The Texas Rangers are loaded in the outfield so they should look to move Cruz for some much needed pitching. The 27-year old righty swinging outfielder has played in 59 games in AAA ball this season and he is 71 for 214 (.332 avg, 1.131 OPS) with 53 runs scored, 20 homers, 51 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. The Rangers should at least be able to get some bullpen help from a team like the Padres, Indians or Royals seeing how none of them can hit.

19-year old shortstop Elvis Andrus is the #1 rated prospect according to Baseball America’s Prospect Handbook. They got him in the Mark Teixiera to the Braves last season. He has played in 29 games in AA-ball so far this season and he is 33 for 125 (.264 avg, .617 OPS) with 14 runs scored, 13 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. Andrus is blocked at the major league level by Michael Young so the Rangers will likely take it slow with him.

If the Rangers continue to part their team out in August it’s possible that Freddy Guzman will get a chance to show what he can do in the major leagues.  Guzman is a 26 year old switch hitting outfielder who is currently playing in AAA ball.  Guzman has played in 104 games in AAA this season and he is 107 for 415 (.258 avg, .688 OPS) with 70 runs scored, 4 homers, 28 RBIs and 41 stolen bases.  Guzman is a natural center fielder who doesn’t have the bat for a corner position.

The Rangers have signed Mark Redman to a minor league contract and have sent him to AAA ball.  He pitched in 6 games for the Atlanta Braves this season (5 starts) and he was 0-4 with a 11.63 ERA and a 2.26 WHIP.  In 21.2 innings, he allowed 38 hits, 4 homers, walked 11 batters and whiffed 13.  Still, if Redman pitches good in the minors he will likely get a shot at the Rangers starting rotation at some point of the season.

21 year old righty Eric Hurley is the #2 rated prospect in the Rangers system according to Baseball America.  In 10 games (9 starts) in AA ball, Hurley is 6-0 with a 1.83 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP so far.  In 64 innings, he has allowed 47 hits and walked 16 batters while whiffing 51.  Look for the Rangers to put Hurley on the fast track due to needs on the big league team.