The Texas Rangers are steadily assembling their 2025 draft class, officially inking deals with a large group of selections—including two of their most highly regarded prospects, A.J. Russell and Josh Owens.
Russell, a right-handed pitcher out of the University of Tennessee, was selected in the second round but carried first-round pedigree before suffering a season-ending elbow injury that required internal brace surgery. Despite the setback, the Rangers showed full confidence in his long-term potential, awarding him a $2.6 million signing bonus—well above the recommended $1.85 million slot value for the 52nd overall pick. The move highlights the organization’s willingness to invest in high-upside talent, even when it comes with medical concerns.
Owens, a high school shortstop also from Tennessee, went in the third round and received a $1.1 million signing bonus, according to MLB.com’s Jim Callis. His deal also exceeded his draft slot, which was valued at $950,100. Scouts have praised Owens’ athleticism and defensive instincts, with the Rangers likely envisioning him as a long-term infield project with high ceiling potential.
In addition to Russell and Owens, the Rangers also confirmed the signings of several other players taken between rounds 6 and 17. That group includes:
6th Round (Jack Wheeler) – A right-hander known for his strong command and developing off-speed pitches.
7th Round (Paxton Kling) – An athletic outfielder with impressive raw tools and speed.
8th Round (Evan Siary) – A college pitcher noted for his durability and strike-throwing ability.
9th Round (Owen Proksch) – Another right-hander, known for his late-game poise and potential bullpen upside.
10th Round (JD McReynolds) – A versatile position player with a solid offensive track record.
11th Round (Jacob Johnson) – A college infielder known for his consistency at the plate.
12th Round (Jake Barbee) – A lefty bat with power potential.
15th Round (Luke Hanson) – A middle infielder with strong instincts and high baseball IQ.
17th Round (Noah Franklin) – A hard-throwing righty from the high school ranks.
This flurry of signings comes just a day after the Rangers made official the signing of their first-round pick, right-handed pitcher Gavin Fien, who was selected 14th overall. Along with Fien, three other draftees signed contracts on the same day, giving the Rangers early momentum in finalizing their draft class.
As of now, just four picks remain unsigned:
Aiden Robertson (13th Round) – A JUCO pitcher with mid-90s velocity.
Landon Manzi (14th Round) – A high school infielder with a commitment to a strong college program.
Cory Geinzer (19th Round) – Another JUCO product with strikeout stuff.
Jay McQueen (20th Round) – A high-upside high school pitcher with long-term developmental potential.
With a majority of their selections now under contract, the Rangers have positioned themselves well in the early post-draft period. The aggressive approach, particularly the over-slot bonuses for Russell and Owens, signals the front office’s intent to prioritize talent acquisition over draft pool constraints—especially when it comes to players with the potential to impact the big league roster in the future.
