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While UT-Arlington outfielder Michael Choice was the 10th overall pick in Monday’s Major League Baseball Draft, your Texas Rangers went with a two-pronged philosophy:
1. Players who had character.
2. Players that were cheap.
Not necessarily in that order.
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The Rangers, mired in unprecedented bankruptcy proceedings, drafted Georgia high-schooler Jake Skole (who wasn’t on their draft board as recently as two weeks ago) and Canadian catcher Kellin Deglan (who in mock drafts was labeled one of the most signable players). They also drafted Florida high-school pitcher Luke Jackson and University of Connecticut infielder Mike Olt.
The Rangers are confident at signing all four players, a far cry from the ugliness of last summer.
Last year the Rangers signed Houston high-school pitcher Matt Purke, but he ultimately rejected their contract offer and instead enrolled at TCU. Reports say the Rangers offered Purke $4 million but that he desired $7 million.
None of this year’s crop – Skole is a football star who orally committed to Georgia Tech – has the talent of Purke, who this season at TCU is 13-0 and is reminding of another tall, lanky lefty named Randy Johnson.
But, hey, at least they’ll actually enter the Rangers’ farm system.
