The Rangers introduced Tuesday that they’ve chosen the contracts of infielder Justin Foscue, right-hander Marc Church, lefty Antoine Kelly and righty Jose Corniell to the 40-man roster. All are actually shielded from subsequent month’s Rule 5 Draft.
Foscue, 24, is probably probably the most recognizable identify for followers. The 14th total decide again in 2020, he’s ranked among the many group’s high prospects since that point. He turned in a sound .266/.394/.468 slash in Triple-A Spherical Rock this 12 months, including 18 homers and 14 steals with extra walks (15.1%) than strikeouts (12.4%). Foscue has labored primarily as a second baseman within the minors, although as a consequence of questions on his glovework, he’s additionally seen elevated time on the infield corners.
Church was an 18th-round decide by Texas again in 2019. Now 22 years previous, he break up the 2023 season between Double-A and Triple-A, working to a mixed 3.63 ERA with a mixed 29.5% strikeout fee however 11.2% stroll fee. All however two of Church’s appearances on the season got here in a reduction position, which is how he’ll seemingly be used on the large league roster if he makes his debut subsequent 12 months. Provided that he already has 44 Triple-A frames beneath his belt and is now on the 40-man roster, there’s a good probability of that taking place.
Kelly, 24 subsequent month, was the Brewers’ second-round decide in 2019. He landed within the Rangers group as a part of Texas’ return for reliever Matt Bush on the 2022 commerce deadline. Kelly break up the 2023 season between the bullpen for the Rangers’ Double-A and Triple-A associates, working to a mixed 2.04 ERA with a gaudy 32.1% strikeout fee in opposition to a 9.3% stroll fee. Like Church, he may very well be a bullpen choice as quickly because the 2024 season.
Corniell, 20, was the participant to be named later the Rangers obtained of their 2020 commerce sending Rafael Montero to the Mariners. He break up the season between the Rangers’ two A-ball associates, working as a starter and posting a composite 2.92 ERA with a 29.8% strikeout fee, 7.8% stroll fee and 39% ground-ball fee in 101 2/3 innings. He’s unlikely to emerge as a viable massive league choice subsequent 12 months, however the Rangers have been excessive sufficient on his arm and the success he had in opposition to rather more superior competitors that they’ll dedicate a 40-man roster spot to him anyhow.
