Ricky Vanasco looks good back
Rangers had problems at the reserve deadline on November 19, but it’s a good problem to have.
Texas has more attractive prospects asking for protection from the draft Rule 5 than they have on a 40-man list to fill.
While a case could have been made to add as many as six players, Rangers chose three: shortstops Ezequiel Duran and the people on the right Ricky Vanasco and Ronny Henriquez.
Though he’s never thrown higher than a low A and just finished his rehab following Tommy John surgery in the tutorial tournament, Vanasco was an easy pick.
Some in the organization believe Vanasco is Rangers’ top pitch prospect.
“Ricky, obviously, has left TJ, but he was pitching very, very well at the end of the year in Arizona,” said Rangers President of Baseball Operations Jon Daniels.
“He’s really matured, like so many guys come out of (rehab), and I’m glad he got a real chance to kick it off and see the combination of powers. as a starter.”
Vanasco, who turned 21 in October during instruction, regularly hits the upper 90s with a quick four-way ball and is pleased with his variable vertical movement, the volley. Throw has his best speed. He also throws a slider and a pendulum.
His break plan calls for him to stay in Arizona to continue working on his mechanics and conditioning, though he took care of most of that work during his post-surgery respite. elbow in September 2020. Vanasco said he gained 40 pounds but still kept his thin figure.
Rangers knocked Vanasco out of Willston (Fla.) High in round 15 of 2017. He knew he needed to stabilize the routine once he got back to his pace over the course of a season.
“Now the most important thing is, at the end of the day, I’m healthy and back on track, playing games and doing what I love again,” Vanasco said.
RANGERS ROUNDUP
– Duran, who was acquired in Joey Gallo trades with the Yankees, was a lock before his standout performance in the Arizona Fall League. Henriquez was chosen because his quick ball characteristics can be effective as a warm-up or as a pain reliever for several rounds.
– The first choose Jack Leiter said he hopes to begin holding touch-and-feel training sessions in late December with the goal of heading to Arizona for spring training in mid-January. Rangers shut down Leiter after drafted him Monday. two overall and allowed him to continue his studies at Vanderbilt while working out and working on a plan they designed with his personal strength coach.
– First Warrior Blaine Crim, who reached Double A Frisco in 2021, was one of the top players at the start of the season in the Puerto Rico Winter League. Over 22 games, he won .400 for Mayaguez with 11 base hits and 1,029 OPS.
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