How Iowa's Jim Sundberg Became a Texas Rangers Draft Legend
As the Texas Rangers prepare for the upcoming MLB draft, the franchise's history offers a reminder that greatness can come from any round. An Iowa baseball legend sits at the very top of that history. Jim Sundberg, who chose to return to Iowa for another year before signing, became one of the most impactful players to ever wear a Rangers uniform. Looking back at the five best draft picks in Rangers history reveals how smart scouting and player development built a franchise capable of winning it all.
What makes a great MLB draft pick?
Putting together a Major League draft class is a thankless task. Only a select few baseball executives get to do it every year. This July, the task falls to Texas Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young, his general manager Ross Fenstermaker, and their staff. They will look to build the best possible draft class when the league convenes in Philadelphia on July 11 and 12 for this year's MLB draft.
The best draft picks are not just about statistics. They are measured by the quality of the player, the trajectory of their career, and their overall impact on the franchise. It does not matter if they finished their career with the Rangers or moved on to other teams. Here are the five best draft picks in Texas Rangers history, listed in chronological order.