The Texas Rangers took another important step toward shaping their future on Monday, officially announcing the signing of their 2025 first-round pick, shortstop Gavin Fien. Drafted No. 12 overall, Fien becomes the latest top talent to commit to Texas as the organization continues locking down its newest wave of prospects.
Although the Rangers did not release the financial details of the deal, MLB Pipeline’s draft tracker indicates that Fien’s slot value for the 12th overall pick was approximately $5.75 million. The move brings the total number of 2025 draftees signed by the Rangers to four, joining Nebraska right-hander Mason McConnaughey (4th round), TCU lefty Ben Abeldt (5th round), and Illinois pitcher Julius Sanchez.
Fien, a highly regarded prep product from Great Oak High School in Temecula, California, gained national attention with strong performances on the summer circuit. Despite battling some inconsistency in his final high school season, his offensive potential and raw athleticism impressed scouts. While he was drafted as a shortstop, there’s growing speculation that he may eventually move to third base or first base at the professional level, depending on how his body and skill set mature.
This marks the first time since 2020 that Texas has selected an infielder in the first round. The club’s recent top picks reflect a balanced approach to roster-building: outfielder Wyatt Langford (2023) is now the team’s starting left fielder, and right-handed pitchers Kumar Rocker (2022) and Jack Leiter (2021) are progressing through the system with hopes of becoming fixtures in the Rangers’ starting rotation. Justin Foscue (2020), another infielder, has made his MLB debut and continues to shuffle between Triple-A and the big leagues. Meanwhile, Stanford catcher Malcolm Moore, Texas’ 2024 first-round selection, is currently playing at High-A.
The Rangers’ front office continues to focus on securing their top draftees quickly to give them a head start in the minor league system. McConnaughey and Abeldt—both college juniors—opted to turn pro despite injury-shortened seasons that caused their draft stock to slide. Their signings signal the Rangers’ willingness to invest in long-term upside, even with pitchers coming off setbacks.
Under MLB draft rules, each pick in the first 10 rounds is assigned a slot value. Teams can negotiate deals at, above, or below these amounts, with remaining funds redistributed across their bonus pool. Picks in rounds 11–20 can be signed for up to $150,000 without affecting that pool.
With Gavin Fien now officially in the fold, the Rangers’ 2025 class is beginning to take shape—and their fans have yet another reason to be excited about the team’s long-term vision.
