Despite losing the race for Roki Sasaki, the Texas Rangers are still in possession of one of the top international prospects in all of baseball: infielder Sebastian Walcott.
As Sasaki dominates headlines, MLB prospect analysts are turning their attention to other rising international talents, and Walcott stands out as a prime example. Listed as the Rangers’ top prospect, Walcott ranks No. 23 on MLB Pipeline’s rankings, making him the third-highest international signing in the entire league.
The only players above him are Ethan Salas, a catcher for the San Diego Padres, who ranks No. 19, and Samuel Basallo, a slugger with the Baltimore Orioles, at No. 13. Despite the competition, all three are viewed as top-tier talents with similar potential.
Walcott was part of the 2023 international signing class, with the Rangers securing him with a $3.2 million signing bonus. At just 17 years old, he made his debut in High-A, where he faced some early struggles but still had a successful first professional season. In 2024, Walcott’s performance only heightened expectations, as he posted a .265/.344/.452 slash line with 11 home runs and 27 stolen bases.
By the end of the 2024 season, Walcott had ascended to Double-A, continuing to impress with his power and speed. His standout combination of offensive potential and a strong arm positions him to be a standout defender on the left side of the infield as he develops.
Walcott’s rise could mark a turning point for the Rangers’ international prospects, a category in which the team hasn’t historically been dominant. While Texas has had success with international talent in the past, such as Hall of Famers Ivan Rodriguez and Juan Gonzalez, they currently have just one international player on the roster: Leody Taveras.
Taveras, a solid bench bat and pinch runner, has been with the Rangers on-and-off for the past five years, posting a career slash line of .240/.293/.371. Although Taveras has yet to reach star status, he has shown flashes of potential. He spent most of the 2023 season as a starter but is expected to return to a bench role in 2025.
Jurickson Profar, another successful international find, made his first All-Star team with the San Diego Padres in 2024 after a breakout year. However, his rise came after his final season with the Rangers in 2018.
While Texas may not be traditionally known for its international talent pipeline, Sebastian Walcott’s rapid ascent could be the catalyst for changing that perception. With his mix of power, speed, and defensive prowess, Walcott has the potential to become one of the Rangers’ most exciting homegrown stars.
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