The players picked by the Texas Rangers on Day Two of the MLB Draft
This will be updated during the day as each selection is made:
4th round — Mason McConnaughey, RHP, University of Nebraska. Made just three starts for Nebraska this season before his season was cut short due to an arm injury. 6’3”, 220 lb. righthander who pitched a season in JuCo ball before transferring to Nebraska after his freshman season. Ranked #386 on the BA board. Described as a strike-thrower with a three pitch mix.
5th round — Ben Abeldt, LHP, TCU. Another injured college pitcher, Abeldt underwent Tommy John surgery in February of 2025 and missed the season. His first two seasons at TCU, he was a reliever, and was expected to be a starter this season before his injury. 6’3”, 210 lbs., potential starter’s repertoire with a fastball/slider combo that could allow him to succeed in the bullpen if he can’t stick as a starter. #205 on MLB Pipeline, #291 on BA, #170 on Kiley McDaniel’s list.
6th round — Jack Wheeler, 3B, Morris High School in Illinois. I’ve got nothing on him. MLB.com listes him as 6’5”, 205 lbs.
7th round — Paxton Kling, OF, Penn State. Listed at 6’2”, 210 lbs, righthanded hitter, turned 22 in May. Kling was considered a top five round talent in 2022, per BA, but pulled his name from the draft and went to LSU. After struggling there for two seasons and going undrafted as a draft-eligible sophomore in 2024, he transferred to Penn State, and was much better as a junior, slashing .358/.470/.632 in 56 games. He is toolsy, with quality power, arm and speed, but issues with his hit tool and how much swing-and-miss he has. He is #162 on the MLB Pipeline board and #264 on the BA board.
8th round — Evan Siary, RHP, Mississippi State. Listed at 6’1”, 190 lbs. Turns 22 in October. A junior, Siary spent most of 2023 and 2024 working out of the bullpen. In 2025, he made 10 starts and five relief appearances totaling 54 innings, with a 4.00 ERA, striking out 72 and walking 15.
9th round — Owen Proksch, LHP, Duke University. Listed at 6’3”, 225 lbs. Turns 22 in December. A junior, Proksch was a reliever his first two seasons at Duke. His junior year he put up a 4.68 ERA in 12 starts and seven relief appearances, striking out 91 in 65.1 IP, walking 28 and hitting 18. #401 on the BA top 500 list. He throws his fastball 89-91, per BA, touching 94, and sweeping slider. Sounds like a likely reliever who will probably get looked at initially as a starter.
10th round — J.D. McReynolds, RHP, University of Central Missouri. Turned 22 in March. A senior listed at 6’4”, 220 lbs. He’s a reliever who put up a 1.41 ERA in 57.1 IP over 25 appearances last year, with 95 Ks against 19 walks.
11th round — Jacob Johnson, RHP, Pearl River Community Community. Just turned 19 years old in May. Missed his senior season of high school due to Tommy John surgery, and thus wasn’t drafted in 2024. Listed at 6’3”, 165 lbs. Low-90s fastball to go with a slider and changeup, but is projectable. Will pitch for Auburn in 2026 if he doesn’t sign.
12th round — Jake Barbee, RHP, Jay Robinson High School in North Carolina. Listed at 6’3”, 180 lbs., and turns 19 in August.
13th round — Aiden Robertson, RHP, Walters State Community College. Listed at 6’2”, 185 lbs. Turned 20 in April. Number #284 on the BA list. Committed to Virginia Tech.
14th round — Landon Manzi, RHP, Killingsly High School. Listed at 6’3”, 190 lbs. Won’t turn 18 until November. Northeastern University commit, based on his Twitter page.
15th round — Luke Hanson, SS, University of Virginia. Listed at 6’3”, 200 lbs. Junior. Turns 22 next month. Though announced as a shortstop he played mostly third base this past year. Had a 706 OPS as a junior, but slashed .278/.392/.412 over the course of his college career.
16th round — Jaxon Grossman, RHP, Salt Lake Community College. Listed at 6’4”, 220 lbs. 21 years old. Went to high school in Hawaii, pitched two 0.2 innings over two games for Utah as a freshman (he faced nine batters, walked two, hit one, gave up a homer to one, threw a wild pitch, and allowed four runs). MLB.com says he gets to 97 mph with his fastball and has a nice slider, but has poor command.
17th round — Noah Franklin, C, TNXL Academy in Florida. Listed at 6’1”, 215 lbs. Righthanded hitter. Turns 19 in September. More power than hit, per MLB.com, and the bat is ahead of the glove. Committed to the University of South Carolina.
18th round — Julius Sanchez, RHP, University of Illinois. Listed at 6’0”, 211 lbs. Turns 22 in October. He only made three starts for Illinois this year, after pitching out of the bullpen last year and splitting his time between the pen and the rotation in 2023. I’m guessing an injury shut down his season in 2025?
19th round — Corey Geinzer, RHP, College of Central Florida. Listed at 6’4”, 210 lbs. A freshman, Geinzer turned 19 earlier this month.
20th round — Jay McQueen, OF, Brandon High School in Mississippi. A rare righty hitting, lefty throwing position player. Listed at 6’2”, 185 lbs. Turns 19 in October. #269 on the BA board. Committed to South Alabama. Nice hit tool, some power potential, probably a corner outfielder long term.