The Texas Rangers appear to have their eyes set on one of the most electrifying young prospects in the upcoming MLB Draft — Steele Hall, a prep shortstop from Hewitt-Trussville High School in Alabama, who’s drawing attention as a potential top-15 selection. In ESPN’s most recent 2025 mock draft, Hall is projected to land with the Rangers at No. 12 overall, a move that has scouts buzzing and fans raising eyebrows about how he would fit into an already-crowded infield picture.
Steele Hall is no ordinary high schooler. At just 17 years old — he reclassified from the 2026 graduating class — Hall possesses a tantalizing mix of athleticism and baseball IQ that has scouts calling him one of the youngest and most explosive players in the draft. A plus-plus runner with natural lift in his swing, Hall has the makings of a dynamic leadoff hitter with sneaky power potential. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel, who ranked Hall as the No. 11 overall prospect, describes him as “a tools-heavy player with elite projection potential.”
The Rangers, fresh off their 2023 World Series title and currently battling injuries in 2025, are looking to strengthen their pipeline for the long haul. But Hall’s selection raises an important question: where would he fit? Texas already has All-Star shortstop Corey Seager under a 10-year deal through 2032, and their No. 1 prospect, Sebastian Walcott, is quickly climbing the ranks at Double-A Frisco with expectations of a Triple-A promotion by season’s end.
“Hall is a future star, no doubt,” said a rival scout. “But the Rangers are going to have to figure out if he’s their shortstop of the future or if he becomes the next elite middle infielder who transitions to another position — like Josh Smith did.”
Indeed, the Rangers have a reputation for converting middle infielders into utility threats. Smith, originally a shortstop, now plays across the diamond, and that path may await Hall too, depending on how quickly he develops. With Texas showing no urgency to rush him through the system, Hall could spend the next 3–4 years seasoning in the minors, giving the front office time to evaluate long-term roster structure.
Still, the allure of Steele Hall’s upside might be too good to pass up. In a draft class deep in college arms and high-floor bats, the Rangers are betting on elite tools — and if Hall pans out, Texas might just be locking in their next franchise cornerstone.
The 2025 MLB Draft kicks off on July 13th during All-Star Weekend in Atlanta, and all eyes will be on whether the Rangers take the swing on Hall — and how it reshapes their future.
