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Rangers Predicted to Make Shortstop Move After Corey Seager News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris M. Licata | Last updated May 29, 2025 12:09 PM ET

Losers of three consecutive series, the Texas Rangers (27-30) shared some welcome news Wednesday by activating All-Star shortstop Corey Seager from the injured list following a right hamstring strain.

The 31-year-old went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in his return as Texas was shut out 2-0 by the Toronto Blue Jays. Still, Seager remains a key cog in the middle of the Rangers' order and is less than two years removed from a MVP runner-up finish and earning World Series MVP honors.

However, after playing 151 games in his first season in Texas in 2022, he has missed 110 games since the beginning of the 2023 season, though he has still slugged 30-plus home runs in every season with the Rangers. He has also failed to play more than 125 regular-season games in six of his first 10 seasons.

In his latest 2025 MLB mock draft on Wednesday, ESPN's Kiley McDaniel projected an intriguing future shortstop move that should be on Rangers fans' radar.

Especially considering how Seager's 10-year, $325 million contract, which runs through 2031, could look and impact the team's flexibility should his body not be able to hold up for 100-plus games consistently.

With the No. 12 overall pick in the first round of July's draft, McDaniel projected Hewitt-Trussville (Alabama) high school shortstop Steele Hall to the Rangers.

"The Rangers will take any player demographic but tend to lean toward tools/upside at premium picks. Hall is one of the youngest players in the draft and is a plus-plus runner with the feel to pull/lift the ball in games," McDaniel wrote.

Texas also has top prospect Sebastian Walcott, 19, quickly rising through its system, though MLB Pipeline suggests he may outgrow shortstop and would "profile well at third base or right field."

Hall, ESPN's No. 11 overall draft prospect, was the fifth shortstop off the board in McDaniel's scenario. The Athletic's Keith Law has the 5-foot-11, 175-pounder ranked No. 33 overall on his board, however.

According to MaxPreps, the speedy 18-year-old batted .484 with eight home runs, 45 RBI, 46 runs scored and 33 stolen bases in 37 games last season. He has committed to the University of Tennessee.

The 2025 MLB draft begins on Sunday, July 13 in Atlanta, two days before the MLB All-Star Game.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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