USA – With three weeks remaining before the Texas Rangers open spring training (February 15) in Surprise, Arizona the Arlington-based franchise finally seem headed in the right direction. The Rangers farm system is led by a bountiful crop of pitching prospects which was recently ranked No. 1 by Baseball America.

Below are the Rangers talent-laden group of young hurlers, which includes six former first- or supplemental-round Draft picks, and the highest level they pitched last season.

CLASS A

Blake Beavan (RHP)
The 20-year-old native Texan and former first-round pick posted a 10-6 record and a 2.37 ERA.

Kasey Kiker (LHP)
Another former first-round selection, the 21-year-old southpaw was 5-5 with 4.73 ERA last year.

Michael Main (RHP)
Yet another former No. 1 draft choice, the 20-year-old who went 3-3 while compiling a 2.76 ERA.

Tim Murphy (LHP)
21-year-old is a former first-rounder who ended last season with a 4-1 card and an impressive 2.83 ERA.

Omar Poveda (RHP)
This 21-year-old had a 4-4 record and a 4.47 ERA a year ago and will attend his first big league camp in 2009.

DOUBLE-A

John Bannister (RHP)
25-year-old will make his big league camp debut in February after compiling a 5-6 mark with a 4.36 ERA in 2008.

Thomas Diamond (RHP)
25-year-old was the No. 1 pick in 2004 and sported a 3-3 record with 6.20 ERA after returning from Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery.

Neftali Feliz (RHP)
One of the top pitching prospects in MLB, the 20-year-old right-hander has a natural, smooth delivery which allows him to reaches triple digits on the radar. The 6-foot-3, 180 pounder went 10-6 in 2008 with a 2.69 ERA and 153 strikeouts in 127 1/3 innings to earn a ticket to his first big league camp this spring..

Derek Holland (LHP)
22-year-old turned in a spectacular performance last year going 13-1 with a 2.27 ERA to earn an invite to the big league camp for the first time.

Andrew Laughter (RHP)
23-year-old reliever is a former first-round pick who posted a 3-3 record with a 3.52 ERA last year.

Guillermo Moscoso (RHP)
Acquired this offseason, the 25-year-old finished last season with a 5-4 mark and a 2.70 ERA.

TRIPLE-A

Michael Ballard (LHP)
24-year-old former first-round selection sported a 11-6 card with a 4.81 ERA against top competition.

MAJOR LEAGUE

Matt Harrison (LHP)
23-year-old got a taste of the big leagues and won nine games for the Rangers last year while going a combined 15-6 with a 4.46 ERA.

Tommy Hunter (RHP)
22-year-old went 13-10 in 2008 with a 4.23 ERA while making three starts for the big league club.

Eric Hurley (RHP)
23-year-old was hit by the injury bug last year but posted a 4-7 record and a 4.98 ERA.

Warner Madrigal (RHP)
24-year-old spent a half-season in the Rangers bullpen and finished 2008 with a 1-2 card and a 3.87 ERA.

Doug Mathis (RHP)
25-year-old went 7-2 with a 4.38 ERA in 2008.

Luis Mendoza (RHP)
Another 25-year-old who was 5-11 with a 7.40 ERA last year.

Tags: American League