Texas Rangers top prospect Sebastian Walcott could miss 2026 season

The Texas Rangers will need to wait for shortstop prospect Sebastian Walcott to make an impact at the major league level.

Kennedi Landry from MLB.com reported that Walcott had internal brace surgery on his right elbow. He is expected to be sidelined for five to six months before he will be able to begin hitting again.

Walcott first had issues with his elbow during a brief stint in the Arizona Fall League. Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reported that Walcott had rehabbed his elbow during the offseason and felt fine entering spring training. However, as he began to throw, his elbow soreness returned.

Losing Sebastian Walcott could hurt Texas Rangers in 2026

A consensus top-20 prospect, Walcott had an impressive showing at Double-A in his age-19 season. He posted a .255/.355/.386 batting line in his 552 plate appearances, hitting 13 homers and 19 doubles while stealing 32 bases. Walcott was not overmatched despite the step up in competition, drawing 70 walks while striking out only 108 times.

Although Walcott was likely to begin 2026 at Triple-A, it was probable that he could join the Rangers at some point during the season. Second and third base are potentially unsettled, leaving a path open for Walcott as Corey Seager is entrenched at short. Had the Rangers struggled to get production from those positions, Walcott could have been a difference-maker.

If Walcott's recovery is closer to the five-month mark, he could get some game action late in the season. Likewise, a return to the Arizona Fall League is not out of the question. Chances are, none of those plate appearances will come for the Rangers this year.