SURPRISE, Ariz. — In late January, after the Texas Rangers swung a deal that sent significant prospect capital east in order to improve the major league roster, general manager Ross Fenstermaker rationalized the club’s moves as “the price we pay in order to compete.”
Oh, yeah, they’ve paid a price.
The Rangers have dealt eight top 30 prospects, per MLB Pipeline’s evaluations, since last summer’s trade deadline. They shipped three to the Arizona Diamondbacks for right-handed pitcher Merrill Kelly to bolster their rotation midseason and another five to the Washington Nationals for MacKenzie Gore last month to do the same thing.
That’s the cost of big league improvement. It’ll also ding the depth of a farm system. The Rangers have the No. 22 farm system per ESPN, the No. 24 farm system per Baseball America and the No. 25 farm system per USA TODAY.
Rangers
The success of the farm system, much like the major league roster, will be predicated on how a number of position player prospects respond to down seasons. Baseball America, which hasn’t ranked the club’s system this low since the 2021 season, said it “needs major rebounds from its near-proximity prospects to supplement the big league roster.”
Their collective progression will determine where the farm stands this time next year. Until then, though, it’s time to begin the daily countdown of The Dallas Morning News’ top 30 prospects.
No. 26: RHP Paul Bonzagni
Age: 23
Height/weight: 6-3, 180
B/T: R/R
Who he is: The Rangers drafted Bonzagni in the 12th round of the 2023 draft out of Southern Illinois and gave him a $150,000 bonus. Bonzagni, a Grapevine native, is one of three pitchers in the organization who graduated from Southlake Carroll. The others are left-handed pitchers Tyler Alexander and Owen Proksch. He missed the majority of last season with an elbow injury and ultimately underwent Tommy John surgery.
Why he’s here: Bonzagni, who was set to work as a full-time starter for the first time, seemed primed for a breakout season last year before his injury sidetracked him. An elite groundball pitcher, he had a 3.73 ERA in 16 starts split between Low-A Down East and High-A Hickory the year prior, struck out 95 batters in 85 total innings and walked fewer than three batters per innings. His fastball (which touched 99 mph before his injury) and slider “each grade as potentially plus offerings” per Baseball America. He was only able to throw 9⅓ innings at High-A Hub City before he was shut down.
What’s his future: Bonzagni, who underwent Tommy John surgery Aug. 11, could possibly miss the entire season as he recovers from his second elbow reconstruction surgery in a five-year span. There’s a chance that he could pitch in the Arizona Fall League should his rehabilitation be completed without any hiccups. Bonzagni turns 24 years old in April and will have effectively missed two seasons of baseball by the start of next year. He’ll need to stay healthy and show signs of development on his secondary pitches, like his changeup, to stick in the rotation.
Where he’ll start/MLB ETA: High-A Hub City if healthy; 2028
SportsDay Rangers Episode 27: The one with Benji GilLive Q&A: Evan Grant answers your questions from Rangers spring training Friday afternoon
Find more Rangers coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.