The Rangers are loaded with middle-infield talent. Corey Seager and Marcus Semien are legitimate American League MVP candidates who have forced youngsters Ezequiel Duran and Josh Smith to play all over the diamond in order to find big league at-bats.

Justin Foscue is on the cusp of the Majors, and 17-year-old Sebastian Walcott might have the highest ceiling in the system. Texas' stockpile is impressive, even if it no longer includes Luisangel Acuña or Minor League hits and total bases leader Thomas Saggese, who were used in midseason trades for Max Scherzer and Jordan Montgomery.

But none of them can play shortstop like Cam Cauley.

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A third-round pick out of Barbers Hill High School (Mont Belvieu, Texas) in 2021, Cauley has plus-plus speed and covers plenty of ground in the infield. He's working on improving his arm strength and his throwing accuracy, but he's a definite shortstop.

While there are a lot of middle infielders between Cauley and a starting job in Texas, he's ready for the challenge.

"We all make each other better," said Cauley, who's refining his game with the Arizona Fall League's Surprise Saguaros. "Every day, you're playing with the best of the best of the org. So just watching them, learning from them, no matter what it is, it's definitely a benefit."

Cauley will have to improve offensively to claim a starting job in the Majors. As an amateur, he impressed with his right-handed swing, bat speed and hand-eye coordination. While he has added some much-needed strength as a pro, he has yet to produce consistently at the plate.

Cauley batted .245/.333/.411 with 12 homers in 100 games between two Class A stops this year, and he's off to a 3-for-33 (.091) start with 19 strikeouts in the AFL. He's still trying to solve some timing issues and can get overly aggressive. He did make some progress with driving the ball in the air and using the opposite field following a mid-July promotion to High-A.

An all-state wide receiver in high school, Cauley can make a difference on the bases if he reaches on a regular basis. He stole 36 bases in 41 attempts this season and has 84 swipes in 201 pro games. Rule changes to limit pitcher disengagements and enlarge the bases have put a greater premium on speed, which helps him.

"I've worked on [my speed] in order to use it, and then just try to play with the pitcher a little bit," Cauley said. "Just get them off time and help my hitters get a good pitch to hit ... you still have to get there and slide in safe. It's still hard, but the rules definitely help."

Rangers hitters in the Fall League

Abimelec Ortiz, 1B/OF (No. 14): An undrafted free agent signed out of Florida SouthWestern State JC in 2021, Ortiz has huge raw power and broke out in 2023, batting .294/.371/.619 with 33 homers in 109 games at two Class A levels. He topped the Minors in slugging, ranked fourth in homers and OPS (.990) and won MVP honors in the South Atlantic League after leading the High-A circuit with 26 homers in just 80 games.

Alejandro Osuna, OF (No. 29): The younger brother of former All-Star closer Roberto Osuna and the nephew of ex-big leaguer Antonio Osuna, Alejandro signed out of Mexico for $125,000 in 2020. His offensive game prompts comparisons to Alex Verdugo, whom he idolizes, and he hit .259/.381/.385 with 16 steals in 70 games in High-A.

Liam Hicks, C/1B: An offensive-minded catcher, Hicks recorded the AFL's first six-hit game in 14 years last Tuesday. The 2021 ninth-round pick from Arkansas State batted .275/.414/.373 in 92 games between High-A and Double-A.

Ian Moller, C: Selected in 2021's fourth round from an Iowa high school, Moller stands out most for his raw power and arm strength. He hit .190/.325/.295 in Single-A.

Rangers pitchers in the Fall League

Mitch Bratt, LHP (No. 17): Bratt has advanced feel for four pitches that each have the potential to be average or better. A fifth-round pick out of a Georgia high school in 2021, he posted a 3.54 ERA and 73/17 K/BB ratio in 61 innings in High-A.

Emiliano Teodo, RHP (No. 22): Teodo draws comparisons to Yordan Ventura because of his small frame and high-octane stuff, including a fastball that has been clocked as high as 103 mph and a power breaking ball. Signed out of the Dominican Republic for $10,000 in 2020, he logged a 4.52 ERA with 84 strikeouts in 61 2/3 innings in High-A.

Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoa, RHP: A 30th-round pick from Pierce (Wash.) CC in 2019, Hoopii-Tuionetoa features a 94-99 mph fastball and a hard slider. He compiled a 2.96 ERA, .204 opponent average and 25/7 K/BB ratio in 24 1/3 innings between Rookie ball and two Class A stops.

Zak Kent, RHP: When he's at his best, Kent has a wipeout mid-80s slider and a mid-90s four-seamer. Selected in 2021's ninth round out of Virginia Military Institute, he recorded a 3.97 ERA, .205 opponent average and 34 strikeouts in 34 Triple-A innings.

Justin Slaten, RHP: Slaten owns a 94-98 mph fastball and a mid-80s slider, and he did a better job of harnessing them as a full-time reliever this year. A 2019 third-round pick from New Mexico -- the second-highest drafted pitcher in school history -- he recorded a 2.87 ERA, .206 opponent average and 86/20 K/BB ratio between Double-A and Triple-A.