While up in the big leagues, the Texas Rangers are fighting and collapsing for a final American League postseason spot, the Minor League Baseball season is practically over. With that we get to evaluate breakout stars make their name known and in 2025 that player was 22-year-old Cameron Cauley.

Cauley, a Houston native, was drafted in the third round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of high school. At the time of his first professional, Cauley was only 18 years old and was able to showcase a positive sign of putting bat on ball.

Now, five seasons into his pro career, Cauley is coming off one of his more promising seasons at the highest level he’s ever played. And he only got stronger as they season progressed.

Cauley’s 2025 showcases what Rangers saw to draft him in third round

After an injury riddled season in 2024, Cauley was mostly healthy this season playing in 113 games this year. All of which were spent at the Double-A level with the Frisco Roughriders.

The 17th overall prospect in the Rangers’ organization, Cauley slashed .253/.325/.773 with 15 home runs, 51 runs driven in, 28 stolen bases and a career high 74 runs scored and 110 base hits.

When the Rangers took him as their third round selection out of high school, the five-foot-ten, 170 pound shortstop drew comparisons to former infielder baseman Dustin Pedroia for his elite speed, above-average glove and top notch ability to read the strike zone and get hits.

One thing missing from his game according to scouts was his power. While it’s still not close to 30+ home run caliber, Cauley now has two straight 15 home run seasons to go along with three-straight 25+ stolen base seasons.

22-year-old Cauley only got stronger as season progressed

After starting off the season strong, Cauley no doubt experienced some struggles throughout the year but really hit his stride in July when he hit .314 with an .836 OPS. He knocked in 16 runs and hit three longballs during that 23 game stretch.

Then in his final five games of the year in September, Cauley’s OPS reached a staggering 1.408 in 20 at-bats. He capped the season off with a four hit, two homer game, including a walk-off two-run big fly in the final game of the year.

While there is still a lot to improve upon for Cauley, he enters the offseason with a sudden boost of needed confidence after stringing together a handful of consistently good back-to-back seasons.

His primary position this season was shortstop and while he has the speed and range to be successful at that defensive spot, he does have the tools and can prove himself to be an elite centerfielder in the future.

Whether that is teaming him up with Evan Carter and Wyatt Langford in Arlington a few seasons from now or him taking over the Corey Seager mantle, Texas has to be excited to see this positive of growth from a third rounder from four years a