Perhaps this is because the crowds are the smallest I have ever seen, another sign of the economic chaos of our times. Or perhaps it is because most of these spectators are not devoted readers of the game's modern bible, Baseball America.

The publication that is must-reading for front office types, the media and many fans ranks the Rangers' minor league system No. 1 in the league. It's a distinction Texas held back in 1990.

But then it took the Rangers six years to reach the playoffs and cash in on the likes of Juan Gonzalez and Dean Palmer in the system.

This team can't wait six years to reach the playoffs. GM Jon Daniels would be fired. Manager Ron Washington would be fired. Heck, even Nolan Ryan might be long gone if this franchise doesn't end its playoff drought before 2014.

And there are many reasons to think it will.

One is that younger teams are having more and more success. Arizona's minor league system was ranked No. 1 in 2006, and the D-Backs played in the National League Championship Series in 2007.

Tampa Bay, coming off a 66-win season in 2007, was ranked No. 1 a year ago. The Rays made a stunning run to the World Series before losing to Philadelphia.

Can these Rangers combine their stockpile of top prospects with their wealth of established major league hitters to be this year's Rays? Or will you settle for 2010 if they become that year's Diamondbacks?

Rangers fans, having endured 36 seasons without a trip to a League Championship Series, surely would grasp at either one.

Daniels said he gives credit to the No. 1 system ranking on two fronts.

"One is ownership because Tom [Hicks] bought into the vision we sold him a few years ago. Whether it's the draft, paying for a Justin Smoak, building up Latin America or trades, he has supported us all the way," Daniels said. "The second are our scouts at the major league and the minor league level and the job they have done in selecting players, in developing a Chris Davis.

"It's one step closer to winning in Arlington. A year from now, I hope I'm answering questions about that, not about being the minor league champions again. Although I want that, too."

The most obvious improvement the Rangers are going to have to demonstrate to achieve success is in pitching. Texas led the majors in run scored last season but in runs allowed, as well.

So is it smart to envision dramatic change for a team that still has Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla at the top of the rotation, a club that had Brandon McCarthy surrendering a leadoff home run to Tommy Murphy, a nonroster Royals invitee, in a B game Friday morning?

Before you shout an emphatic "no," consider two things. There are very real pitching prospects closing in on the major league level. It's true. Daniels hasn't traded all of them.

Derek Holland and Neftali Feliz are coming, sooner than later. One of them has to fit the Scott Kazmir role, to continue the Rays' analogy, and make this thing work.

Tampa Bay was a far worse team (by 13 losses) in 2007 than Texas in 2008. The Rays went from last in ERA to second behind Boston. An improved bullpen and the addition of one key starter, Matt Garza in a trade from the Twins, had a lot to do with it.

The Rangers figure to have one of the better bullpens, maybe the best, in the AL West. The closers who began last year for their rivals - Francisco Rodriguez (Angels), J.J. Putz (Mariners) and Huston Street (A's) - are all gone.

Texas has changed closers, too, but the team believes it's for the better. Frankie Francisco picked up five saves in the last 30 games of '08 and now should get set-up support from former closer C.J. Wilson, Joaquin Benoit and perhaps veteran Brendan Donnelly.

Partly because the Angels no longer sport the look of a 100-win team but more because the Rangers' system has been retooled to the point that it's ready to start supplying the needed missing pieces, Texas has a chance to make something of that No. 1 ranking.

And it won't take six years.