Return to MLB Prospect index Neftali Feliz - RHP Neftali Feliz Scouting Report - The Rangers have consistently been one of the worst pitching clubs in all of baseball and that has been a result of their ballpark and poor talent, but Jon Daniels and Nolan Ryan are hoping Neftali Feliz goes a long ways to alter that trend. - Acquired in Mark Teixeira trade from Atlanta on July 31st, 2007, which also allowed Texas to acquire Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Elvis Andrus. - Born on May 2nd, 1988 in Azua, Feliz openly idolizes Pedro Martinez, but has the physical frame of a pure power pitcher at 6'3" and 215 pounds. - Heading into the 2009 season, he is ahead of Justin Smoak as the Rangers' top prospect. - Features a high 90's fastball and his offspeed pitches are improving, but mostly relies on his change to keep hitters off balance. - Signed by Atlanta, but also was pursued by the Red Sox and Pirates. - Ranked sixth by Baseball Prospectus in their Top 100 Prospects for 2009. - He pitched 11 games (five starts) in Rookie ball in 2006, another eight games (seven starts) in Rookie ball in 2007 and pitched 15 innings in low-A following the trade to the Rangers. He made 27 total starts in 2008, 17 in A ball in which he had 106 strikeouts, 28 walks, a 2.52 ERA and 1.01 WHIP in 82 innings. He finished 2008 in AA with Frisco where he had 47 strikeouts in 45.1 innings. - Feliz was ranked fifth in 2008 amongst all Minor Leaguers in SWHIP, which measures strikeout efficiency against hits and walks allowed. He has consistently recorded more strikeouts than innings while maintaining a low walk rate. Updates RealGM will be tracking Feliz throughout his minor league development and presenting updates here and within our Wiretap. May 14, 2009: Feliz strikes out seven batters over five innings, while giving up just one walk and one hit/run (solo homer). Apr. 10, 2009: Feliz struggles with his command in first start of 2009, walking six over four innings. Netfali Feliz Links Latest Neftali Feliz news via Google Baseball Reference Neftali Feliz Page A Mike Hindman interview with Feliz from November 2008 MiLB Neftali Feliz Page YouTube footage of Feliz warming up prior to a 2008 start Click here to see our complete Prospect Review on other members of the Texas Rangers - If you have updates on Neftali Feliz that warrant inclusion on this page, please email me at [email protected]