Baseballs from batting practice are on the field at PNC Park before a baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Milwaukee Brewers, Tuesday, April 26, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
The Pittsburgh Pirates selected right-handed pitcher Carter Baumler from the Baltimore Orioles with the fifth pick in the 2025 draft and are trading him to the Texas Rangers, a source told Pittsburgh Baseball Now.
In return, the Pirates are receiving minor-league right-handed pitcher Jaiker Garcia and cash considerations.
Garcia, who began his career as an infielder, made 18 appearances in the Arizona Complex League last season and went 3-3 with a 4.66 ERA, two saves, 14 walks and 26 strikeouts in 19.1 innings. The soon-to-be 21-year-old has a 0.77 ERA in 11 relief appearances in the Venezuelan Winter League.
Baumler, who turns 24 years old next month, went 2-0 with a 2.04 ERA and pair of saves across three levels (the highest of which was Double-A) in 2025. In 39.2 innings, he allowed 25 hits, walked 18 and struck out 46.
A fifth-round pick of the Orioles out of high school in the 2020 draft who signed an over-slot deal for $1.5 million, Baumler is 7-1 with a 3.05 ERA across 49 appearances/10 starts. He’s totaled 88.2 innings with 104 strikeouts and 40 walks.
Rule 5 Draft picks go directly on a team’s active roster and must remain there for the entire season (unless injured) or else be offered back to the original organization.
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