The Texas Rangers selected left-handed pitcher Cole Ragans with the 30th overall pick in the Major League Baseball draft Thursday.
The 6-foot-3-inch high schooler from Tallahassee, Fla., went 9-2 with 104 strikeouts as a senior at North Florida Christian High School and was named an Under Armour All-American.
Experts praise the 18-year-old Ragans' athleticism and polish. They said he works in the low-90s with his fastball and has a projectable curveball and changeup.
Ragans, a Florida State commit, was drafted with a compensatory selection acquired by losing Yovani Gallardo to free agency.
The Rangers selected another arm in the second round when they took right-handed pitcher Alex Speas with the 63rd pick out of McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Ga.
Scouts said Speas, an Auburn commit, has first-round upside, but dropped due to control problems.
North Texans Drafted
Southlake Carroll shortstop Hudson Sanchez was taken in the first round by the San Diego Padres with the 24th overall pick.
Dallas Jesuit pitcher Kyle Muller was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the second round with the 44th overall pick. Muller was recently named Gatorade National Player of the Year.
ON DECK
After the first two rounds and compensatory picks were made Thursday night, the draft continues with rounds 3-10 Friday and 11-40 Saturday — all via conference calls with teams.
