Max Acosta

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Miami Marlins #23 prospect in 2025
  BA Grade/Risk: 40/Medium.
  
  Track Record: Acosta was of the most heralded players in the Rangers’ 2019 international signing class. He was lauded as an amateur for his mix of potentially plus tools. Like all others in his signing class, Acosta’s pro debut was delayed by the pandemic until 2021. His first few seasons were milquetoast before a breakout 2024 campaign was catalyzed by a much better sense of the strike zone. He was added to Texas’ 40-man roster after the season, before being traded to Miami in the deal that made Jake Burger a Ranger.
  
  Scouting Report: Acosta returned to health in 2024 after a series of minor injuries pockmarked his previous two seasons. The results were clear: He controlled the strike zone better—he struck out just 58 times in 104 games at Double-A—and showed more power. Part of the latter phenomenon was because he gained more balance and used his lower half better in his swing. He’s a sound defender up the middle who will fit nicely at either shortstop or second base and could move to third base in a pinch.
  
  The Future: After being traded to Miami, Acosta will likely spend most or all his season at Triple-A Jacksonville. There, he’ll try to build on his breakout 2024 season—which also included an excellent campaign in the Arizona Fall League—and push himself into the mix for a rebuilding Marlins club.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 45 | Run: 40 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50.
• 
  Ranked Texas Rangers #21 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Acosta signed with the Rangers for $1.65 million during the 2019 international period, which also netted them powerful outfielder Bayron Lora. His debut season was shelved by the pandemic, but he got on the field during 2020 instructional league. His 2021 season was limited to just 17 games thanks to surgery to alleviate the symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome.
  
  Scouting Report: Before the injury, the Rangers were extremely excited about what they’d seen from Acosta. He’d performed extremely well at instructional league in 2020 and carried it over to extended spring training. At his best, Texas expects a player who hits for 50-55 grades in both average and power. Before the surgery, rival scouts saw a player whose body appeared to be nearly maxed out already but had the tools to be a solid everyday shortstop in the big leagues. He’s an average runner whose defense plays up because of the way he anticipates, and he has a plus throwing arm.
  
  The Future: Acosta spent part of his fall and winter at a development camp at the Rangers’ spring training complex in Arizona. He should be a full go by next season, when he’ll likely start back in extended spring training. His upside is dependent on how he looks post-surgery.
  
• 
  Ranked Texas Rangers #7 prospect in 2021
  Hitting: 55. Power: 50. Running: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
  
  TRACK RECORD: The Rangers signed Acosta for $1.65 million out of Venezuela as part of their touted 2019 international signing class. His pro debut was delayed by the pandemic, but he spent the fall as one of the youngest players in instructional league and earned rave reviews from the Rangers' player development staff.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Acosta has drawn comparisons with the Yankees’ Gleyber Torres as a potential offensive star who plays up the middle. Acosta’s bat produces plenty of line drives and consistently finds the barrel, and the belief is he will have 20-25-homer power once he matures. He recognizes pitches, controls the strike zone and has an all-fields approach that portends an above-average hitter. Somewhat surprisingly, the Rangers clocked Acosta as a below-average runner but expect that to improve once he’s in full game shape. He does have a thicker lower half that will have to be maintained. Acosta overcomes his lack of speed defensively with excellent anticipation at shortstop and plus arm strength.
  
  THE FUTURE: It’s easy to get excited about Acosta, even though he hasn’t made his official pro debut and still has a lot of developing to do. He will likely begin 2021 in the Rookie-level Arizona League.
• 
  Ranked Texas Rangers #5 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: The Rangers gave Dominican outfielder Bayron Lora more money in 2019, but Acosta has trended up so much that he has surpassed Lora as the team's best international signing in the 2019 class.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Acosta combines plus tools in a well-rounded skill set. He plays with a calm, controlled style and easy actions on both sides of the ball, drawing comparisons to Gleyber Torres both physically and in his allaround game. He has a short, fluid swing with good rhythm, balance and timing. He recognizes spin, controls the strike zone and is a high-contact hitter who barrels pitches in all areas of the strike zone with an all-fields approach. Acosta has a chance to be a plus hitter and has at least average power now that should be above-average soon. His feel for the barrel should allow that power to translate in games. Acosta has a thicker lower half than some other shortstops his age, but he should stay at the position. A plus runner with a plus arm, Acosta has a good internal clock at shortstop with good footwork, range and athleticism.
  
  THE FUTURE: Acosta is advanced enough that he should make his pro debut in 2020 in the U.S., most likely in the Rookie-level Arizona League. His upside makes him one of the most exciting players in the organization.

• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Acosta signed with the Rangers for $1.65 million during the 2019 international period, which also netted them powerful outfielder Bayron Lora. His debut season was shelved by the pandemic, but he got on the field during 2020 instructional league. His 2021 season was limited to just 17 games thanks to surgery to alleviate the symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome.
  
  Scouting Report: Before the injury, the Rangers were extremely excited about what they&#39d seen from Acosta. He&#39d performed extremely well at instructional league in 2020 and carried it over to extended spring training. At his best, Texas expects a player who hits for 50-55 grades in both average and power. Before the surgery, rival scouts saw a player whose body appeared to be nearly maxed out already but had the tools to be a solid everyday shortstop in the big leagues. He&#39s an average runner whose defense plays up because of the way he anticipates, and he has a plus throwing arm.
  
  The Future: Acosta spent part of his fall and winter at a development camp at the Rangers&#39 spring training complex in Arizona. He should be a full go by next season, when he&#39ll likely start back in extended spring training. His upside is dependent on how he looks post-surgery.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Acosta signed with the Rangers for $1.65 million during the 2019 international period, which also netted them powerful outfielder Bayron Lora. His debut season was shelved by the pandemic, but he got on the field during 2020 instructional league. His 2021 season was limited to just 17 games thanks to surgery to alleviate the symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome.
  
  Scouting Report: Before the injury, the Rangers were extremely excited about what they’d seen from Acosta. He’d performed extremely well at instructional league in 2020 and carried it over to extended spring training. At his best, Texas expects a player who hits for 50-55 grades in both average and power. Before the surgery, rival scouts saw a player whose body appeared to be nearly maxed out already but had the tools to be a solid everyday shortstop in the big leagues. He’s an average runner whose defense plays up because of the way he anticipates, and he has a plus throwing arm.
  
  The Future: Acosta spent part of his fall and winter at a development camp at the Rangers’ spring training complex in Arizona. He should be a full go by next season, when he’ll likely start back in extended spring training. His upside is dependent on how he looks post-surgery.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 55. Power: 50. Running: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
  
  TRACK RECORD: The Rangers signed Acosta for $1.65 million out of Venezuela as part of their touted 2019 international signing class. His pro debut was delayed by the pandemic, but he spent the fall as one of the youngest players in instructional league and earned rave reviews from the Rangers' player development staff.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Acosta has drawn comparisons with the Yankees' Gleyber Torres as a potential offensive star who plays up the middle. Acosta's bat produces plenty of line drives and consistently finds the barrel, and the belief is he will have 20-25-homer power once he matures. He recognizes pitches, controls the strike zone and has an all-fields approach that portends an above-average hitter. Somewhat surprisingly, the Rangers clocked Acosta as a below-average runner but expect that to improve once he's in full game shape. He does have a thicker lower half that will have to be maintained. Acosta overcomes his lack of speed defensively with excellent anticipation at shortstop and plus arm strength.
  
  THE FUTURE: It's easy to get excited about Acosta, even though he hasn't made his official pro debut and still has a lot of developing to do. He will likely begin 2021 in the Rookie-level Arizona League.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 55. Power: 50. Running: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
  
  TRACK RECORD: The Rangers signed Acosta for $1.65 million out of Venezuela as part of their touted 2019 international signing class. His pro debut was delayed by the pandemic, but he spent the fall as one of the youngest players in instructional league and earned rave reviews from the Rangers' player development staff.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Acosta has drawn comparisons with the Yankees’ Gleyber Torres as a potential offensive star who plays up the middle. Acosta’s bat produces plenty of line drives and consistently finds the barrel, and the belief is he will have 20-25-homer power once he matures. He recognizes pitches, controls the strike zone and has an all-fields approach that portends an above-average hitter. Somewhat surprisingly, the Rangers clocked Acosta as a below-average runner but expect that to improve once he’s in full game shape. He does have a thicker lower half that will have to be maintained. Acosta overcomes his lack of speed defensively with excellent anticipation at shortstop and plus arm strength.
  
  THE FUTURE: It’s easy to get excited about Acosta, even though he hasn’t made his official pro debut and still has a lot of developing to do. He will likely begin 2021 in the Rookie-level Arizona League.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 55. Power: 50. Running: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
  
  TRACK RECORD: The Rangers signed Acosta for $1.65 million out of Venezuela as part of their touted 2019 international signing class. His pro debut was delayed by the pandemic, but he spent the fall as one of the youngest players in instructional league and earned rave reviews from the Rangers' player development staff.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Acosta has drawn comparisons with the Yankees’ Gleyber Torres as a potential offensive star who plays up the middle. Acosta’s bat produces plenty of line drives and consistently finds the barrel, and the belief is he will have 20-25-homer power once he matures. He recognizes pitches, controls the strike zone and has an all-fields approach that portends an above-average hitter. Somewhat surprisingly, the Rangers clocked Acosta as a below-average runner but expect that to improve once he’s in full game shape. He does have a thicker lower half that will have to be maintained. Acosta overcomes his lack of speed defensively with excellent anticipation at shortstop and plus arm strength.
  
  THE FUTURE: It’s easy to get excited about Acosta, even though he hasn’t made his official pro debut and still has a lot of developing to do. He will likely begin 2021 in the Rookie-level Arizona League.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Rangers gave Dominican outfielder Bayron Lora more money in 2019, but Acosta has trended up so much that he has surpassed Lora as the team’s best international signing in the 2019 class.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Acosta combines plus tools in a well-rounded skill set. He plays with a calm, controlled style and easy actions on both sides of the ball, drawing comparisons to Gleyber Torres both physically and in his allaround game. He has a short, fluid swing with good rhythm, balance and timing. He recognizes spin, controls the strike zone and is a high-contact hitter who barrels pitches in all areas of the strike zone with an all-fields approach. Acosta has a chance to be a plus hitter and has at least average power now that should be above-average soon. His feel for the barrel should allow that power to translate in games. Acosta has a thicker lower half than some other shortstops his age, but he should stay at the position. A plus runner with a plus arm, Acosta has a good internal clock at shortstop with good footwork, range and athleticism.
  
  THE FUTURE: Acosta is advanced enough that he should make his pro debut in 2020 in the U.S., most likely in the Rookie-level Arizona League. His upside makes him one of the most exciting players in the organization.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Rangers gave Dominican outfielder Bayron Lora more money in 2019, but Acosta has trended up so much that he has surpassed Lora as the team's best international signing in the 2019 class.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Acosta combines plus tools in a well-rounded skill set. He plays with a calm, controlled style and easy actions on both sides of the ball, drawing comparisons to Gleyber Torres both physically and in his allaround game. He has a short, fluid swing with good rhythm, balance and timing. He recognizes spin, controls the strike zone and is a high-contact hitter who barrels pitches in all areas of the strike zone with an all-fields approach. Acosta has a chance to be a plus hitter and has at least average power now that should be above-average soon. His feel for the barrel should allow that power to translate in games. Acosta has a thicker lower half than some other shortstops his age, but he should stay at the position. A plus runner with a plus arm, Acosta has a good internal clock at shortstop with good footwork, range and athleticism.
  
  THE FUTURE: Acosta is advanced enough that he should make his pro debut in 2020 in the U.S., most likely in the Rookie-level Arizona League. His upside makes him one of the most exciting players in the organization.