By Alex Altman

When it comes to athletic tools, Jake Skoles feet are as sharp as they come.

They allowed him to become one of the best centerelders in the country at Atlantas Blessed Trinity High School, a rst-team all-state defensive back on the gridiron, and ultimately, the Texas Rangers rst selection, the 15th overall pick, in the 2010 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on June 7. So naturally, it was his feet that nearly took everything away. It was a bunt, said Skole, recalling the injury he suffered the third game of his senior

season. I was trying to beat it out, and when I got to the bag, I stepped on the rst basemans foot. Initially, Skole thought little of the pain shooting from his right ankle. Maybe, he thought, hed miss the rest of the weekend. But there was no way hed miss the rest of the season not with so much on the line, not with scouts traveling from across the country to see him. He was taken to the emergency room nonetheless, where an MRI would reveal the sobering news: He had badly bruised his ankle, and would miss the rest of the regular season.

It was disappointing, he said. Id already signed (to play football) at Georgia Tech, so I had that going for me, and I knew it wasnt a career-ending injury, but I thought it would affect me for the draft because I didnt think Id be able to return in time for any scouts to see me. Luckily, my team played really well and was able to make the playoffs, and I was able to get back and show some people how I play.

2010 RANGERS MAGAZINE 54

Rangers President Nolan Ryan has high hopes for the Rangers top two picks in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft, catcher Kellin Deglan (L) and outelder Jake Skole.

The left-handed hitter did just that, batting .452 with 6 home runs and 21 RBI in 14 postseason games, including a 2-for-3 performance against fellow pro prospect Kaleb Cowart, who was selected 18th overall by the Los Angeles Angels. Rangers GM Jon Daniels said Skoles postseason exhibition only reinforced what the club already knew he could do. Our guys have been in the home, know the player, know the family, said Daniels, adding Skoles ankle is now 100 percent. I dont think we necessarily would have been able to have him had he not missed a little bit of time this spring. The Rangers used their other rst round choice, 22nd overall, on catcher Kellin Deglan out of R.E. Mountain Secondary School in British Columbia. Deglan, a rarity as a left-handed hitting catcher, played in the British Columbia Premier League and Canadas junior national team. He said the stresses of playing in those environments should ease his transition to professional ball. It was a really good experience, Deglan said. We played against the USA and Cuban

National teams, and every game was real intense whether it was close or a blowout. It was really good to be put in those pressure situations so were prepared to play in front of those types of crowds in the pros. Deglan, who some have billed Canadas best catching prospect ever, hopes conversations hes had with another Canadian slugger will help him meet expectations. I talked to Justin and stayed with him in January, said Deglan, referring to Minnesota Twins all-star Justin Morneau. Hes a real relaxed, easy-going guy. He doesnt put too much pressure on himself, and I got that vibe off him to just go about your business, work hard, relax and do what you can do. If he can do that, Rangers Director of Amateur Scouting Kip Fagg said Deglan should be around for a very long time. Were very excited to have Kellin with us, Fagg said. I think hes going to be a mainstay behind the plate for years to come for the Rangers family.

Both Skole and Deglan signed with Texas on June 9 and are beginning their professional careers with the Arizona Rangers. Texas also had a pair of selections in the compensation round, drafting RHP Luke Jackson (45th) and 3B Mike Olt (49th). Jackson went 8-0 with a .90 ERA and 87 strikeouts his senior year at Calvary Christian High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; while Olt batted .318 with 23 home runs and 76 RBI his junior year at the University of Connecticut. Olt won the Big East home run derby, and was also ranked the third-best overall college defender by Baseball America. Overall, the Rangers took a total of 53 players in the 2010 draft, including four of the rst overall 49 selections. The team selected 28 college and 25 high school players. Of the 53 selections, 30 were pitchers (24 right-handed, 6 left-handed). The other 23 draftees were position players: 12 outelders, 6 inelders, and 5 catchers. Texas chose six players from the State of Texas, including three from Arlington.

Rangers draftees Mike Olt (L) and Kellin Deglan (C&R)

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2010 RANGERS MAGAZINE

returned to the Rangers as a much different pitcher than in 2002. He RANGERS SELECTIONS IN THELewis 2010 FIRST-YEAR PLAYER DRAFT ranked among the A.L. strikeout leaders over the rst two months of 2010.
RD. 1 1 1a 1a 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 NAME Jake Skole Kellin Deglan Luke Jackson Mike Olt Cody Buckel Jordan Akins Drew Robinson Justin Grimm Brett Nicholas Jimmy Reyes Jonathan Roof Zackary Osborne Jared Hoying Christopher Hanna Joshua Richmond Andrew Clark Nick Tepesch Ryan Rodebaugh Ryan Strausborger Anthony Haase Garrett Buechele Brett Weibley Sam Wilson Joseph Van Meter Benjamin Rowen Andres Perez-Lobo Jacob Cole Kendall Radcliffe Chase Johnson Alexander Claudio John Kukuruda Trae Davis Brian Ragira Justin Earls Steven McKinnon Matthew Hill Kevin Rodland John Lieske Jason Kudlock John Pustay Carson Vitale Ryan Woolley Travis Meiners Colby Killian Kevin Johnson Christopher Roglen Shawn Stuart Johnathon Moore Daryl Norris Daniel Ward Forrest Koumas Juan Gomes Trevor Teykl POS. CF C RHP 3B RHP OF SS RHP C LHP SS RHP OF LHP OF 1B RHP RHP OF RHP 3B RHP OF RHP RHP RHP RHP OF RHP LHP RHP RHP OF LHP RHP LHP SS RHP OF OF C RHP OF RHP LHP OF RHP C RHP RHP RHP C RHP B/T L/R L/R R/R R/R R/R R/R L/R R/R L/R L/L R/R R/R L/R R/L R/R L/L R/R L/R R/R L/R R/R R/R L/L R/R R/R R/R R/R L/R R/R L/L R/R R/R R/R R/L R/R R/L R/R R/R R/R L/R R/R R/R R/R R/R L/L R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R HT. 6-1 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-0 6-3 6-1 6-4 6-2 5-10 6-1 6-5 6-3 6-1 6-3 6-3 6-5 6-0 6-0 6-4 6-0 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-3 5-11 6-4 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-4 5-11 6-2 6-2 6-4 6-1 6-0 6-2 6-3 5-11 6-1 6-1 6-0 5-11 6-5 6-4 6-2 6-0 6-1 6-4 6-0 6-2 6-7 WT. 200 200 190 215 170 192 185 195 210 195 175 200 190 180 205 230 225 165 180 205 197 225 200 195 190 184 235 185 185 160 180 190 185 190 220 180 190 180 200 180 195 190 205 190 215 200 205 220 210 215 200 180 215 DOB 01/07/92 06/03/92 08/24/91 08/27/88 06/18/92 04/19/92 04/20/92 08/16/88 07/18/88 03/07/89 01/23/89 05/09/88 05/18/89 03/07/92 06/14/89 08/12/87 10/12/88 03/30/89 03/04/88 03/01/90 10/23/89 01/03/89 07/30/91 10/18/88 11/15/88 03/03/92 09/11/91 10/17/92 01/09/92 01/31/92 06/09/92 05/19/92 01/22/92 12/04/87 04/17/92 02/05/89 09/13/87 09/30/91 09/16/87 05/09/92 08/25/88 02/11/88 06/07/88 06/05/88 12/03/87 12/04/91 12/26/88 03/24/88 06/12/91 11/18/91 07/21/92 12/25/91 10/16/91 SCHOOL Blessed Trinity R.E. Mountain SS Calvary Christian Academy U. of Connecticut Royal (CA) HS Union Grove (CA) HS Silverado (NV) HS U. of Georgia U. of Missouri Elon University Michigan State U. U. Louisiana-Lafayette U. of Toledo Stratford (SC) HS U. of Louisville U. of Louisville U. of Missouri Kennesaw State Indiana St. U. Cochise (NM) College Oklahoma U. Kent State U. Eldorado (NM) HS Virginia Commonwealth U. Virginia Tech U. Christopher Columbus (FL) HS Sahuaro (AZ) HS Morgan Park (IL) HS Fallbrook (CA) HS Isabel Flores (PR) HS East Nicolaus (CA) HS Mexia (TX) HS Arlington Martin (TX) HS U. of Georgia Cowichan SS HS Georgia Perimeter College U. Nevada Reno Harlem (IL) HS Cal St. Bakerseld Pine Creek (CO) HS Creighton U. Alabama-Birmingham Dallas Baptist U. Emporia St. U. U. Cincinnati Rocky Mountain (CO) HS Merced College Houston Baptist U. Fairhope (AL) HS Gareld Heights (OH) HS Lugoff-Elgin (SC) HS Miami Southridge St (FL) HS Kempner (TX) HS HOMETOWN Roswell, GA Langley, B.C. Ft. Lauderdale, FL Branford, CT Simi Valley, CA Locust Grove, CA Las Vegas, NV Bristol, VA Phoenix, AZ Miami, FL Paducah, KY Houston, TX Fort Loramie, OH Ladson, SC Cincinnati, OH New Palestine, IN Blue Springs, MO Marietta, GA Osceola, IN Albuquerque, NM Arlington, TX Duncansville, PA Albuquerque, NM Oyster Bay, NY Ranchos Palos Verdes, CA Miami, FL Tucson, AZ Chicago, IL Fallbrook, CA Juntos, PR Roseville, CA Mexia, TX Arlington, TX Lawrenceville, GA Duncan, BC Lawrenceville, GA Snohomish, WA Machesney Park, IL Chandler, AZ Colorado Springs, CO Victoria, British Columbia Montclair, VA Eyota, MN McMinnville, TN Willard, OH Colorado Springs, CO Turlock, CA Arlington, TX Fairhope, AL Gareld Heights, OH Lugoff, SC Miami, FL Sugarland, TX SCOUT Coe McGraw Alvarez Heafner Guggiana Coe Guggiana Coe Smith Kemp Coryell Taylor Coryell Kemp Lee Lee Smith Coe Lee Pratt Eddings Coryell Pratt Matsko Matsko Alvarez Pratt Lee Flores Thon Metzger Eddings Eddings Coe McGraw Coe Metzger Lee Guggiana Pratt Smith Wood McAbee Smith Coryell Pratt Metzger Fagg Wood Coryell Kemp Alvarez Taylor

2010 RANGERS MAGAZINE 56

5 | Justin Grimm

12 | Josh Richmond

13 | Andrew Clark