from the collegiate ranks, although the first three picks were high school players.
• On a lighter note, there are some fun names in this year’s draft class, including Herbie Good (my favorite), Tai Tiedemann, and Hever Bueno.
• While we’re on the subject of names, the Rangers picked Cole/Kole, Mark/Marc, three Alex’s, and back-to-back players named Kyle.

-Ryan

Baseball term of the day: Draft-and-Follow — Said of a high school or first-year junior-college player who was selected in the first-year player draft but not immediately signed as the club watched the player’s coming amateur season before deciding to offer a contract the following May.

(term from The Dickson Baseball Dictionary)