If Texas Rangers outfield prospect Paxton Kling had declared for the MLB Draft coming out of high school, chances are he might have never made it to the Lone Star State.

Kling was seen as someone who could have been taken off the board in the draft’s first three rounds out of high school, but he chose to honor his commitment to LSU.

During his freshman season with the Tigers, Kling showed flashes of huge potential in his freshman year as part of the 2023 national championship team that featured Paul Skenes and Dylan Crews.

However, after a tough sophomore and junior campaign with the Bayou Bengals, Kling transferred back home to join the Penn State Nittany Lions, where he broke out.

In his lone season at Penn State, Kling hit .358 with a .470 OBP and a .632 SLG with 13 home runs and 15 stolen bases.

Kling’s strong season prompted the Rangers to draft him in the seventh round and sign him for $375,000, which is considered over-slot for a seventh-round pick.

It didn’t take long for Kling to get off to a quick start in pro ball as he hit .368 in 10 games with Single-A Hickory in 2025, prompting him to be promoted to finish out the season at High-A Hub City.

With some pro experience under his belt, Kling was able to rise all the way up to Double-A Frisco in 2026 and become Texas’ 20th-ranked prospect.

After a solid minor-league season, Kling accepted a spot in the Arizona Fall League, and to say he’s been making the most of it might be an understatement.

Kling has played in nine games for the Surprise Saguaros and has been one of the best players in the young AFL season.

In those nine games, Kling has hit .382 with an OBP of .500, a SLG of .471, and an OPS of .971.

Additionally, Kling has knocked in eight runs, scored five, and managed to steal more bases (eight) than times he’s struck out (seven).

Speed and defense are no doubt some of Kling’s strong suits, and he’s been able to show that with the Saguaros as well.

Now with some Double-A experience and a strong Fall League, there’s no denying that Kling could be one of the Rangers' prospects to watch for in 2027. It shouldn’t come as a surprise if he is able to climb his way up the ranks of the Texas system next year.