MLB rumors: 5 prospects who can help Rangers in 2019

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MESA, ARIZONA – MARCH 05: Eli White #80 of the Texas Rangers in action during the spring training game against the Oakland Athletics at HoHoKam Stadium on March 05, 2019 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

4. Eli White, INF

Eli White was the main key in the Jurickson Profar trade with the Athletics this offseason after finishing 2018 in Double-A with a 132 wRC+. The 24-year-old shortstop’s ability to play all over the diamond was something that intrigued most teams and convinced the A’s to draft him in 2016 out of Clemson. His offense was always secondary to his versatility, profiling as an excellent utility player to come off the bench or spot start every few days.

But after his breakout 2018 season that saw White truly start to drive the ball, slashing .306/.388/.450 with nine home runs, the super-utility man is drawing comparisons to the Dodgers’ Chris Taylor. However, White has struggled early in 2019 with Triple-A Nashville, with 14 strikeouts and a .669 OPS in 15 games so far. But he’s still walking in close to 12 percent of at-bats, which shows he’s still going to the plate with the right approach. Expect White to figure things out with his bat and find his way to Arlington sometime in 2019.

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