The Texas Rangers optioned six of their prospects to the minors Monday, including third baseman Joey Gallo, infielder Jurickson Profar and outfielder Nomar Mazara.
The Rangers’ three top position player prospects were sent to Triple-A Round Rock.
Gallo, 22, hit .286 with a team-leading three home runs in 28 at-bats this spring. He played in 36 games for the Rangers last season, hitting .204 with six home runs, 14 RBIs and 57 strikeouts in 108 at-bats. He struggled at Triple-A, hitting .195 with 14 home runs, 32 RBIs and 90 strikeouts in 200 at-bats.
Profar, 23, had been limited to 12 games the past two years because of a shoulder injury that required surgery last February.
Mazara, 20, hit .358 in 20 games last season after an August promotion. He hit .375 in 12 spring games.
Also sent down were infielders Ryan Cordell and Drew Robinson, and outfielder Lewis Brinson.
“Part of the sentiment as we send these guys out is to keep them together,” Rangers manager Jeff Banister said Monday. “Let them understand they are an important group of players. They are the next wave of players, and the guys understand that if they come up, they have the ability to compete.”