Cameron Cauley has one of the highest ceilings in the Texas Rangers organization. Selected in the third round of the 2021 draft out of Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, Texas, the 20-year-old shortstop has been described by Eric Longenhagen as “an incredible athlete” who not only “has a chance to be a Gold Glove shortstop,” but also possesses “plus bat speed and the pop to do damage to the oppo gap.” In a second full professional season split between Low-A Down East and High-A Hickory, Cauley made strides by slashing .245/.333/.411 with 12 home runs and a 109 wRC+. Moreover, he took advantage of his plus-plus wheels by swiping 36 bases in 41 attempts.

There are reasons to pump the brakes. As our lead prospect analyst pointed out, Cauley’s throwing accuracy needs polishing, and his strikeout rate (32.6% since entering pro ball) is a major concern. Especially troublesome is a 25.8% in-zone swing-and-miss rate that compromises his ability to produce high exit velocities when he does square up a baseball.

Cauley, who carries 175 pounds on a lithe 5-foot-10 frame, discussed his game late in the Arizona Fall League season.

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David Laurila: I’ve read that you have elite athleticism. Do you agree with that?

Cameron Cauley: “I’d say so. God blessed me with athleticism. I’ve always been athletic, from a young age to now, so I’m pretty good at sports. I’m good at golf. I’m good at football and basketball…”

Laurila: Can you dunk?

Cauley: “Not a basketball, but I could if I could hold on to it. My hands are too small. I lose the ball every time I go up.”

Laurila: I’ve also read that you have elite defensive skills. Do you consider that your calling card?

Cauley: “I think it’s just a part of my game. I mean, I think I do a lot of things well on the field — run, hit. Defense, of course. But yeah, it’s something that I strive to be really good at. I take defense really seriously, because as a shortstop you want to be the leader of the infield. You need to make all of the plays, so I definitely take pride in it.”

Laurila: Is there a shortstop you really like watching, or even model your game after?

Cauley: “There are two guys. I really like Trea Turner, just his overall game. But defensively, I like Dansby Swanson. I like how he simplifies everything. He makes everything look routine and easy.”

Laurila: You’re more about fundamentals than flash…

Cauley: “I can do a lot of flashy stuff, but in games I just try to make the play. That said, if you have that — you have the ability to make plays look cool — it’s maybe what you do. Personally, I try to field the ball and make the throw, and however it looks, it looks.”

Laurila: Where do you stand in terms of old school versus “let the kids play”? For instance, what are your thoughts on bat flipping?

Cauley: “I’d say I’m a mix of both. I definitely think you should play the game right, but at the same time, the pitcher is trying his hardest to get you out, so if you put a good swing on the ball and hit it a long way, I don’t think you’re in the wrong for showing emotion. If you’re showboating toward him, OK, maybe that’s a problem. But if it’s toward your teammates, I don’t think it’s a problem.”

Laurila: Our lead prospect analyst wrote last summer that you have plus bat speed, but that it takes a lot of effort to generate. Do you feel that’s accurate?

Cauley: “I wouldn’t say yes or no. I mean, I don’t necessarily try to hit the ball super hard. That’s not my goal.”

Laurila: That said, is it a high effort swing?

Cauley: “Maybe sometimes. If it’s a 2-0 count, or I know the pitcher and want to get my [A swing] off… but really, I don’t think about trying to take a big swing. I try to put the ball in play. I just want to see a good pitch to hit, and however hard I swing is what it is.”

Laurila: Would you say that your swing is built more for line drives into the gaps than for launching balls out of the park?

Cauley: “Yes. Line drives. I’m not trying to hit the ball in the air… I mean, I’m trying to get the ball off the ground, but I’m not trying to get it high in the air. I don’t want popups. I want to get good backspin and drive the ball.”

Laurila: Your numbers have been OK in pro ball, especially considering your age, but they also haven’t been great — especially in 2022 [a 73 wRC+ in Low-A]. Strikeouts have been a bit of an issue. What do you see as the reasons for that?

Cauley: “I think it’s just learning. My first full year, I was… I wouldn’t say that I was overmatched. I just wasn’t ready. I had the tools and athleticism — I had the talent to be really good — but mentally I wasn’t there yet. I still had the approach of a kid just out of high school. Going into last offseason, I knew that I was way better than the numbers I’d put up. I knew that the Rangers had drafted a guy that didn’t show what he could do. Some people were questioning me, and I used that as fuel.

“I went into last offseason and got an approach that I liked, and I also fixed some things with my swing. I went to instructs and the hitting coaches there helped me get my body in a good position to hit. Obviously, I need to continue to improve this coming offseason. I do think I’m moving in the right direction.”

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