The Texas Rangers made a major step forward in solidifying their 2025 MLB Draft class by officially signing their first-round pick, infielder Gavin Fien. The deal was announced Monday night, signaling the organization’s confidence in Fien’s future as a key piece of their farm system. Alongside Fien, the Rangers also finalized contracts with fourth-rounder Mason McConnaughey, fifth-rounder Ben Abeldt, and 18th-rounder Julius Sanchez.
Fien, a standout shortstop out of Temecula, California, turned 18 just this past March and has been widely regarded as one of the most polished high school hitters in the 2025 draft. While he played shortstop at the prep level, most evaluators project a move to third base at the professional level due to his size and arm strength. Fien bats right-handed and possesses a rare mix of bat-to-ball skills and developing power, making him one of the most intriguing high-upside position players to come out of this year’s high school class.
The Rangers signed Fien for a reported $4.8 million, which comes in nearly $1 million below the assigned slot value of $5.75 million for his draft position. That under-slot deal gives the Rangers added financial flexibility to allocate resources toward other picks who may require higher bonuses to forego college commitments.
Among those signed under slot is Mason McConnaughey, a right-handed pitcher from the University of Nebraska. McConnaughey agreed to a deal worth $495,825, which is under the $661,100 value assigned to his fourth-round draft slot. A strike-thrower with solid command and a developing slider, McConnaughey brings mid-rotation upside if he continues to develop his secondary pitches.
The Rangers also reached an agreement with Ben Abeldt, a left-handed pitcher from TCU, for $450,000—below the fifth-round slot value of $489,200. Abeldt had an impressive college career with the Horned Frogs but saw limited action this past season due to injury. When healthy, he’s known for a deceptive delivery and the ability to generate swings and misses from both sides of the plate.
Completing the quartet of signings is Julius Sanchez, an 18th-round selection and right-handed pitcher from the University of Illinois. Sanchez’s junior season was also cut short by injury, but the Rangers clearly saw enough potential to offer him a $150,000 signing bonus, the maximum allowed for players selected after the 10th round without counting against the team’s bonus pool.
With all four signings coming in below their respective slot values, the Rangers now have approximately $1.15 million in surplus bonus pool money. That extra flexibility could prove crucial in locking down some of their remaining unsigned selections, particularly high-upside prep players who might otherwise choose the college route.
The signing of Gavin Fien not only adds a premier bat to the Rangers’ farm system but also sets the tone for the rest of the draft class. His maturity at the plate and natural instincts in the infield have drawn comparisons to past standout prospects who rose quickly through the minors. While Fien will likely begin his pro career in rookie ball or the Arizona Complex League, expectations are already growing for what he might become in the years ahead.
For a Rangers organization that continues to prioritize youth and player development, this week’s signings represent an encouraging step toward building the next wave of talent to support a big-league team aiming to remain competitive for years to come.
