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.
Join Us for FREE Community Fan Fest on April 2nd
The first pitch of the 2025 season is right around the corner and we want you to help us kick off a new year of baseball at Fan Fest on Wednesday, April 2nd from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Avista Stadium! This FREE community event courtesy of Avista and
Ryan Ritter Eyes Bounceback Season in 2025
At first glance, Ryan Ritter accomplished little in the Arizona Fall League. He missed a lot of time due to back soreness, so he was unable to play second base as much as he and the Rockies hoped. And seeking an offensive groove that proved elusive after an injury followed
(20) Spokane Indians to Compete in Spring Breakout
Major League Baseball today announced the rosters and broadcast schedule for the second annual “Spring Breakout” prospect games that will be part of Major League Spring Training and broadcast on MLB Network, local RSNs and streamed on MLB.tv, MLB.com and the MLB App from March 13th-16th. The Spring Breakout games
Indians Announce 2025 Promotional Schedule
The defending Northwest League champion Spokane Indians announced today their full promotional schedule for the 2025 season at Avista Stadium, which kicks off against the Seattle Mariners affiliate (Everett AquaSox) on Friday, April 4th with Opening Night Fireworks. The 66-game home slate is packed with fan favorites like: **(20) Firework
Versatile Konner Eaton Flashes Intriguing Potential
Left-hander Konner Eaton has given the Rockies’ organization a happy problem. It’s not one they envisioned upon selecting him in the sixth round of the 2024 First-Year Player Draft out of George Mason. The Rockies knew then that Eaton possessed a power arm. They knew he looked like a Major
Redband Rally Supports Spokane Riverkeeper
Since its creation in 2017, the Redband Rally Campaign has worked to raise awareness for the Redband Trout and rally the community to protect and keep the Spokane River clean. That effort received a big boost last week, with the Spokane Indians donating over $23,000 from the Redband Rally Fund
2025 Single Game Tickets On Sale Now!
The wait is over! The Spokane Indians are pleased to announce that single game tickets for all 66 home games of the 2025 season are ON SALE NOW. 🎟️ CLICK HERE FOR SINGLE GAME TICKETS 🎟️ This year's promotional schedule is packed with (20) Firework Nights, (6) Storybook Princess Nights,
We're Hiring—Apply Now for a Game Day Position!
We're hiring! Opening Night at Avista Stadium is just over two months away and the Spokane Indians are now accepting applications for our 2025 game day positions. The priority application deadline is Friday, February 7th. Our goal is to provide affordable family entertainment and excellent customer service to every guest
Catching Up with Paul Olden—the Voice of Yankee Stadium
Deal with the aftermath of a volcanic eruption. Survive an epic tirade from Tommy Lasorda. Replace the ‘Voice of God’. It’s all in a day’s work for Paul Olden. The former Spokane Indians radio broadcaster has crafted an unforgettable career highlighted by a dozen consecutive Super Bowls, Wade Boggs’ 3,000th
Spokane Indians in the Negro Leagues
The Negro Leagues emerged in the United States during the early 20th century as a response to the segregation and discrimination that barred Black players from participating in Major League Baseball. The first organized Negro league, the Negro National League (NNL), was founded in 1920 by Rube Foster, a former
The Ultimate Pokémon Baseball Team
Avista Stadium has been rife with Onix in the outfield, Magnemites on the mound, Pidgeys in the press box, and Digletts under the dugout during the off-season. Naturally, this got the front office of the Spokane Indians thinking about which Pokémon would make up the best baseball team and the
Top Five Black Players in Spokane Indians History
In celebration of Black History Month, teams across Minor League Baseball are taking a look back at five of the best Black players to suit up for their club. While some of these standout performers went on to long and illustrious Major League careers, others simply had great Minor League
Spokane Indians Announce 2025 Field Staff
The Colorado Rockies announced the 2025 field staff for the Spokane Indians today, with manager Robinson Cancel, pitching coach Blaine Beatty, and bench coach Tom Sutaris all returning to defend last year's Northwest League title. Rounding out the field staff is new hitting coach Trevor Burmeister, who spent the previous
Spoil Your Sweetheart with a Mascot Visit!
We know that Valentine's Day can be a busy and stressful time of the year. That's why the Spokane Indians have created a package specifically tailored to the needs of baseball fans in our community. Leave it to OTTO and RIBBY! ❤️ The Single - Our mascot team will send
In Memoriam: Local Baseball Figures We Lost in 2024
Al “The Bull” Ferrara (1939-2024): A native of Brooklyn, NY, Ferrara was a larger-than-life figure that played piano at Carnegie Hall as a teenager and appeared on episodes of Gilligan’s Island and Batman during his time in Los Angeles. "The Bull" spent four years in Spokane with his best season
Four Indians Alums Selected in Rule 5 Draft
A quartet of former Spokane Indians players will be suiting up for new organizations in 2025 after being selected in the Rule 5 Draft during baseball's Winter Meetings in Dallas. Right-hander Anderson Pilar was selected in the first round of the MLB phase by the Atlanta Braves while pitcher Anderson
Spokane's Top 24 Moments of the 2024 Season
24. Indians Trounce Canadians: The Indians had Vancouver's number all season long, recording a 20-8 record against the Canadians that included a 13-0 trouncing at Avista Stadium on Thursday, August 15th. One of Spokane's best single game efforts of the year saw Michael Prosecky and three relievers combine on a
Join Us for Cocoa with the Clauses at Avista Stadium!
Kick off your holidays in style with the Spokane Indians at this FREE community event! Fans can visit the team's new Sports Performance Center, take photos with our mascots and Santa Claus, enjoy complimentary hot cocoa, and finish your holiday shopping in the team store with 25% off all merchandise!
Emmanuel Clase Named AL Reliever of the Year
Emmanuel Clase capped off a historic season for the Cleveland Guardians with a pair of honors last week, earning a spot on the All-MLB First Team and being named Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year for the second time in the last three years. Clase is also one
Trio of Spokane Indians Win MLB Gold Glove Awards
The Spokane Indians were well represented on Sunday night when Major League Baseball (MLB) announced the 2024 Rawlings Gold Glove Awards on ESPN. Brenton Doyle took home his second consecutive National League Gold Glove Award in centerfield while Dylan Moore (American League - Utility) and Ezequiel Tovar (National League -
Kyle Karros Earns Rawlings Gold Glove Award®
Kyle Karros was good as gold at the hot corner all season long. Today, he received official recognition. The Spokane Indians third baseman was one of just nine Minor League recipients of a 2024 Rawlings Gold Glove Award® for defensive excellence as announced this morning by Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™)
Run the Table: 2024 Spokane Indians Season Recap
APRIL: The weather might have been cold but the Spokane Indians certainly weren't. The team started the season with eight straight wins—a new franchise record—and raced out to an early lead in the Northwest League standings that they would never relinquish. RECORD: 13-5 STAT OF THE MONTH: 1.84—the ERA of
SPO in the SHOW: 47 Indians Appear in MLB in '24
If you turned on a Major League Baseball game in 2024, there's a pretty good chance you saw a former Spokane Indians player in action. A total of 47 alums spread across 25 teams made at last one appearance in the big leagues this season, including 15 with the team's
The Dirty Dozen: 12 Indians Alums in MLB Playoffs
The quest for baseball's ultimate prize begins now. A dozen Indians alums spread across ten contenders will compete in this year's MLB Postseason, which kicks off today with the first four games of the Wild Card round. The Cleveland Guardians and San Diego Padres both have a pair of former
SPO to the SHOW: 15 Indians Make MLB Debuts in 2024
This year's Spokane Indians team enjoyed a memorable season, clinching both the first and second half Northwest League titles before defeating Vancouver in four games for the franchise's first championship since 2008. It was a banner year for former Indians player as well, with a total of 15 making their