Iowa Native Jim Sundberg Leads Best Texas Rangers Draft Picks
The Texas Rangers have built a legacy of smart drafting, and an Iowa native stands out as one of the franchise's all-time best selections. As the Rangers prepare for the upcoming MLB draft, looking back at their greatest picks reveals a tradition of hard work, incredible value, and smart business decisions that built championship teams.
Who is the greatest MLB draft pick in Texas Rangers history?
Jim Sundberg, known affectionately as Sunny, represents the gold standard for Rangers draft picks. What many Iowa fans will remember is that Sundberg actually opted to return to the University of Iowa for another year instead of signing right away. The Rangers drafted him in the eighth round in 1972, but after his return to Iowa, they selected him again in the first round of the 1973 secondary phase.
Sundberg reached the Majors after just one minor league season and finished fourth in the 1974 AL Rookie of the Year voting. He became the franchise cornerstone, winning six AL Gold Gloves from 1976 to 1981. In 12 years with Texas, he slashed .252/.330/.345 with 60 home runs and 480 RBI. He later helped the Kansas City Royals win a World Series and remained a respected voice in baseball for decades.
Which late-round draft picks brought the most value to the Rangers?
Finding superstar talent in the late rounds is the ultimate display of scouting efficiency, and the Rangers have done it well.
- Kenny Rogers (39th round, 1982): Nicknamed The Gambler, Rogers might be the greatest draft value in Rangers history. He signed for a mere $1,000 bonus out of Plant City High School in Florida. He pitched 20 seasons in the Majors, played for the Rangers three separate times, and threw the franchise's only perfect game in 1994. He finished his career with a 219-156 record and a 4.27 ERA.
- Ian Kinsler (17th round, 2003): Kinsler was drafted three times but chose to bet on himself and go to college the first two times. The Rangers snagged him on the third try, and he became a cornerstone of their back-to-back World Series teams. He is one of only four players in baseball history to hit for the cycle and go 6-for-6 in a single game.
How did the Rangers build World Series contenders through the draft?
Drafting well is about more than just keeping players; it is about acquiring assets that can fuel a franchise. The Rangers mastered this with two first-round picks who eventually brought massive returns.
Kevin Brown was drafted No. 4 overall out of Georgia Tech in 1986. He posted a 78-64 record with a 3.81 ERA in his first eight seasons with Texas. When he left in free agency, he went on to have a stellar career, finishing with 2,397 strikeouts and a 3.28 ERA.
Mark Teixeira, another Georgia Tech product, was selected No. 5 overall in 2001. He was an immediate impact player, slashing .283/.368/.533 with 153 home runs and 499 RBI in five seasons. When the Rangers could not agree to a $140 million extension, they made a brilliant business move. They traded him to the Atlanta Braves in 2007 for a haul that included Elvis Andrus, Neftali Feliz, and Matt Harrison. Those players directly fueled the Rangers' World Series runs in 2010 and 2011.
Did Jim Sundberg win a World Series?
Yes. After leaving the Rangers in a four-team trade in 1984, Jim Sundberg joined the Kansas City Royals in 1985 and helped them win their first World Series championship.
What is the Texas Rangers' only perfect game?
Kenny Rogers threw the only perfect game in Texas Rangers history on June 28, 1994.
Who did the Rangers trade Mark Teixeira for?
The Rangers traded Mark Teixeira to the Atlanta Braves in 2007 for Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Elvis Andrus, Matt Harrison, Neftali Feliz, and Beau Jones. Andrus, Harrison, and Feliz played crucial roles in the Rangers' World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011.