Rangers protect prospects Davalillo, Lopez, and Ortiz, preventing Rule 5 Draft eligibility and securing future club depth.
As the offseason continues to take shape, the Texas Rangers made an important round of roster decisions on Tuesday by adding three of their rising prospects to the 40-man roster. This move protects these talented players from being eligible in the upcoming Rule 5 Draft, scheduled for December 10 during the Winter Meetings in Orlando, Florida. By locking in their rights early, the organization ensures that three promising young players, David Davalillo, Leandro Lopez, and first baseman/outfielder Abimelec Ortiz, will stay vital parts of the Rangers’ developmental pipeline.
Davalillo, who quickly emerged as one of the most dominant arms in the system, earned recognition as the club’s 2025 Minor League Pitcher of the Year. His performance across two levels left little doubt about his trajectory. Splitting the season between High-A Hub City and Double-A Frisco, the 23-year-old posted a stellar 2.44 ERA and held opponents to a .184 batting average, all while maintaining elite command. Over 107 innings, Davalillo recorded 126 strikeouts against only 28 walks, numbers that reflect both his swing-and-miss ability and his improved efficiency on the mound. His addition to the roster was all but expected given his rapid ascent and consistency throughout the year.
Lopez, also 23, showcased his own breakout season while splitting time between Hub City and Frisco. Over the course of 101 1/3 innings, he compiled an impressive 2.40 ERA, demonstrating durability and the ability to navigate lineups at multiple levels. Before his mid-season promotion to Double-A in late July, Lopez stood out in the South Atlantic League, ranking among the top performers in ERA with a 2.19 mark through 14 starts. His growth and command profile made him a strong candidate for protection, especially as teams often seek polished pitching during the Rule 5 process.
Rounding out the group is Ortiz, one of the organization’s most feared power hitters and the Rangers’ 2023 Minor League Player of the Year. In 2025, he continued to showcase his offensive upside while splitting time between Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock. Across 130 games, Ortiz delivered a .257/.356/.479 slash line and tallied 25 home runs with 89 RBIs. While first base remains his natural home defensively, the Rangers expanded his versatility this year, giving him starts in right field and at designated hitter.
By adding these three high-upside talents, the Rangers strengthen their organizational depth and protect a trio of players who could factor into the big-league picture very soon.