The Texas Rangers did not select a player in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 Draft, though they did execute a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates. They did, however, select right-handed pitcher Jonathan Brand from the Boston Red Sox’s Double-A roster in the Minor League phase.
Rangers Acquire Rule 5 Pick From Pittsburgh
The Rangers did not pick anyone in the Major League portion of the Rule 5 draft, but they did manage to come away with a Rule 5 pick, nonetheless. They made a trade with the Pirates who had the 5th selection. They traded Jailer Garcia and cash considerations to Pittsburgh
Player Profile
Brand, 5’9, 200 lbs, will turn 26 on Feb. 20, 2026, was drafted by the Red Sox in the eighth round of the 2022 draft out of Miami University (Ohio). He was first assigned to the Florida Complex League (FCL), where he pitched two innings and struck out three batters.
Brand possesses a five-pitch arsenal: a fastball (89–92 mph), curveball (76–80 mph), sweeper (79–83 mph), changeup (83–85 mph), and slider (85–87 mph).
Brand has exclusively pitched out of the bullpen and has not made a start since being drafted.
2023 Season (Low-A)
Brand spent the entire 2023 season in Low-A with the Salem Red Sox. He posted a 2.58 ERA over 38.1 innings, issuing 14 walks and striking out 47. His metrics included a 0.991 WHIP and an impressive 11 strikeouts per nine innings.
2024 Season (High-A/Double-A)
During the 2024 season, he split time between High-A and Double-A.
- Greenville Drive (High-A): He pitched 11.2 innings, allowing only one unearned run before his promotion.
- Portland Sea Dogs (Double-A): He logged 44.1 innings with a 4.67 ERA, recording 19 walks and 33 strikeouts for a 1.421 WHIP.
2025 Season (High-A/Double-A/Triple-A)
In 2025, Brand saw action at three different levels:
- Greenville Drive (High-A): He pitched 20.1 innings and held an exceptional 0.89 ERA, issuing only four walks while striking out 18.
- Portland Sea Dogs (Double-A): He threw another 31.0 innings, posting a 3.48 ERA with 12 walks and 41 strikeouts.
- Worcester Red Sox (Triple-A): His lone appearance came on April 27, where he allowed four runs on one hit and four walks before being sent back to Double-A.
For the 2025 season, Brand held right-handed batters to a .228 average and left-handed batters to a .219 average.
The Texas Rangers have assigned him to their Triple-A affiliate, the Round Rock Express.
The Rangers lost two of their prospects that were selected by other teams.
– RHP Jackson Kelley (TEX AA roster) by the Chicago White Sox.
– RHP Kyle Larsen (TEX A roster) by the Pittsburgh Pirates.