Texas Rangers Target SEC Pitcher in Latest MLB Mock Draft
The Texas Rangers are once again focusing on pitching with their first-round pick in the upcoming MLB Draft, marking their first selection of a pitcher since 2022.
While the Rangers currently have a fairly stable starting rotation, their long-term pitching depth is a key area for improvement. The team is banking on Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi to be the core of their rotation for the next couple of years. Meanwhile, former first-round picks Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker are now integral parts of the starting rotation.
However, beyond these four pitchers, the situation becomes more uncertain. Veterans Patrick Corbin and Tyler Mahle—both of whom are free agents after this season—are dealing with injuries, while Jon Gray is also nearing a return from injury. Cody Bradford, who underwent elbow surgery, will be sidelined for the season.
The Rangers’ potential fifth starter, prospect Kohl Drake, has recently been promoted to Triple-A Round Rock, making it a good time for the team to consider adding more pitching depth to their system.
In its most recent mock draft, Baseball America projected the Rangers selecting Oklahoma pitcher Kyson Witherspoon at No. 12. Witherspoon, a right-hander, finished his second season with a 10-4 record and a 2.65 ERA, improving upon his 2024 performance where he posted an 8-2 record with a 3.79 ERA. He also had an impressive strikeout-to-walk ratio in 2025, striking out 124 batters and walking just 23, compared to 86 strikeouts and 38 walks the year before. Opposing batters hit only .208 against him this season, down from .222 in 2024.
Although Baseball America’s Carlos Collazo noted that the Rangers have shown more interest in hitters than pitchers, he pointed out that the team might change their approach depending on how the draft unfolds. If Witherspoon slides out of the top 10, his potential impact might be too good for the Rangers to pass up.
The 2025 MLB Draft will take place on July 13-14, during All-Star Weekend in Atlanta.
Looking back at their recent drafts, the Rangers’ last five first-round picks include Stanford catcher Malcolm Moore (2024), Florida outfielder Wyatt Langford (2023), Vanderbilt pitchers Kumar Rocker (2022) and Jack Leiter (2021), and Mississippi State infielder Justin Foscue (2020). Langford is currently the Rangers’ starting left fielder, while Rocker and Leiter are now part of the Texas rotation. Foscue made his MLB debut last season and has been up and down with the big league club since then. Moore is currently playing at High-A Hub City.
No Comment! Be the first one.