Why Should Rangers Draft Steele Hall?
This is the first mock draft that ESPN prospect rankings analyst Kiley McDaniel has issued for the 2025 MLB Draft cycle. During All-Star Weekend in Atlanta on Sunday and Monday, July 13–14, the draft will take place.
He argues that the Rangers indeed have a preference for a particular kind of player, which is why he chose Hall.
McDaniel Worte stated, “The Rangers will take any player demographic, but they tend to lean towards tools/upside at premium picks.” Hall is a plus-plus runner who has the feel to pull or lift the ball during games, making him one of the youngest players selected in the draft.
Because he is graduating from high school early, he is among the youngest players in the draft. In order to be eligible for the 2025 MLB draft and any universities that are interested in him, he was reclassified from the Class of 2026, making him younger than the average high school senior. A week following the draft, Hall will turn eighteen.
Hall is listed as McDaniel’s eleventh overall prospect.
Naturally, Corey Seager, who is currently in the fourth year of a 10-year contract, is Texas’ long-term shortstop. Sebastian Walcott, Texas’ top prospect, is in the system after him. Currently playing for Double-A Frisco, he may be promoted to Triple-A Round Rock by the
Walcott is only in his third season as a professional and has not yet turned 20. However, he has developed more quickly.
Hall or even Walcott might not be a good fit at shortstop. Middle infielders are often transformed into something else by the Rangers. The Rangers asked Josh Smith, a natural shortstop, to become a super-utility player prior to the 2023 season, which allows him to play seven different positions.
Although they don’t have to be in a rush, the Rangers may attempt the same with Hall. It will probably take him three or four years to position himself for a promotion to the Major Leagues. Texas has the luxury of patience.
Texas’s previous five first-round selections have been inconsistent.
Last year, the Rangers used their first-round pick to choose catcher Malcolm Moore. Moore, a Stanford graduate, is on the injured list but plays for High-A Hub City.
Florida outfielder Wyatt Langford was chosen by Texas in 2023. In less than a year, the former SEC star advanced through the Rangers’ system and was added to the opening-day roster the previous season. He is the starting left fielder for Texas.
Pitcher Kumar Rocker of Vanderbilt was selected in the first round of the 2022 Rangers draft. He made his Major League Baseball debut last year, but missed the majority of 2023 and 2024 due to Tommy John surgery. He is recovering from an injury to his right shoulder.
