Rangers Claim Astros Prospect in Rule 5 Draft

The Texas Rangers made a small splash to close out the MLB Winter Meetings on Thursday when they selected Astros prospect Delino DeShields Jr. in the major-league portion of the Rule 5 Draft, meaning they have to immediately put him on their major-league roster or offer him back to Houston for $25,000.

DeShields, who has never played above the Double-A level for the Astros, was blocked by a surplus of outfield prospects in the Astros' system, but he comes with quite a bit of promise aside from the fact he's the son of the former major-leaguer by the same name.

DeShields is a converted center fielder, which the Rangers lack other than Leonys Martin. He has plus speed and has been praised for his strike zone discipline in the minors. He has absolutely zero power, but he can make it in the bigs with his speed and defensive talent. He was a natural second baseman and is said to have raw skill in center, but his speed can make him a good center fielder. He was the eighth overall pick in the 2010 draft.

He batted .236 with a .346 on-base percentage to go with 11 homers, 61 walks and 54 stolen bases for Double-A Corpus Christi.

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