ARLINGTON, TX — As the 2025 MLB Draft inches closer, whispers around the Texas Rangers’ front office suggest a surprising shift in strategy — one that could reshape the franchise’s future on the mound.
While most insiders expected Texas to lean toward a polished college bat at No. 12 overall, a draft-day twist may be in the works: the Rangers are reportedly showing strong, under-the-radar interest in Kyson Witherspoon, the rising right-handed ace out of Oklahoma who’s quickly becoming one of the most talked-about names in scouting circles.
Witherspoon, who just wrapped up a stellar season for the Sooners, finished 2025 with a 10-4 record, a sharp 2.65 ERA, and an eye-popping 124 strikeouts to just 23 walks.
Opposing hitters batted a meager .208 against him — proof of the kind of electric stuff that translates to the next level. And compared to his solid 2024 campaign, the jump in dominance this season has scouts labeling him one of the highest-upside arms outside the top 10.
What makes this potential pick even more fascinating is that it defies recent expectations. According to Baseball America’s Carlos Collazo, the Rangers have been more heavily connected to hitters in recent months. Yet, as Collazo notes, Witherspoon’s “impact upside” may be too good to pass up if he slides past the first 10 picks.
“He’s got everything you want in a modern pitcher,” one scout said. “Fastball rides, secondaries tunnel well, and the kid’s got ice in his veins. He looks like a future top-three starter — maybe more.”
For a franchise that already features promising young arms like Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker, adding a poised, battle-tested SEC pitcher to the pipeline would give Texas a formidable trio to build around — especially with Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi aging and fighting injuries.
And while this draft is deep in offensive talent, Witherspoon’s rise in the second half of the college season may be enough to shake up the board. Rangers fans still remember the shock of selecting Kumar Rocker higher than expected in 2022 — and that gamble signaled Texas isn’t afraid to bet on upside.
With the MLB Draft set for July 13–14 in Atlanta, and the Rangers holding the No. 12 overall pick, don’t be surprised if this “quiet” interest becomes a very loud headline on draft night. The SEC ace may not stay under the radar for long.
