Ahead of their game against the Houston Astros on Saturday, The Texas Rangers added a new face to the organization through the 2026 MLB Draft. 

With the 16th pick, the Rangers selected 19-year-old left-hander Gio Rojas out of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. Rojas was the second pitcher selected in Saturday's draft, and he was the sixth high school prospect that was drafted.

Rojas joins several players out of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that have made it to a major-league organization. The most recent is Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony, and others include Anthony Rizzo and Jesus Luzardo.

According to his MLB.com scouting profile, Rojas is touted as one of the best arms available in the draft class, regardless of high school or college. He is praised for his fastball, which can reach 98 mph and is described in the report as having "outstanding riding life."

Rojas is also lauded for his command, and he aids his fastball with a sweeping slider that serves as a dangerous secondary pitch. The report makes it clear that while Rojas does not often turn to his changeup, he has enough feel for it to serve as the third pitch in his arsenal.

At 6-foot-4 and 195 pounds, Rojas has an athletic frame that will benefit him on the mound. He has a knack for filling the strike zone, and scouts believe that his flaws, such as getting downhill and/or opening his delivery too quickly, are things that can be corrected easily.

Rojas' fastball and slider grade out at 60, and his changeup earned a grade of 50. Additionally, he earned a 55 for his control, which makes his overall grade 60 in the scouting report.

The Rangers have plenty of talent in terms of pitching prospects. Right-hander Caden Scarborough is No. 2 in the organization and No. 63 on the MLB top-100 list, and over half of Texas’ top-30 prospects are listed as pitchers, either as their only position or paired with another. Of the 17 pitching prospects in the organization's top-30 list, 14 are right-handers.

Given their deep stable of future arms and Rojas’ age, the Rangers can take their time with him and let him develop into a pitcher ready for the majors. Fans should not expect to see Rojas in the big leagues for quite some time, but it will be intriguing to follow the trajectory of his career early on.

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