SURPRISE, Ariz. — In late January, after the Texas Rangers swung a deal that sent significant prospect capital east in order to improve the major league roster, general manager Ross Fenstermaker rationalized the club’s moves as “the price we pay in order to compete.”
Oh, yeah, they’ve paid a price.
The Rangers have dealt eight top 30 prospects, per MLB Pipeline’s evaluations, since last summer’s trade deadline. They shipped three to the Arizona Diamondbacks for right-handed pitcher Merrill Kelly to bolster their rotation midseason and another five to the Washington Nationals for MacKenzie Gore last month to do the same thing.
That’s the cost of big league improvement. It’ll also ding the depth of a farm system. The Rangers have the No. 22 farm system per ESPN, the No. 24 farm system per Baseball America and the No. 25 farm system per USA TODAY.
Rangers
The success of the farm system, much like the major league roster, will be predicated on how a number of position player prospects respond to down seasons. Baseball America, which hasn’t ranked the club’s system this low since the 2021 season, said it “needs major rebounds from its near-proximity prospects to supplement the big league roster.”
Their collective progression will determine where the farm stands this time next year. Until then, we continue our daily countdown of The Dallas Morning News’ top 30 prospects.
No. 25 OF Maxton Martin
Age: 20
Height/weight: 6-0, 205
B/T: L/R
Who he is: The Rangers selected Martin in the 11th round (321st overall) of the 2023 MLB draft out of Southridge (Wash.) and gave him an over-slot $250,000 bonus to back off of his commitment to Oregon. His brother, Mason, was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates nine years ago and hit 127 home runs in the minor leagues.
Texas Rangers minor league outfielder Max Martin participates in a fielding drill during of a spring training workout at the team’s training facility on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in Surprise, Ariz.
Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer
Why he’s here: Martin’s power is real, as evidenced by the 48 extra base hits he recorded in 116 games last season, and it helped him post a .792 OPS split between Low-A Hickory and High-A Hub City. Or, as Baseball America put it, “his raw juice is among the best in the system.” He only played 14 games at High-A Hub City last season but slashed .256/.385/.488 for an .873 OPS after the promotion. Martin lowered his strikeout rate last season, and if he can improve his contact rate, he can better harness the full capability of his strength. His 15.6% swinging strike percentage at Hickory last season was the 13th-highest of all qualified hitters in the Carolina League.
What’s his future: He’ll need to refine his outfield play, specifically his arm strength and defense which Baseball America projects to be below-average, to become a more well-rounded player. Martin is a corner outfielder by trade but played some first base last season. If his defense does not improve — or if he were to transition to first base full-time at any point — he’ll need to hit in order to remain a viable prospect.
Where will he start; MLB ETA: High-A Hub City; 2028
Rangers’ top 30 prospects
No. 30: RHP Mason McConnaughey
No. 29: OF Braylin Morel
No. 28: RHP Frandel Pineda
No. 27: LHP Josh Trentadue
No. 26: RHP Paul Bonzagni
No. 25: OF Maxton Martin
Nos. 26-1: Coming soon…