Despite a deep batch of young catchers, Teagarden looks to emerge as the best. (Photo: Brent and MariLynn/Flickr)

For years the Texas Rangers have had to rely on offense, offense and more offense in order to win games. They can't seem to draft, cultivate or sign a decent starting pitcher to save their lives. Things have a way of quickly and unexpectedly changing. For the first time in years the Rangers finally have not one, but two incredible pitching prospects waiting in the wings. This on top of a group of offensive super-prospects really makes their future a bright spot rather than a dark and inevitable reality. With that being said, let's take a look at five of the players responsible for their system's turnaround.

1.) Neftali Feliz
Position: Pitcher | Statistics | Video | 2008 Rank: N/A
Bats: Right | Throws: Right | Height: 6-3 | Weight: 180
Scouting Report: Feliz made as big a move as any prospect last season as he dominated between Class A and AA. He has an incredibly smooth, effortless and clean motion with great mechanics. His fastball has reached triple digits (sits 94-99 mph) with good movement and counters that with two improving secondary pitches including a curveball and changeup that are showing to be at least average. If he can continue to build on his secondary stuff, his projections are off the chart and is a definite ace in the making.

2.) Elvis Andrus
Position: Shortstop | Statistics | Video | 2008 Rank: N/A
Bats: Right | Throws: Right | Height: 6-0 | Weight: 185
Scouting Report: Some scouts have been down on Andrus saying he hasn’t developed offensively like they have hoped. I don’t think they are looking close enough at his numbers from last year as he got better progressively throughout the 2008 season and finished with a strong average. He possesses all plus tools except power which isn’t a big deal considering he looks to be the lead off hitter of the future for the Rangers. He is a very smooth ballplayer and you can see that in the way he conducts his business on the field from his swing all the way to the way he handles himself in the field. He’s an incredible runner and has really mastered the art of stealing bases. But what really has garnered him the most attention is his defense. He has a ton of range, soft hands and an accurate cannon for an arm. He looks to make the Rangers’ club this season and has a solid mentor in Omar Vizquel to help him adapt.

3.) Justin Smoak
Position: First Base | Statistics | Video | 2008 Rank: N/A
Bats: Both | Throws: Left | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 215
Scouting Report: What makes this kid so special is his incredible eye at the plate, especially for a power hitter, as he consistently drew more walks than strikeouts each year in college. Smoak also posses a very sweet and fluid swing with the ability to hit productively from both sides of the plate as well as having plus-power to all fields. He has outstanding bat speed and takes healthy cuts which together helps the ball jump off his bat. While he does a great job staying inside the ball, he may need to pull the ball more (something you don’t hear too often with power hitters) rather than trying to force things to other fields. Smoak’s power will translate well to the majors and has the potential to hit 35-40 as well as hit for a high average. He’s a player for the Rangers to start building around.

4.) Derek Holland
Position: Pitcher | Statistics | Video | 2008 Rank: N/A
Bats: Both | Throws: Left | Height: 6-2 | Weight: 185
Scouting Report: Like fellow teammate Feliz, Holland was virtually unknown at the beginning of the season in Class A until his dominance got him promoted to AA where it continued. Holland uses a fastball that sits between 93-96 mph (touching 98 mph) and with his deception and movement it can be a devastating pitch. He throws a good supporting changeup and slider which sits around 80 mph. He repeats his motion very well and doesn’t tip off his off speed pitches which really keeps hitters off guard. Prior to 2008 the Rangers didn’t have much in their system for pitching. But now, seemingly out of nowhere, they have two future front-of-the-rotation starting pitchers.

5.) Taylor Teagarden
Position: Catcher | Statistics | Video | 2008 Rank: N/A
Bats: Right | Throws: Right | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 200
Scouting Report: The Rangers traded Gerald Laird this past offseason to give Jarrod Saltalamacchia a shot at being the full time catcher in 2009. But due to Salty’s offensive woes, it may be Teagarden who finishes the year off as the starter behind the dish for the Rangers. Teagarden has always impressed scouts with his defense and has shown the ability to handle a staff. Coming out of college the only question mark surrounding him was in regards to his hitting. Teagarden has shown a lot of improvement at the plate (including his power) making him more of a complete catcher and thus more attractive for the Rangers who have always been an offensively based organization.