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Texas Rangers prospect Mike Olt is experiencing plenty of firsts since the conclusion of his second pro season. He played in the Arizona Fall League, was invited to major league spring training and was told he will see time at first base. Here’s another first for the third baseman: He is in his first season at the Double-A level.

PODCAST
Rangers corner infield prospect Mike Olt talks about his first season at the Double-A level and how he fits in the organization. Listen

“Double-A is definitely a big jump from High-A. I guess my first impression is there’s definitely a lot of work I have to do in order to continue to climb the latter,” Olt said. “You’ve got step up your game mentally and try to figure out what they like to throw in certain situations.”

Olt was a guest on Rangers Magazine (ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM). The third-year pro out of the University of Connecticut was the Rangers' first-round pick (49th overall) in the 2010 June draft. Through 29 games, he is batting .287 with seven home runs and 19 RBIs. His on-base percentage is .394, and he has a .959 OPS.

Ahead of Olt in the organization is Adrian Beltre, who is locked into a long-term contract and is a Gold Glove third baseman. Versatility is important, whether it is the majors or minors. We have seen it with Michael Young and his super-utility role as well as the Rangers outfielders playing multiple spots instead of being planted in one position. In the minors, we see it with shortstop Jurickson Profar seeing time at second base and with Olt occasionally moving across the diamond to first base.

“I was excited,” Olt recalled of when the Rangers told him he would see time at first base. “Obviously, we have Mitch Moreland up at first base right now who is also a very good first baseman. So, basically I kind of took it as they are trying to make me more versatile in case something were to happen. I’m up for the challenge, and certainly first base is coming along.”

Olt also talked about Steve Buechele, spring training fun, being a teammate with Profar, and the AFL experience. Listen to the podcast.

Bryan Dolgin is the host of Rangers Magazine and the radio pre and postgame shows of the Texas Rangers on the Texas Rangers ESPN Radio Network. Follow him on Twitter @RangersRadioBD.

Last night for the Frisco RoughRiders, the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, 23-year-old right-handed starting pitcher Justin Grimm earned another win. He is 6-1 with a 1.60 ERA on the season. In defeating the Midland Rockhounds, Grimm pitched six innings, giving up one run on three hits, walking one and striking out five. He’s one of a bunch of names you should know about that are not far from Arlington.

PODCAST
Frisco RoughRiders pitching coach Jeff Andrews talks about the Rangers' Double-A mound prospects. Listen

“When you kind of look at the body of work for Justin, it’s been a monumental change in his delivery. He’s made great adjustments,” Frisco pitching coach Jeff Andrews said of Grimm, who won a total of seven games at two levels last year. “The guys in [High-A] Myrtle Beach and [Low-A] Hickory have done marvelous things with allowing him to get straightened out and setting him on the path.”

Andrews was a guest on Rangers Magazine (ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM). Not only did he talk about Grimm, but we also discussed 6-0 Barret Loux and Fabio Castillo, who has been invited to major league spring training twice, and we closed the individual conversation with Yohan Yan, who has eight saves.

One aspect of pitching that you always hear about with those at the major league level is the added confidence they have on the mound because of the fielding strength behind them. At Frisco, the pitchers have yet to consistently realize that third baseman Mike Olt and shortstop Jurickson Profar are among the strong defenders behind them.

“You know that’s one of the things that these guys come in and kind of get mad at themselves and they’re going, ‘Why don’t I trust these guys out there?'" Andrews said.

Andrews pointed out the speed in the outfield and infield strength on the right side, too.

“It is a very good defense," he said. "It really is. These guys are learning to trust that fact and not be so afraid of contact.”

Be sure to listen to the podcast.

Bryan Dolgin is the host of Rangers Magazine and the radio pre and postgame shows of the Texas Rangers on the Texas Rangers ESPN Radio Network. Follow him on Twitter @RangersRadioBD.

It’s always a pleasure to catch up with the manager of the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders and former Texas Rangers third baseman Steve Buechele. He was a guest on Rangers Magazine this past Sunday on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM. As you can imagine, RoughRiders third baseman Mike Olt was a primary focus of our conversation.

PODCAST
Double-A Frisco manager Steve Buechele joins Rangers Magazine to talk about Mike Olt and other Rangers prospects. Listen

“Number one, he’s a great kid. Number two, he’s super talented. You know, I think everyone talks about his power potential, which is a given. They’ve got him listed as a plus defender, which I think he will be. He’s got some way to go defensively and things to learn. That’s why he’s here,” Buechele said. “The good thing about him is that he’s willing to learn, and he’s not afraid to work. He’s going to be a good one. There’s no question about it.”

Of course, it makes sense that Buechele is assisting in the development of a third baseman. He played more 1,200 major league games at third base from 1985-1995 and most of those years with the Rangers. Buechele was a solid defender, but he also knows how to develop the baseball mind from his own experiences.

When you think about Olt, you also have to think about who is at third base for the Rangers. It’s Adrian Beltre, and he is signed to a long-term contract. When Buechele was in the minors, Buddy Bell manned the hot corner for the Rangers.

“I think in this game, you never know what’s going to happen. Buddy was traded [to the Cincinnati Reds], and I got the call. You never know with injuries or trades. It’s just the way this game goes. I think sometimes it can be frustrating to a player, but sure enough when you are ready to make it to the big leagues and play in the big leagues, there will be a spot for you,” said Buechele, who was 23 years old when he received the call-up to the big leagues.

Odds are extremely against Beltre being traded, but Olt, who is 23, saw playing time at first base in spring training and will eventually play some first base with the RoughRiders. As we know from over the years, the Rangers have not been shy about trading quality minor leaguers to bolster the major league club. It will be interesting to follow the development of Olt.

Buechele also talked more about the versatility of position players, Jurickson Profar’s first taste of AA, how far Olt and Profar are from the big leagues, Brad Hawpe’s progress, Engel Beltre’s improvement, Joe Wieland’s MLB debut, Barrett Loux, Justin Grimm and Tim Murphy. Listen to the podcast.

Highly rated Rangers infield prospects Jurickson Profar and Mike Olt highlight the Opening Day roster of the 2012 Frisco RoughRiders.

Former Ranger Steve Buechele will try to lead the Class AA Riders to their third consecutive Texas League playoff berth.

Here are some notes from the release announcing the roster:

• Of the players currently listed on the Frisco roster, 12 have previously suited up in a Riders uniform. They are: Engel Beltre, Wilfredo Boscan, Jake Brigham, Fabio Castillo, Miguel De Los Santos, Jose Felix, Tim Murphy, Carlos Pimentel, Guilder Rodriguez, Tyler Tufts, Johan Yan and Corey Young.
• The 2012 RoughRiders hail from five different countries (United States, Dominican
  Republic, Venezuela, Curacao and Mexico) and 11 states (California, Connecticut,
  Florida, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and
  Washington).
• The average age of the roster is 23.5; the oldest player is OF Val Majewski (30) and the youngest is Profar (19).

When it comes to Josh Hamilton playing center field on a regular basis, Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels has maintained a consistent belief over the years that the bulk of Hamilton’s games should be played in left field in order to avoid the wear and tear on Hamilton’s body and get him through each season healthy. Has Daniels' stance on this topic softened?

PODCAST
Rangers general manger Jon Daniels talks about letting Josh Hamilton play center, Yu Darvish and more. Listen

“Yeah, it has,” Daniels said. “The bottom line is right now that’s our best team with him in center field. We want to get off to the best start we possibly can. My sense is that over the course of the year that other guys will work in there based on their own performances, but we do feel there’s a good chance that’s our best club. I know Wash hasn’t formally announced it yet, but you can tell by the lineups that he’s putting out there that’s getting strong consideration.”

Daniels said that Hamilton’s contract situation and the possibility of not re-signing with Texas has nothing to do with his change in mindset. Has the play of Julio Borbon and Craig Gentry this spring been disappointing to the point where it has factored into this decision process?

“We know what these guys are. I’m not big on riding the wave of spring training,” Daniels said. “We know what Julio is and what he can do. He’s a quality major league outfielder. Same with Craig. They both have strengths. They both have weaknesses. I don’t want to take anything away from Josh or David [Murphy], either. I mean, David’s had a really good spring. He’s improved his defense. He’s working on his approach against left-handers. Basically, we have some good options.”

Daniels was a guest on Rangers Magazine on Saturday morning on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM. He also discussed Yu Darvish, Robbie Ross, the bench, trade talk, Jurickson Profar and Mike Olt. Listen to the podcast.

Bryan Dolgin, the host of Rangers Baseball Tonight and Rangers Magazine, can be followed on Twitter: @RangersRadioBD.

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Texas Rangers made some roster moves Saturday and now have 40 players left in camp. The moves also dwindle some of the candidates for various spots. Here's a look:

* Leonys Martin was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock, leaving Craig Gentry and Julio Borbon to fight it out for the center field spot. This isn't a surprise as Martin was expected to start the season in the minors.

"He needs to play and the innings are getting to be few and far between now," manager Ron Washington said. "He's a young kid that needs to play baseball. He's a very impressive kid. He needs to play and continue to develop his skills."

Washington said Martin had a "100 percent turnaround" from where he was when he visited the club a few times last year to work with Washington, outfield coach Gary Pettis and others.

"He's improved every way -- baserunning, instincts, outfield, all of that," Washington said. "He just needs to play. He played half a year in Double-A and Triple-A and had some down time because of injuries. We're running out of time here as far as innings go."

* Greg Miclat, one of the candidates for the utility infield spot, was assigned to minor league camp. That means of the four players vying for that position, two are left: Alberto Gonzalez and Luis Hernandez. Look for them to get playing time in Cactus League games as the team sorts all of that out.

* Mike Olt has been impressive this spring with his defense at third base and consistent approach at the plate. He's now been assigned to minor league camp, where he'll continue to get time at first base as the Rangers try to make him more versatile. Washington said Olt will start the season at Double-A Frisco.

"He's a baseball player," Washington said. "He can play third base. He has good action and tremendous raw power, but he hasn't played a whole lot of baseball. He's a very solid defensive player and has impressed us with his bat."

* OF Engel Beltre was optioned to Double-A Frisco.

* C Chris Robinson and LHP Ben Snyder were also assigned to minor league camp.

Spring training minor league games begin this afternoon in Surprise, Arizona. While the Texas Rangers at the major league level will have very few new names, the Rangers' affiliates will see new names on their rosters due to the natural progression of development. The headliner among minor league position players is 19-year-old shortstop Jurickson Profar and where he will play after 115 games for Low-A Hickory in 2011.

PODCAST
Rangers director of minor league operations Jake Krug discusses Jurickson Profar's future with the team. Listen

“We kind of live by the motto 'challenge the gifted’ and Jurickson certainly fits in that category,” said Rangers director of minor league operations Jake Krug during a recent edition of Rangers Magazine on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM. “We keep it open-minded. Whether it’s Myrtle or Frisco, half in Myrtle … half in Frisco. It’s kind of up to Jurickson. He’s one of those guys. You really wouldn’t count anything out. Him playing in Double-A this year I know is a goal of his, and a goal of ours.”

As Profar continues his climb to Arlington, you are probably trying to figure out the major league roster when he is ready. Shortstop Elvis Andrus has three years (including 2012) left on his contract. At second base, Ian Kinsler has two years left on his deal, including a 2013 club option. Is a position change coming?

“I think there’s certainly talk of exposing him to second base in game situations,” Krug said of Profar.

This spring has seen the Rangers move a couple players around the diamond. Third baseman Mike Olt has played first base. Third baseman Tommy Mendonca is converting to catcher.

Soon the Rangers begin their quest for a third consecutive trip to the World Series, and five of the Rangers' top six minor league affiliates look to return to the playoffs. Even though the major league roster is loaded with talented players, development of minor leaguers will not slow down.

“The last thing we can do is sit back and just watch the major league team do their thing. We’ve got to get ready for the next wave,” Krug said. “Like [general manager Jon Daniels] says, you don’t want to regroup at any point, you want to reload when the time comes.”

Krug is an Arlington native who enters his 10th season working for the Rangers and his first in this role. Krug discussed the evolution of the Rangers the way he has experienced it. He talked more about Profar, the beginning of minor league camp, Mendonca as a catcher, starting pitcher depth that spills into Round Rock and Tim Purpura. Listen to the podcast.

Bryan Dolgin enters his third season as the Texas Rangers radio pre/postgame show host on the Texas Rangers ESPN Radio Network. Follow him on Twitter @RangersRadioBD.

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Rangers manager Ron Washington said there won't be any changes in the way he uses Michael Young this season.

Washington said he gained experience last season on how to handle the flexible veteran. Last year, Young started 39 games at third base, 36 at first base, 14 at second base and one at shortstop. He was the designated hitter for 69 games. Most of his time at third base occurred when Adrian Beltre went on the disabled list when Young filled in for 27 of the team's 29 games from July 31 to Aug. 31.

Young will still get his at-bats, but Washington will find ways to get Young out on the field. He doesn't want to limit Young to being just a DH.

"You never know what may happen in the season and we’re very fortunate to have a Michael Young that we can move around and do different types of things with," Washington said.

According to Elias Sports Bureau, Young is the only player in major league history to start at least 130 games in a season at second, shortstop and third. He started consecutive games in the field just once in the Rangers' first 41 games.

Other notes:

*With Mike Napoli out and Yorvit Torrealba off, catcher Luis Martinez started against the Cleveland Indians on Sunday.

Washington said it's a good chance for Martinez to continue showing what he can do at the plate. He hit safely in each of his first four Cactus League games. Martinez is 4-for-6 at the plate with two doubles, one RBI and two runs.

Washington said Martinez is just one of many good catchers general manager Jon Daniels has collected for the Rangers. He's also impressed by non-roster invitees Dusty Brown and Chris Robinson.

"You always want depth in every area," Washington said. "We certainly did a good job in putting some depth together in the receiving department."

*Washington thought Mike Olt had some good at-bats Saturday. He said Olt battled during every plate appearance and has some power. Olt went 2-for-3 against the Chicago White Sox.

He's still young, but Washington said Olt has the ability and "looks like a baseball player." Washington said the veterans have taken Olt under their wing and he's benefiting from it.

*Washington doesn't think the team will need to look elsewhere to find a utility player. He hasn't made a decision yet, but he said all of the utility players in camp are performing well.

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Neftali Feliz's focus this spring is his off-speed stuff. To be a successful starter, the 23-year-old can't rely on that very fast fastball.

PODCAST
Rangers skipper Ron Washington comments on Neftali Feliz's first Cactus League start, as well as his impressions of the rest of the pitching staff. He also explains why he needs Josh Hamilton to stay healthy. Listen

"What I wanted to do today was work on locating my off-speed stuff," Feliz said through an interpreter. "That's my goal."

The White Sox beat the Rangers, 6-3.

In his first Cactus League inning of the spring, Feliz's command wasn't there. He wasn't able to get his slider or changeup over for strikes consistently, and hitters waited on the fastball.

White Sox third baseman Brent Morel fell behind 0-2 after watching some fastballs, but then worked the count even before belting a single. Dayan Viciedo hit an off-speed pitch for a double before Adam Dunn crushed a 1-2 fastball (93 mph) over the right-center field wall to give Chicago a 3-0 lead. Feliz did bear down, elevating a fastball at 94 mph to get Tyler Flowers (after getting a swing and miss on a slider earlier in the at-bat) and then striking out Kosuke Fukudome with a slider (85) to end the inning.

But the second inning was a different story. Feliz came back to the mound and looked committed to throwing down in the zone. The command was there and he needed just eight pitches to get three outs (he needed 28 to get through the first).

"I got the ball down and it was better," Feliz said. "I wasn't worried about results."

He threw two sliders to Gordon Beckham that resulted in one swing and miss and a fly out to left field. Feliz started left-handed hitting Dan Johnson off with off-speed stuff before throwing some heat at 92 mph to get a ground ball to second. And Eduardo Escobar grounded out to second on the second pitch he saw, a 91 mph fastball.

Feliz isn't trying to dial up the fastball right now, a good sign. He's building up arm strength, but working on his command and the off-speed stuff. His changeup looked better in the intrasquad game (it was slower by a few mph then, too), but he continues to try to develop the off-speed stuff and will do so all spring.

"I know there's more in there when I need it," Feliz said.

Feliz figures he can throw the fastball 95 to 97 mph, but isn't doing that now because his focus remains the off-speed stuff.

Dunn dominates: Dunn had a homer off Feliz in the first and then a double off Michael Kirkman in the second. Both hits were on fastballs over the plate. Kirkman's was at 94 mph.

Last year, Dunn hit .159 and had 177 strikeouts. He was particularly ineffective against left-handed pitchers, hitting .064 (94 at-bats) with no homers and 39 strikeouts. In fact, he had just one extra-base hit against lefties in 2011.

Kirkman struggles: The left-hander, a candidate for a bullpen job this spring, gave up three runs on four hits in two innings, including a two-run homer by Beckham. Of the 11 batters Kirkman faced, five were left-handed hitters. They were 2-for-4 with a walk off him, including Dunn's double and a double by Fukudome.

Quick feet: Ian Kinsler went to cover the bag as Alejandro De Aza was on the move from first in the fourth. A ground ball was then hit toward where Kinsler had just vacated. The second baseman quickly scampered back to his left, scooped up the grounder and threw to first to end the fourth inning.

Red-hot SS: Elvis Andrus started his day with yet another hit and then added to it with a double in his final at-bat. He's having a ridiculous first week of spring training and is now 7-for-10 with two doubles and a triple.

Walk in the park: Chicago pitcher Gregory Infante walked three Ranger batters in the fourth before he was lifted. Josh Hamilton led off the inning with a walk and scored on Nelson Cruz's single. Mike Napoli and Mike Olt also walked.

Quick reaction: Olt got his glove up in a hurry to get to a liner hit by Beckham to end the fifth.

Utility infield: Luis Hernandez, one of the utility infield candidates, was 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored as he replaced Andrus late in the game.

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Here are the lineups for today's game with the Chicago White Sox. It includes a host of Ranger regulars, including Adrian Beltre at DH:

RANGERS
2B Ian Kinsler
SS Elvis Andrus
LF Josh Hamilton
DH Adrian Beltre
RF Nelson Cruz
C Mike Napoli
1B Mitch Moreland
3B Mike Olt
CF Craig Gentry

PITCHERS
RHP Neftali Feliz
LHP Michael Kirkman
LHP Neal Cotts
LHP Joe Beimel
RHP Yoshinori Tateyama
RHP Mark Lowe
RHP Joe Nathan

WHITE SOX
CF Alejandro De Aza
3B Brent Morel
LF Dayan Viciedo
1B Adam Dunn
C Tyler Flowers
RF Kosuke Fukudome
2B Gordon Beckham
DH Dan Johnson
SS Eduardo Escobar

PITCHERS
LHP Hector Santiago
RHP Gregory Infante
RHP Jhan Marinez
RHP Brian Omogrosso
RHP Deunte Heath
RHP Anthony Carter
LHP Pedro Hernandez
LHP Leyson Septimo

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- One of the first people on the back fields at Surprise Recreation Campus every morning is manager Ron Washington.

He spends about 15 to 20 minutes with one or two players on Field 7, which is just an infield (there's no outfield).

On Monday morning, he was working with Mike Olt at third base (they'll tackle first base sometime this week too). And it was all about angles. Washington took his bat and drew the top part of an octagon. He wanted Olt to stay within those lines, meaning always move toward the ball even when moving laterally. He doesn't want any movement that is straight to the left or right. That could enable the ball to take one more bounce or a strange bounce and be the difference between getting to the ball or having time to set your feet to make a throw.

It's an easy thing to check, too. At the end of fielding 30 balls thrown hard on the ground to him by Washington, Olt could see his cleat marks and where he was. He did a good job of keeping on those angles.

"You have to constantly move your feet," Washington said. "If you are moving your feet, you can react quicker and get to the ball to make a play. He did a good job of that."

It's fun to watch Washington go through this routine. He clearly loves the teaching part of the job and the younger players respond to Washington's instruction.

Olt left the field soaked in sweat, feeling like he made progress. That's the point, of course.

Washington does the same thing with his big league players, stressing they keep working on those little things during batting practice and infield drills. He hit balls to Elvis Andrus later in the morning and Andrus was constantly moving his feet as he waited for the arrival of the ball.

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Texas Rangers prospect Mike Olt smiled when asked about his Cactus League debut at first base Sunday.

Olt, 23, turned heads with his bat and glove at third base in 2011. But with Adrian Beltre clearly the club's third baseman for the foreseeable future, Olt was asked to move to first base. He welcomed the opportunity. And Sunday, he got a taste of some of the challenges of playing a new position for the first time.

"It was a little more difficult than I thought," Olt said. "I didn't feel as comfortable as I thought. But that's OK. I'll get more comfortable."

Olt quickly referenced his error in the eighth, when a throw to first on a potential double play went off his glove.

"I thought it was going to bounce and that I was in the right spot, but I wasn't," Olt said. "That's part of learning. I didn't go out and get it and should have. I just have to keep playing."

Olt said he thought he did a nice job of getting to the bag early enough, but that he's still thinking about where his feet need to be once he gets there.

"The more I play, the easier that will get," Olt said. "I had fun, though. I really enjoyed it and I want to get better."

Other notes:

* The Arizona Diamondbacks (Tuesday) and the San Diego Padres (Wednesday) have agreed to use the DH against the Rangers, which means Yu Darvish won't get any chances to hit. The Rangers called both teams and requested using the DH. This early in spring, that's usually not a problem. Later in the spring, some NL clubs may want the pitchers to hit.

* Josh Hamilton will play center field today. Manager Ron Washington said he'd play Hamilton in left and center this spring, just as he will during the regular season.

* Joe Nathan threw to live hitters Monday morning and continues to feel good. He's more than 18 months removed from Tommy John surgery and hasn't been limited at all. "He's bouncing around like a 22-year-old kid," Washington said.

* RHP Scott Feldman was pleased with his cutter and sinker in his two innings of work Sunday. "I was getting ground balls and that's what I have to do," Feldman said. "Even when I didn't throw a changeup where I wanted it, it was hit on the ground."

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Yu Darvish threw a five-minute bullpen session and then tossed 22 pitches to minor-leaguers Jake Skole and Mike Olt as part of his workout Saturday.

Olt, a right-handed hitter, made contact four times, fouling one ball off, chopping one over the second base bag (that might have been a hit in a game), grounding one to short and hitting a long fly ball to right field. Skole, a lefty, never did make contact.

I talked to two different Rangers scouts and the first things they brought up were Darvish's two-seam fastball, his splitter and his changeup. It actually appears he throws both (another scout told me he thinks the change is a circle change). But Darvish threw an off-speed pitch that dropped as it got to the plate and it raised the eyebrows of those keeping careful watch. Skole couldn't hit it (I'm not sure many folks would have, either).

Skole said he asked Torrealba if it was a strike and even the catcher didn't know. But they both knew it had a lot of movement and was a good pitch.

So what do scouts think of Darvish after just two days of throwing to hitters (he threw 19 pitches to two different minor league hitters Thursday)? Here are some thoughts from one of them:

I didn't get to see him live before this week and what I've noticed right away is the balance and delivery. Many guys will fall off the mound to one side or the other, but he is on a straight line to home plate. He mechanics look nearly flawless. You can see why he's had so much success. He can repeat that delivery consistently.

I thought he went at it a little harder today than the other day. The velocity was up. I was told he didn't really throw a splitter or a changeup in Japan, but I saw him throw a splitter in his bullpen session and a change and they had movement and good location. He's got a bunch of pitches and I think he's trying to see what may work and what won't.

He's an athlete and you have to like the build on him. He goes about his business.

Rangers minor league pitching coordinator Danny Clark was the coach near the mound as Darvish threw on Field 3 on Saturday. He was most impressed with Darvish's 2-seam fastball (sinker) and how he could move it to both sides of the plate. So was catcher Yorvit Torrealba, who added that Darvish threw a bunch of different pitches between his bullpen session and the 22 pitches to live hitters.

"He has a presence," Clark said. "That's especially true considering all the attention. I thought he was locked in."

It was Torrealba's first time catching Darvish and the two communicated a little before and after the sessions. Torrealba told him he did a good job and was especially complimentary of the sinker.

"He said he wasn't happy with the four-seamer and that it was a little wide," Torrealba said.

Torrealba said he spoke a few Japanese words to Darvish and that the pitcher knew a few Spanish phrases too.

"His English is all right," Torrealba said. "We could understand each other."

Skole said he was also impressed with the curve ball, which came in at about 70 mph, he figured.

"That's going to freeze some people," Skole said.

Up next: Darvish will have a light day Sunday and then throw to hitters again on Monday. This time, though, it will be major league hitters since full squad workouts will get underway tomorrow. BTW, there weren't quite as many cameras hovering around Darvish on Saturday as there were on Thursday. We'll see if they pick back up next week.

ESPN.com's Keith Law has revealed his top-100 prospect list and it includes four Rangers:

No. 7: SS Jurickson Profar

The Sally League's youngest regular was one of its most impressive prospects of any age; Profar showed the selectivity of a player six or seven years his senior, outstanding instincts in the field and more power than anticipated in his full-season debut.

Profar is a plus-makeup, plus-feel, plus-instincts guy who breaks the mold of that type of player by also having tremendous tools. Born in Curacao, he was scouted more as a pitcher that a position player before he signed. His defense projects as plus, if it isn't there already, with good hands, great reactions off the bat and of course a plus arm. At the plate, his approach is very advanced, and he's stronger than I realized, showing the ability to drive the ball the other way. He needs to keep his stride shorter -- I've seen him overstride to the point where his back side collapses -- and might have more pull power if he does so. He is only an average runner down the line but gets more out of his speed through his feel for baserunning.

Profar is also a player to root for, because of the energy he brings to the game and what a potential superstar like him could do for the sport on the global stage.

No. 20: Martin Perez

Perez has been on the prospect radar so long that it's easy to forget he has yet to turn 21. His performances haven't matched his stuff -- or the hype -- just yet, but he reached Triple-A at an unusually young age and performed well given that added variable.

He will sit 92-95 mph on good days, working effectively to both sides of the plate, with a plus changeup at 83-85 that has both good arm speed and hard fading action. His curveball is more solid-average, mid-70s with inconsistent shape. Perez's command and control are still works in progress. He can take an inning or more to find his rhythm, and he has a tendency to overthrow when in trouble. He's improved his conditioning over the past two years, losing baby fat and building up muscle for durability. He could still end up at the top of a rotation but is more likely a solid No. 2 behind, say, someone such as Yu Darvish.

No. 75: Mike Olt

A potentially plus defender at third with plus raw power, Olt has seen the ball much better as a pro than he did as an amateur, resulting in better-than-expected plate discipline that gives him a chance to be at least an average regular at third. Olt can launch balls in BP, but his approach is now less pull-happy than it was in college, with very good bat speed and great extension on his follow-through for power to left and the ability to use the middle of the field.

He missed two months this summer with a broken collarbone, but was 100 percent again for fall league and led the AFL in home runs (helped by a very homer-friendly ballpark). His contact rates probably won't ever be great, but even an average hit tool with plus power and defense at third makes for a fringe star.

No. 99: Neil Ramirez

Ramirez took a huge step forward in 2011 that was short-circuited temporarily by some shoulder trouble that cropped up in mid-summer. He'll sit 93-94 mph when fully healthy and reached 97 in big league camp last spring with a plus curveball and solid-average changeup. When he had the chance to jump up to Triple-A for a spot start midyear, he threw well enough that Texas decided to leave him there the rest of the year.

He has cleaned up his delivery substantially since high school, with a slightly long but smoother arm swing that puts less stress on his shoulder and none of the former cross-body action that plagued him before he signed. He seemed fully recovered in the Arizona Fall League, and with a full, healthy season he would be a top 50-60 prospect if he's not already in the majors by then.

The top-6 ahead of Profar:

1. CF Mike Trout, LAA
2. RF Bryce Harper, Washington
3. LHP Matt Moore, Tampa Bay
4. SS Manny Machado, Baltimore
5. RHP Shelby Miller, St. Louis
6. C Travis d'Arnaud, Toronto

Kevin Goldstein at Baseball Prospectus and ESPN.com, put together his list of prospects who helped themselves with strong offseasons this winter. Two Rangers made Goldstein's list:

Mike Olt, 3B, Texas Rangers: Olt was in the midst of a breakout season, batting .286/.395/.508 in a tough park at high-A Myrtle Beach when he broke his collarbone in a home plate collision. Now 54 games does not a breakout make, so after a rusty return to finish the regular season, he picked up where he left off by leading the Arizona Fall League with 13 home runs in just 106 at-bats while batting .349/.433/.764.

He's a plus defender at third base as well. His overall future is bright, but with Adrian Beltre entrenched at the position in the big leagues, Olt's future with Texas is a bit muddled.

Tanner Scheppers, RHP, Rangers: Scheppers hasn't been the same pitcher since the Rangers briefly dabbled with making him a starter, but he showed signs of returning to his old self in Venezuela this winter. With a classic two-pitch mix of a well-above-average fastball and power breaker, Scheppers has late innings potential.

While he walked 13 in 13 innings for Magallanes, he also limited batters to a 5-for-41 (.122) mark with 16 strikeouts. That's half of a major step forward for Scheppers, and the other half could land him in Texas in short order.

You can read the whole list here (Insider).