Josh Smith played for four teams in 2021, including the Hickory Crawdads shortly after the Rangers acquired him in the Joey Gallo trade (Hickory Crawdads/Ashley Salinas).

Moving over to the Texas Rangers Baseball Newsletter (TRBN) in 2021 was a big change for me. After three years covering the Rangers for another media outlet I made the jump to join Jeff Wilson and T.R. Sullivan.

Along with co-hosting the Texas Rangers Baseball Podcast (TRBP) I am still doing some writing. One of my favorite things I wanted to bring over to TRBN was my annual top 20 prospect countdown.

As a reminder, no prospect can have any major-league service time. There are a lot of names you know that do not make the list for that reason, like catcher Sam Huff.

I started this list in 2019 with the same criteria. Of the No. 1 prospects each season, only one has yet to make his major-league debut. There are a total of 12 from the lists who have made their major league debut. Taylor Hearn has the longest tenure of those.

2019, RHP Hans Crouse: Made his MLB debut in 2021 with the Phillies after being traded there in the Spenser Howard deal.

2020, C Sam Huff: Made his MLB after an injury to Jose Trevino in the 2020 COVID-shortened season.

2021, 3B Josh Jung: Ended 2021 at Triple A Round Rock after a foot injury delayed his progress.

Jeff Wilson's Texas Rangers Newsletter

Friday on the Farm: The Recliner Nerd's top…

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