The Rangers’ track record in the draft has been disappointing. Is that about to change?

When the Rangers opened the 2023 season at home on Thursday, it was the first time in a decade that Ian Kinsler would be on hand as a member of the organization. But there’s reason to believe the Rangers’ track record in the draft could look considerably better soon, and you won’t have to dig up Keith Law’s or Baseball America’s farm system rankings as proof. Their 2018 first-rounder Cole Winn could arrive during the season — but maybe not before that season’s second pick, Owen White, who is considered the organization’s top pitching prospect, ahead of 2021 top pick Jack Leiter. From 2010 through 2013, a four-season span that started with the franchise’s two World Series runs and was followed by a wild-card appearance and a Game 163 play-in game, Texas traded two first-round picks from its system in a deal for Cliff Lee, and other first-rounders in trades for Bengie Molina, Koji Uehara and Matt Garza. Aside from Gallo and Holland, the only Rangers picks since Kinsler to put together a career of at least 10 WAR – regardless of team – are pitchers Kyle Hendricks and Tanner Roark, all racked up after being traded ; Mitch Moreland ; and Brandon Woodruff and Drew Pomeranz, two pitchers they drafted but didn’t sign.