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Rangers top prospects dot Round Rock Express opening day roster
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AUSTIN (KXAN) — Several top prospects in the Texas Rangers organization will begin the spring in Round Rock.
The Triple-A Round Rock Express opens its season Friday against the Sugar Land Space Cowboys at Dell Diamond for a three-game series before hitting the road for a six-game set in El Paso. Fans can get a peek at the Rangers' top talent assembled on the Express which includes four of the club's top 10 prospects.
Infielder Justin Foscue returns and is the Rangers' No. 5 prospect according to MLB Pipeline. The versatile Foscue was the 14th overall pick in the 2020 draft out of Mississippi State and logged 122 games with the Express last season. He slashed .266/.394/.468 in 2023 with 18 home runs and 84 RBIs to go with 14 stolen bases. Perhaps most important to the Rangers brass is that he walked more than he struck out last year, drawing 85 free passes while punching out 70 times.
Foscue appeared in 21 Spring Training games for the Rangers this season, hitting .250 with a homer and six RBIs. He's listed as both a second and third baseman and could be called upon this season if Marcus Semien or Josh Jung go down with injuries.
On the mound, the Express boasts the No. 8-10 prospects in the Rangers system beginning with 2021 No. 2 overall pick Jack Leiter. The son of former MLB pitcher Al Leiter, Jack started 19 games for Double-A Frisco last year and notched 110 strikeouts in 81 2/3 innings to go against 47 walks. His ERA was a bit inflated at 5.07, but his fastball reaches the upper 90s, and with the refinement of his secondary pitches, he could be a call-up later this season.
Right-handed pitchers Jose Corniell and Owen White round out the top 10 prospects for the Express, and outfielder Dustin Harris comes in at No. 11 on the list. Harris split time with the Express and Frisco last season, hitting .245 in 60 games in Round Rock.
The Express begin the season at 7:15 p.m. Friday against the Space Cowboys, the Astros Triple-A affiliate. Saturday's game is also at 7:15 p.m. while Sunday's game is a 1:05 p.m. start.