The deadline to protect MLB players from the Rule Five draft has come and gone and the Texas Rangers were busy making moves.

Texas added pitching prospect duo Emiliano Teodo (TEX #6) and Winston Santos (TEX #8), and infield prospect Max Acosta to their 40-man roster.

With the return of RHP Carson Coleman to the New York Yankees, the Rangers’ 40-man roster sits now at 39.

Despite three of the Rangers’ top prospects being protected, several solid prospects were left off the 40-man.

Let’s take a look at some of the notable Rangers farmhands who are now available for the rest of Major League Baseball.

Names that could be of real interest to other MLB Teams

There are two names to watch for who could seriously be considered by any of the 29 other MLB teams at this Winter’s Rule Five draft in Dallas.

First of which is reliever Josh Stephan.

It’s of note that since teams who select players in the Rule Five Draft have to carry said player on their Major League roster the entire season, pitchers are usually hot names every winter.

Somewhat surprisingly, Stephan was left unprotected by the Rangers despite coming off a dominant Arizona Fall League.

2024 wasn’t an amazing year by any means for Stephan who pitched to the tune of a 4.94 ERA in Frisco but his stuff looked significantly better in Arizona.

For a team that needs pitching help as desperately as the Rangers do, it’s certainly interesting that Stephen could be walking out the door.

Another pitcher who could generate some real interest is Bryan Magdaleno.

Magdaleno through 42.2 innings across three levels last season and tallied a 1.27 ERA with 68 strikeouts.

Having a guy with only four AA games jump all the way to the big leagues for a whole season could be a lot but Magdaleno certainly is showing signs of having great stuff.

Players who the average Ranger fan would know but might not be selected

There are several players who were left unprotected by the Rangers that most fans would say they know.

However, a Rule Five draft pick is a huge commitment for teams especially ones that are trying to contend.

For what reason, these guys may not be protected even though they are common names for Ranger fans.

1B Abi Ortiz
1B Blaine Crim
OF Aaron Zavala
RHP Ryan Garcia

If there is one name on the list who you would want to watch for it would be Blanie Crim. After hitting .277 with 20 Home Runs and 86 RBI at AAA Round Rock last season, he is someone who could certainly get a look.

If the Rangers do end up being able to hold onto him, don’t be surprised if he finds his way to Arlington at some point this season.

As for the others, there really isn’t enough there to say that they might be getting a look from any other team.

For the Rangers, however, they still hope these prospects can be impact guys at the big league level.