Texas' exciting crop of pitching prospects looks to spin the narrative
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Rangers haven't signed a fully homegrown pitching All-Star since Martín Pérez in 2007 and have ranked better than the Major League average in run prevention just once in the last 11 seasons. Not coincidentally, they won 90 games and the World Series when that happened in
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Rangers haven't signed a fully homegrown pitching All-Star since Martín Pérez in 2007 and have ranked better than the Major League average in run prevention just once in the last 11 seasons. Not coincidentally, they won 90 games and the World Series when that happened in 2023.
But the outlook is bright for Texas pitching prospects these days. Jack Leiter (No. 3) and Kumar Rocker (No. 2/MLB No. 44), top-three-overall picks in the 2021 and 2022 Drafts, made their big league debuts last year. Winston Santos (No. 5) and Emiliano Teodo (No. 6), signed for $10,000 each out of the Dominican Republic in the same 2019-20 international class, successfully navigated Double-A and should arrive in Arlington in the near future, as should reliever Marc Church (No. 23), an 18th-round pick in '19.
Alejandro Rosario (No. 7), a fifth-rounder in 2023, dominated two Class A levels last year and some scouts believed he was the best mound prospect in the system before his elbow blew out last month and required Tommy John surgery. Strike throwers Mitch Bratt (No. 21) and Josh Stephan (No. 22) continued to thrive, while Paul Bonzagni (No. 24), Kolton Curtis (No. 29) and David Davalillo (No. 30) emerged at the lower levels last summer. Stephan and Curtis were non-drafted free agents, while Bonzagni was a 12th-rounder and Davalillo signed for $10,000 out of Venezeula.
"We're not all the way there yet but the narrative has been that we haven't been good at developing pitching," GM Ross Fenstermaker said. "Now we're having success and it's not just the pitchers we took up at the top of the Draft with Rocker and Leiter. It's also Rosario, [Jose] Corniell, Teodo, Santos, Church and more.
"It's scouting and player development working together, our medical and performance teams, the way we train our coaches to work with pitchers. We're doing things in a very different way than we did five or six years ago. It was very uncomfortable at first but now we're starting to see the fruits of our labor."
Rocker, who had shoulder surgery before joining the Rangers and Tommy John surgery shortly afterward, regained his wipeout mid-80s slider with two-plane depth last year while working at 96-97 mph and touching 100 with his fastball. Return to health keyed his success, while his former Vanderbilt teammate Leiter had to make adjustments after his mechanics, stuff and control all regressed during his first two years in pro ball.
Leiter won Triple-A Pacific Coast League pitcher of the year honors in 2024 after doing a better job of maintaining the timing with his delivery and providing more and higher quality strikes. He also works in the mid-90s and reaches triple digits with his fastball, while his upper-80s slider is the best of his four secondary offerings. He has added a promising kick-changeup in the low 90s that has the Rangers excited.
Leiter did get knocked around for an 8.83 ERA in five starts with Texas last year, underscoring his need to further improve his control and command.
"Jack has gone through a lot of adversity as pro and handled it well," farm director Josh Bonifay said. "He's outstanding with his fastball when he locates it at the top of the zone. He has outstanding breaking stuff, too. When he locates in the zone, he's very good."
📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER
Santos parlayed some mechanical adjustments into improved fastball velocity, operating in the mid-90s and hitting 98 mph while tightening his mid-80s slider into a consistent plus pitch. Teodo has the best stuff in the system -- a 97-99 mph sinker that climbs to 102, an upper-80s slider that breaks straight down and a lively upper-80s changeup -- though evaluators are split on whether he'll wind up as a starter or reliever. Church is purely a bullpen option, albeit one with a mid-90s fastball, devastating mid-80s slider and a nasty 89-93 mph splitter that he unveiled in the Arizona Fall League last year.
"We're very excited about our pitching depth," Bonifay said. "But any time that you think that you have enough pitching, you don't. So we need to continue to work on developing pitchers."
Camp standout: Sebastian Walcott
Signed for $3.2 million out of the Bahamas in 2023, Walcott (No. 1/MLB No. 17) is one of the best and most exciting prospects in the Minors. The shortstop's raw power and arm strength both grade as at least plus-plus, and he batted .261/.342/.443 in High-A last year, leading the South Atlantic League in triples (nine), extra-base hits (50) and total bases (192) as its youngest regular (age 18).
Walcott won't turn 19 until Friday but impressed manager Bruce Bochy and his staff with his performance in big league camp. He went 4-for-9 with three doubles and a home run, soaked up plenty of advice from veteran Marcus Semien and looked like he belonged despite his youth.
"He acquitted himself quite well in this environment," Fenstermaker said. "Just watching him jog on the field the other day, he looked like a Major League player right now. The way he moved, his size, his physicality -- he carries himself very well.
"He's very, very mature. He's always been like that. He was raised so well. He has an element of polish you typically don't see at 18 or 19 years old."
Spring Breakout sleeper: David Davalillo
Davalillo comes from a baseball family, with a grandfather (Pompeyo) and great-uncle (Vic) who played in the Majors, a father (David) who reached Double-A and a younger brother (Gabriel) who signed with the Angels for $2 million in January. He's not very physical and he doesn't light up radar guns but he did lead the Minors with a 1.88 ERA between two Class A stops in 2024.
Davalillo's main weapon is a low-80s splitter that generated a 58 percent swing-and-miss rate last year. It's his lone pitch that grades as better than average, though the right-hander helps his cause by throwing strikes with five offerings, commanding his two- and four-seam fastballs well and sequencing his pitches masterfully.
"David has had a fantastic camp," Bonifay said. "His work ethic is so good. He committed to staying here in the offseason, working on his body, working on his arsenal, working on his strength. That splitter is filthy and I love the way he goes about his business. He has confidence on the mound."
Breakout potential: Pablo Guerrero
The son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero and the younger brother of All-Star slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Pablo signed for $97,500 out of the Dominican Republic in 2023. He slashed .260/.343/.417 in his first two pro seasons and struggled after he moved to Single-A the day before he turned 18 last July. He spent the offseason improving his 6-foot-2 frame, leading to increased strength, exit velocities and athleticism.
"He's very physically strong," Bonifay said. "He changed his body and is hitting the ball extremely hard. He has discipline at the plate and when he makes impact, it's loud. He's turned himself into a good defensive first baseman and he's a leader in the clubhouse despite his age. He knows what it takes."
Jim Callis is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him @jimcallisMLB and @jimcallis.bsky.social. Listen to him on the weekly MLB Pipeline Podcast.
River Riders get swept on walk off from Johnson City
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - The Elizabethton River Riders dropped their second game in a row on Wednesday against the Johnson City Doughboys by a final score of 14-11. The Doughboys struck first in the first when Cody Miller scored on a throwing error after stealing third base. Elizabethton tied the
Kerry Herndon-Brown, Connar Penrod earn Appalachian League opening week honors
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced that Elizabethton’s Kerry Herndon-Brown and Greeneville’s Connar Penrod were named Hitter and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for the period of June 6 to June 11. Herndon-Brown, 18, earned Hitter of the Week honors for the first week of the Appalachian League
River Riders take Game 2 from State Liners to close strong homestand
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. - The River Riders took care of business on Sunday against the State Liners with a 6-3 victory, climbing back into a tie for first place in the Appalachian League West with Bristol. The runs were plentiful in the first inning, as both squads put up a two
River Riders slug their way past Axmen in Opening Day victory
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. – Three different River Riders hit home runs Tuesday night as Elizabethton defeated the Kingsport Axmen, 9-7. The Axmen got the scoring started in the top half of the first when Payton Allen came home on a sacrifice fly by Corbin Shaw. However, Elizabethton came back in a
River Riders announce 2023 roster
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. - The Elizabethton River Riders have named their 32-man roster for the 2023 Appalachian League season. The roster is composed of 17 pitchers and 15 position players, all college students from across the nation. “Our community is in store for an action-packed summer of baseball,” River Riders manager
Elizabethton River Riders announce 2023 coaching staff
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. - The River Riders announce their 2023 coaching staff joining manager Jeremy Owens this season in Elizabethton. Leading the team this season includes hitting coach Andy Tomberlin, pitching coach John Chalupa and athletic trainer Kody Eckert. “The River Riders are fortunate to have returning hitting and pitching coaches
Appalachian League's 2023 managers set to take the helm
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Over the last several weeks, Appalachian League teams have announced their managers for the 2023 season. That group includes four brand-new faces with more than 150 years of combined experience in professional baseball. Former big league manager John McLaren, along with Dennis Cook, Bill Kinneberg and
Appalachian League participates in MLK Day of Service
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Appalachian League executives participated in the 28th annual MLK Day of Service on Jan. 16, 2023, volunteering in nine communities across North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Tabbed as a “day on, not a day off” to celebrate the life and legacy of the Civil
Appalachian League celebrates 2022 charitable contributions
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced that the league’s charitable outreach grew to more than $3.4 million of gift-in-kind and monetary donations this year. Additionally, the league and its clubs volunteered more than 11,000 hours of community service. The league’s reach impacts the towns and cities their 10
Elizabethton River Riders unveil 2023 season schedule
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. - The Elizabethton River Riders announced their 2023 baseball schedule. The River Riders will host their first home game June 6 against the Kingsport Axmen. The 2023 Appalachian League season begins June 6 and runs through July 31. The River Riders will celebrate Independence Day at Northeast Community
Appy League adds Justin Morgenstern as director of player personnel
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League is pleased to announce the hiring of Justin Morgenstern as the new director of player personnel. Morgenstern joins the Appalachian League from the Philadelphia Phillies, where he was an area scout since 2016. Morgenstern spent his first three years with the organization covering
Elizabethton River Riders announce Kiva Fuller as general manager
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. - Boyd Sports, LLC announces Kiva Fuller as the general manager of the Elizabethton River Riders, effective Oct. 3. Kiva joins the River Riders coming from the Johnson City Doughboys as the general manager for the past two seasons, earning the Appalachian League Patriot Award and Promotional Award.
Appalachian League announces Humanitarian of the Year nominees
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced the 10 nominees for its 2022 Humanitarian of the Year award. The Humanitarian of the Year award is given to the Appalachian League player that has been judged to have made the most notable contributions in his community during the season through
2022 All-Appalachian League Team announced
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced the 2022 All-Appalachian League Team. The honorees were nominated and voted on by the league’s managers. The All-Appalachian League Team is highlighted by Bluefield’s Jackson Feltner, who was named Player of the Year, and Burlington’s Mason Ruh, who earned Pitcher of the
River Riders come from behind to defeat Pulaski
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. – An early lead by the Pulaski River Turtles was not enough Friday night in Elizabethton, as the River Riders came back from a two-run deficit with a four-run seventh inning to beat Pulaski 8-4. The River Turtles got on the board first with a sacrifice fly in
River Riders split doubleheader against Bristol
BRISTOL, Va. - The Elizabethton River Riders split a seven-inning doubleheader Wednesday night against the Bristol State Liners. They won the first game, 11-3, but dropped Game 2, 7-2, to Bristol. Bristol struck early in Game 1, with three first-inning runs, but the Blue and Yellow hit back. Carlo Zorola
Greeneville downs Elizabethton, 7-2
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. - Following a week in which the Elizabethton River Riders played just one game, they fell, 7-2, to the Greeneville Flyboys on Monday night at NCCU Ballpark. Greeneville pounded out 10 hits on the night, including seven combined hits from Myles Smith and Cameron LaLiberte to push the
River Riders, Ridge Runners canceled due to rain
BLUEFIELD, W.V. - The Elizabethton River Riders and Bluefield Ridge Runners will not play this week due to rainouts on both July 27 and July 28, with the games not being made up due to no other availability for a makeup game. The River Riders (21-23) are still looking to
Johnson Jr. hits walk-off single, East tops West at 2022 Appy League All-Star Game
BURLINGTON, N.C. -- The East defeated the West, 6-5, at the 2022 Appalachian League All-Star Game presented by Visit Alamance on Tuesday night at Burlington Athletic Stadium. After Greeneville's Brock Daniels (Missouri) hit a game-tying two-run single with two outs in the top of the ninth, Danville's RJ Johnson Jr
Basler's walk-off helps Elizabethton down Burlington, 6-5
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. - Down 4-0 in the fourth inning, the Elizabethton River Riders battled all the way to the end and earned a 6-5 victory over the Burlington Sock Puppets on Saturday night thanks to a walk-off single by Peyton Basler. One night after a four-hour-plus win over Pulaski, the
River Rider bats explode, score 22 in win over Pulaski
22-16. No, that is not a football score. The Elizabethton River Riders won a wild, high-octane offensive affair at Calfee Park in Pulaski over the River Turtles, 22-16, on Friday night. It was a night in which Elizabethton managed to get 31 runners on base and have multiple players with
River Riders can’t complete comeback, drop game to Pulaski
PULASKI, Va. - The Elizabethton River Riders fell into a 5-0 hole after two innings Thursday night against Pulaski, and despite clawing all the way back to lead in the sixth inning, they couldn’t hold on as the Blue and Yellow fell to the River Turtles, 8-7. Elizabethton was behind
Early deficit dooms River Riders as Axmen sweep
KINGSPORT, Tenn. - Nothing seemingly went right on Wednesday night for the Elizabethton River Riders, as they were swept in a critical two-game series by the Kingsport Axmen, 10-3, on Wednesday night. The Axmen were off and running early, scoring three runs in the first with the help of a
Elizabethton River Riders announce Appalachian League All-Star selections
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. – The Appalachian League has announced its rosters for the second annual All-Star Game taking place on Tuesday, July 26 at Burlington Athletic Stadium in Burlington, N.C. The game is presented by Visit Alamance, and will feature 44 of the league’s top players. Selections were made by the