The Texas Rangers will send three of their top 30 prospects to the Arizona Fall League.
With the minor-league regular season nearing its conclusion, the Arizona Fall League provides one more opportunity for prospects to take the field before the offseason begins.
For the Texas Rangers, the upcoming six-week event will feature three of their top 30 prospects, giving some of the organization’s most intriguing young players additional chances to compete against advanced competition.
The Rangers’ group will play for the Surprise Saguaros and includes right-handed pitcher Jacob Johnson, outfielder Paxton Kling, and right-hander Mason McConnaughey. Catcher Julian Brock, right-hander Alejandro Chiquillo, second baseman Casey Cook, right-hander J’Briell Easley, and right-hander Jesus Gamez round out Texas’ representatives.
Johnson enters the Fall League as the Rangers’ No. 17 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, and will be one of the more interesting players to follow among the organization’s pitching prospects.
The 2025 Draft selection has several characteristics that could allow him to remain in a starting rotation as he progresses. His arsenal is led by a sinker in the low-90s, while his slider gives him another pitch capable of generating swings and misses. Johnson’s ability to throw strikes and repeat his delivery adds to his potential as a starter.
The AFL could give Johnson an opportunity to continue refining that profile against hitters who are also further along in their development.
Kling, meanwhile, brings a different set of tools to the Rangers’ Fall League roster. The outfielder ranks No. 20 in the organization and was also selected by Texas in the 2025 Draft.
His defensive ability gives him a chance to remain in center field, while his offensive upside could ultimately determine how quickly he moves toward the major leagues. Kling possesses the potential to become a threat in both the power and stolen-base departments, with a 25-homer, 25-steal season within his range.
The question surrounding Kling has largely centered on whether his bat will develop enough to consistently take advantage of those physical tools. More at-bats in Arizona should give him another opportunity to address that part of his game.
McConnaughey represents another intriguing development story. The right-hander is ranked No. 30 among Rangers prospects and, like Johnson and Kling, was part of Texas’ 2025 Draft class.
Unlike the other two prospects, however, McConnaughey is still working his way back from Tommy John surgery performed in March 2025. His return to competitive action makes his Fall League assignment particularly important as he continues rebuilding his workload.
McConnaughey profiles as more of a finesse starter, relying on his ability to execute rather than overwhelming hitters with velocity. The AFL can provide valuable innings as Texas evaluates his progress and determines the next stage of his development.
The Fall League season begins Oct. 3 and runs through Nov. 14, when the championship game will be played at Peoria Stadium. The Fall Stars Game is scheduled for Nov. 8 at Salt River Fields.
For the Rangers, the event offers more than an additional month of baseball. It gives Johnson, Kling, McConnaughey, and the rest of the organization’s representatives another chance to develop, compete, and enter the offseason with meaningful experience against some of baseball’s best young talent.
