Top three picks signed today in Arlingtonahead of introductory press conference;

Club also signs four non-drafted free agents

Arlington, Texas – The Texas Rangers today announced that the club has signed each of its top 18 selectionsin the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft, which took place July 11-12.

Among the 18 signees are first round pick LHP Gio Rojas, secondrounder SS Connor Comeau (pronounced KOH-moh), and third round selection LHP Brody Bumila (pronounced buh-MILL-uh).  Each of these Texas selections from the draft’s first three rounds formally signed their contracts today at Globe Life Field ahead of an introductorypress conference.

Each of the other 15 selections signed their contracts todayat the club’s facilities in Surprise, Arizona.

Additionally, the Rangers have signed four non-drafted freeagents who will also be at the club’s facility in Surprise:

C KARSON BOWEN– The 22-year-old Bowen batted .261 (55-211) with 7 home runs and 33 RBI in 55 games during his senior season at the University of Florida in 2026 where he served as the Gators’ primary backstop.  He spent the first three seasons of his collegiate career atTexas Christian University, totaling a .308 batting average, 16 home runs, and 112 RBI in 152 games for the Horned Frogs from 2023-25.  A native of Anaheim Hills, Calif., Bowen prepped at Orange Lutheran H.S., the same high school as current Rangers relieverCole Winn.

RHP BRANDON JAENKE– Jaenke, 23, logged 22 relief appearances for the University of Minnesota in 2026 as a graduate student, logging a 4.08 ERA (13 ER/28.2 IP) with 30 strikeouts against 14 walks.  Prior to his tenure as a Gopher, the righty competed for four years at ViterboUniversity in La Crosse Wis., going 13-16 with 2 saves and a 4.84 ERA in 49 games/30 starts for the Hawks.

C WAILELE KANE-YATES– Kane-Yates, 22, combined to hit .329 (136-414) with 19 home runs and 91 RBI in two seasons for Oral Roberts (Okla.) University from 2025-26, this after two seasons of junior college ball at Yavapai (Ariz.) College from 2023-24.  A native of Lihue, Hawaii,Kane-Yates is the nephew of former Rangers pitcher Kirby Yates.

C MITO PEREZ– The 23-year-old McAllen, Tex. native batted .297 (47-192) with 3 home runs, 18 RBI, and just 10 strikeouts in 192 plate appearances for Grand Canyon (Ariz.) University in 2026, his redshirt senior campaign. Perez played in parts of 4 seasons for TarletonState (Tex.) University from 2022-25 after graduating from Robert Vela (Edingburg, Tex.) High School in 2021.

– RANGERS –

RANGERS SELECTIONS IN THE 2026 MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL DRAFT (20)

Players in BOLD signed as of July 21, 2026 (18 of 20)

The Mariners have now signed 18 of 20 players selected in the 2026 MLB Draft

SEATTLE – Seattle Mariners Vice President of Amateur Scouting Scott Hunter announced today that the Mariners have signed 3B Ace Reese, the Mariners first pick (24^th overall selection) in the 2026 MLB First-Year Player Draft. Seattle has now signed 18 of the 20 players selected in the 2026 MLB Draft, including each of their first 17 selections.

Overall in the 2026 MLB First-Year Player Draft, the Mariners 20 total selections included 12 position players: third basemen Ace Reese, Trevor Lucas, Henry Ford, and Connor Shouse, outfielders Jake Brown, Hayden Yost, Charlie Sutherland, Dominic Santarelli, and Michael Petite, shortstop Ryan Wynn, second baseman Eric Jeon, and catcher Mason Eckelman. In addition, Seattle selected 7 right-handed pitchers: Nathan Taylor, Drew Whalen, Wyatt Queen, Connor Marshburn, Anthony Treto, Chris Diaz, Matthew Matthijs and 1 left-handed pitcher: Chris Torres.

All Major League teams have until July 27, 2026 to sign drafted players.

Seattle has also signed 5 undrafted players: OF Kyle Boylston (Florida Atlantic University), C Jacob Galloway (Oregon State University), C Jake Harvey (University of Nevada), INF Henry Kaczmar (Ohio State University) and RHP Isaac Thornton (East Texas Baptist University).

*Bold italics indicates player has signed

Venue: Angel Stadium — Anaheim, California

Scheduled First Pitch: 9:38 p.m. EDT (6:38 p.m. local)

Probable Pitchers:

STL: LHP Matthew Liberatore — 5–6, 5.00 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 88 K

LAA: RHP Walbert Ureña — 5–7, 2.88 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 78 K

Gametime Weather (Anaheim): ~73°F, typical mild coastal evening—neutral to slightly pitcher‑friendly.

Team context and recent form

St. Louis Cardinals

Record: 51–48 overall; 25–22 on the road; third in NL Central.

Last 10 games: 4–6, .199 AVG, 4.29 ERA, outscored by 8 runs.

Profile notes:

36–16 when they record at least eight hits—offensive volume is their win trigger.

Enter on a three‑game road skid, trying to stabilize on this West Coast swing.

Los Angeles Angels

Record: 40–61 overall; 23–27 at home; last in AL West.

Last 10 games: 4–6, .260 AVG, 4.29 ERA, outscored by 3 runs.

Profile notes:

21–43 in games when they allow a home run—HR prevention is critical for them.

Come in on a modest uptick, having taken Game 1 of the series 3–2.

Series history and matchup framing

Season series: Angels lead 1–0 after a 3–2 win on July 20.

Series context: Second game of a three‑game set; Cardinals are on a westward road trip, Angels trying to claw back some respectability at home.

This is a classic “small edge” matchup: St. Louis has the better record and deeper lineup, but Anaheim’s park and Ureña’s strong ERA keep the game close.

Current rosters and key bats

Cardinals key hitters

JJ Wetherholt (INF): 10 doubles, 14 HR, 38 RBI—listed as one of STL’s top performers.

Jimmy Crooks III (C): 3‑for‑13 with 2 HR over his last 10 games—small sample, but impact power.

St. Louis’ broader offensive identity is built around getting to that eight‑hit threshold; when they do, they win at a high clip. Wetherholt’s power and Crooks’ recent pop are central to that.

Angels key hitters

Jo Adell (OF): 15 doubles, 1 triple, 14 HR—middle‑order power bat.

Josh Lowe (OF): 4‑for‑31 with 2 HR over his last 10 games—slumping in average but still showing HR threat.

Zach Neto / Mike Trout / Nolan Schanuel: broader series preview notes Neto leading the team in HR, Trout close behind, Schanuel with the highest AVG.

The Angels’ lineup is volatile: plenty of power (Adell, Trout, Neto) but inconsistent contact and run production, which is why HR prevention/allowance correlates so strongly with their record.

Injury reports

Angels

Key names on the IL include:

Adam Frazier: 10‑Day IL (elbow).

Yusei Kikuchi: 60‑Day IL (shoulder).

Ben Joyce: 60‑Day IL (shoulder).

Travis d’Arnaud: 60‑Day IL (foot/plantar fasciitis).

Sebastián Rivero: 10‑Day IL (hand/hamate).

Yoán Moncada: 60‑Day IL (knee).

Jack Kochanowicz: 60‑Day IL (elbow).

Robert Stephenson: 60‑Day IL (elbow).

Anthony Rendon: 60‑Day IL (hip).

This cluster hits both bullpen depth and veteran position players, leaving the Angels leaning heavily on Trout, Neto, Adell, and Schanuel.

Cardinals

JoJo Romero: 15‑Day IL (appendix).

Max Rajcic: 60‑Day IL (elbow).

Ramón Urías: 60‑Day IL (elbow).

St. Louis’ injuries are more modest, mostly affecting bullpen and infield depth rather than core lineup pieces.

Pitching matchup: Liberatore vs. Ureña

Matthew Liberatore (STL, LHP)

Line: 5–6, 5.00 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 88 K.

Team performance: Cardinals are 10–9 ATS in his starts; 5–1 when he starts as a moneyline favorite.

Profile:

Left‑hander with decent strikeout numbers but elevated ERA and WHIP—traffic and damage are real risks.

When he’s ahead in counts and locating, he can be serviceable; when he falls behind, HR‑prone Angels bats can punish him.

Walbert Ureña (LAA, RHP)

Line: 5–7, 2.88 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 78 K.

Team performance: Angels are 12–3 ATS in his 15 starts; 6–8 as a moneyline underdog in those games.

Profile:

ERA and WHIP suggest solid run prevention and moderate traffic.

Angels have often been underdogs with him on the mound, but they’ve covered spreads well, indicating he keeps games close.

On paper, Ureña has the better run‑prevention profile; Liberatore has more volatility. That’s why the market prices this as nearly a pick’em despite the records.

Key player‑vs‑player matchups

1. Liberatore vs. Jo Adell / Zach Neto / Mike Trout

Adell: 14 HR, extra‑base power; can punish elevated fastballs or hanging breaking balls.

Neto/Trout: Neto leads the team in HR, Trout just behind; both have the plate skills to exploit a 5.00‑ERA lefty.

Liberatore’s success hinges on limiting HRs—if he keeps the ball in the park, St. Louis’ deeper lineup and road competence can carry them.

2. Ureña vs. JJ Wetherholt / Jimmy Crooks III

Wetherholt: 14 HR, 38 RBI—middle‑order bat who can drive in runs if Ureña’s WHIP leads to traffic.

Crooks: 2 HR in his last 13 AB—small sample, but shows he can change a game with one swing.

If Ureña keeps Wetherholt and Crooks to singles and scattered walks, Angels’ win probability rises; if one of them leaves the yard with men on, the Cardinals can flip the script.

3. Bullpen and HR dynamics

Angels are 21–43 when they allow a home run—their staff struggles to survive long‑ball games.

Cardinals are 36–16 when they record at least eight hits—volume and contact are their path.

Late‑inning leverage will revolve around whether St. Louis can reach that hit threshold and whether Anaheim can avoid giving up the big swing.

Team Betting Trends

Cardinals:

16–11 as favorites (approx.; 16–11 when favored by –112 or more).

40 overs in 97 games; 55–42 ATS.

Angels:

29–49 as moneyline underdogs (37.2% win rate).

26–47 when underdogs of –104 or longer.

Game Odds

St. Louis Cardinals           9

Los Angeles Angels         – 113

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, July 20, 2026

Venue: T‑Mobile Park — Seattle, Washington

Scheduled First Pitch: 9:40 p.m. EDT (6:40 p.m. local)

Probable Pitchers:

CIN: RHP Chase Burns — 11–1, 2.54 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 118 K

SEA: RHP Luis Castillo — 3–8, 4.93 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 81 K

Gametime Weather (Seattle): ~87°F, mild wind; T‑Mobile Park plays slightly pitcher‑friendly but warms up in this kind of weather.

Team context and recent form

Cincinnati Reds

Record: 45–54 overall; 23–26 on the road, 5th NL Central.

Last 10 games: 4–6, .252 AVG, 4.91 ERA, outscored by 7 runs.

Offensive profile:

.231 AVG, .311 OBP, .401 SLG.

414 runs, 761 hits, 152 doubles, 129 HR, 395 RBI.

4.2 runs/game (21st MLB).

Pitching profile:

4.57 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 822 hits allowed, 443 ER, 793 K, 427 BB.

133 HR allowed, FIP 4.89.

Bullpen: 21 saves in 38 chances (55.3%), 51 holds, 27% of inherited runners score.

Reds are a middling offense with decent power, backed by a high‑variance pitching staff that can be exposed by patient lineups.

Seattle Mariners

Record: 51–50 overall; 30–21 at home, 1st AL West.

Last 10 games: 4–6, .213 AVG, 3.82 ERA, outscored by 6 runs.

Offensive profile:

.228 AVG, .309 OBP, .377 SLG.

402 runs, 752 hits, 122 doubles, 118 HR, 387 RBI.

4.02 runs/game (28th MLB).

Pitching profile:

Staff WHIP 1.18, FIP 3.54; 3.85 RA/game.

Seattle is a run‑suppressed, pitching‑centric club; when they hit two or more homers, they’re 26–7, showing a strong correlation between power and wins.

Series history and matchup framing

Season series: Mariners lead 1–0 after an 8–0 win on July 20, powered by Victor Robles’ four‑hit game.

Standings context:

Reds are chasing relevance in the NL Central, 17.5 games back of Milwaukee.

Mariners sit atop the AL West but only marginally above .500, needing home wins to stabilize.

Game 2 is a leverage spot: Cincinnati sends its ace‑level arm (Burns) to stop a skid; Seattle counters with Castillo, trying to ride home dominance and power.

Current rosters and key bats

Reds key hitters

Sal Stewart (3B): 23 doubles, 20 HR, 69 RBI—primary middle‑order run producer.

Eugenio Suárez (INF): 8‑for‑37 last 10 games with 4 HR and 5 RBI—streaky power, currently showing pop.

TJ Friedl / Elly De La Cruz / others: Reds collectively carry a .311 OBP and .401 SLG, with enough speed/power mix to pressure defenses.

Reds’ offense isn’t elite, but Stewart and Suárez give them legitimate HR and RBI upside against any starter.

Mariners key hitters

Cole Young (INF): 14 doubles, 1 triple, 13 HR—steady power and gap hitting.

Randy Arozarena (OF): 9‑for‑34 last 10 games with 2 HR—current form bat with playoff‑style power.

Victor Robles (OF): Coming off a four‑hit game in the 8–0 win; not a classic slugger, but a spark plug when hot.

Seattle’s lineup is more about selective power than volume; when they connect for multiple homers, they’re extremely difficult to beat.

Injury reports

Mariners

Julio Rodríguez: day‑to‑day (undisclosed).

J.P. Crawford: day‑to‑day (undisclosed).

Brendan Donovan: 10‑Day IL (groin).

Rob Refsnyder: 10‑Day IL (knee).

Matt Brash: 15‑Day IL (lat).

Cooper Criswell, Carlos Vargas, Will Wilson, Logan Evans: all on 60‑Day IL (shoulder/lat/thumb/arm).

Rodríguez and Crawford’s day‑to‑day status is huge—if either is limited, Seattle loses top‑of‑order impact and defensive stability.

Reds

Blake Dunn: 10‑Day IL (elbow).

Nick Lodolo: 15‑Day IL (finger).

Matt McLain: 10‑Day IL (calf).

Brandon Williamson: 60‑Day IL (shoulder).

Tony Santillan: 15‑Day IL (oblique).

Graham Ashcraft: 60‑Day IL (forearm).

Cincinnati’s rotation depth is compromised (Lodolo, Williamson, Ashcraft), making Burns’ ability to work deep even more important.

Pitching matchup: Chase Burns vs. Luis Castillo

Chase Burns (Reds, RHP)

Career/season line: 11–1, 2.54 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 118 K.

Detailed metrics:

145 IP, 118 hits allowed (7.3 H/9), 53 BB, 185 K (high K‑rate).

ERA 3.16 in broader sample, FIP 3.11, WHIP 1.177.

Burns profiles as a legitimate frontline arm: strikeout stuff, limited hits, and strong run prevention. Against a low‑AVG Seattle lineup, he’s well‑positioned to dominate if his command holds.

Luis Castillo (Mariners, RHP)

Season line: 3–8, 4.93 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 81 K.

Context:

Mariners’ staff overall is strong (3.85 RA/game, 1.18 WHIP), but Castillo himself has underperformed relative to his ace reputation.

Castillo still has swing‑and‑miss capability, but his ERA and WHIP suggest more traffic and damage than in prior seasons. Against a Reds lineup with decent power, any lapse can turn into multi‑run innings.

Key player‑vs‑player matchups

1. Burns vs. Cole Young / Randy Arozarena

Cole Young: Balanced power and contact; if Burns keeps him off base, Seattle’s run creation shrinks.

Arozarena: Hot bat; if Burns falls behind, Arozarena can punish fastballs and elevate the Mariners’ HR‑driven win condition.

Burns’ K‑rate and WHIP give him the tools to win these matchups, but T‑Mobile’s moderate environment plus warm weather means mistakes can still leave the yard.

2. Castillo vs. Sal Stewart / Eugenio Suárez

Stewart: 20 HR, 69 RBI—classic middle‑order threat.

Suárez: 4 HR in his last 37 AB—currently seeing the ball well.

If Castillo can keep the ball down and avoid free passes, he can limit damage; if he allows baserunners ahead of these bats, Reds can flip the game with one swing.

3. Bullpen leverage

Reds pen: 55.3% save rate, 51 holds, 27% inherited runners scoring—middle of the pack but not lockdown.

Mariners pen: Backed by strong staff metrics (1.18 WHIP, 3.54 FIP), generally more reliable in run prevention.

In a tight game, Seattle’s bullpen edge can offset some of Castillo’s volatility.

Team Betting Tendencies

Mariners:

30–21 at home.

26–7 when hitting 2+ HR—power is their win trigger.

Reds:

23–26 on the road.

OBP .311 (10th in NL), suggesting they can grind ABs and force pitch counts.

Both teams are 4–6 in their last 10, so neither enters blazing hot; the edge comes from pitching and home field.

Game Odds

Cincinnati Reds                 7.5

Seattle Mariners              – 116

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, July 20, 2026

Venue: Chase Field — Phoenix, Arizona

Scheduled First Pitch: 9:40 p.m. EDT (6:40 p.m. local)

Probable Pitchers:

OAK: Jack Perkins (RHP) — 2–5, 6.87 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 72 K

ARI: Kohl Drake (LHP) — MLB debut/0–0 (listed as starter, no MLB stat line yet)

Gametime Weather (Phoenix): ~102°F, roof likely closed at Chase Field; environment plays closer to neutral but still favors carry on well‑struck balls.

Team context and recent form

Athletics

Record: 43–57 overall; 23–27 on the road (4th AL West).

Offense:

Team AVG: .248 (10th MLB).

448 runs, 846 hits, 124 HR, .325 OBP, .406 SLG.

Pitching:

5.34 ERA (29th MLB), 1.47 WHIP, .266 opponent AVG, 559 runs allowed.

Last 10 games: 2–8, .242 AVG, 7.29 ERA, outscored by 39 runs.

Oakland is in a rough stretch—rotation and bullpen are leaking runs, and even a solid offense hasn’t been able to cover that up.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Record: 51–49 overall; 29–22 at home (2nd NL West).

Offense:

Team AVG: .237 (21st MLB).

435 runs, 789 hits, 94 HR, .308 OBP, .387 SLG.

Pitching:

4.29 ERA (17th MLB), 1.29 WHIP, .252 opponent AVG, 449 runs allowed.

Last 10 games: 6–4, .240 AVG, 4.04 ERA, +7 run differential.

Arizona is trending up—solid recent form, especially at home, and they’ve been winning when the offense reaches five runs (37–8 in such games).

Series history and matchup framing

Season series: Athletics lead 1–0 after a 5–2 win on July 20, powered by a four‑hit game from Tommy White.

Standings context:

A’s are trying to stay afloat in a crowded AL West, sitting behind Seattle, Texas, and Houston.

D‑backs are in the NL West race, just above .500 and strong at home.

Game 2 becomes a small leverage spot: Arizona looking to immediately answer Monday’s loss, Oakland trying to steal a rare road series.

Current rosters and key bats

Athletics key hitters

Shea Langeliers (C/DH): 22 HR, .490 SLG — primary power bat; leads the team in homers.

Nick Kurtz (1B, currently IL but season leader): .263 AVG, 66 RBI — overall run‑production leader when healthy.

Tyler Soderstrom (1B/DH): 8‑for‑27 last 10 games with 3 HR and 6 RBI — hot form, secondary power source.

Tommy White (3B): Coming off a four‑hit game in the 5–2 win; clear short‑term momentum.

Oakland’s lineup is better than their record suggests—top‑10 in AVG, OBP, SLG, and HR compared to Arizona.

Arizona Diamondbacks key hitters

Ketel Marte (2B): .258 AVG, 19 doubles, 3 triples, 18 HR, 58 RBI, 30 BB — complete offensive engine.

Gabriel Moreno (C): 15‑for‑38 over last 10 games with 4 RBI — contact and recent form.

Corbin Carroll (OF): Day‑to‑day (elbow), but when active adds speed and on‑base threat.

Arizona’s offense isn’t as explosive as Oakland’s by raw numbers, but they’re efficient at home and have a clear “five‑run” win condition.

Injury reports

Diamondbacks injuries

Corbin Carroll (elbow, day‑to‑day)

Mike Soroka (15‑Day IL, lower body)

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (10‑Day IL, adductor)

Tommy Troy (10‑Day IL, shoulder)

Zac Gallen (15‑Day IL, elbow)

James McCann (10‑Day IL, quadriceps)

Blake Walston (60‑Day IL, elbow)

Jordan Lawlar (10‑Day IL, hamstring)

A.J. Puk (60‑Day IL, elbow)

Ryne Nelson, Corbin Burnes, Cristian Mena, Andrew Saalfrank, Justin Martinez — all on 60‑Day IL (elbow/shoulder).

Arizona is missing multiple rotation arms (Gallen, Burnes, Nelson) and several position players, which explains the debut/uncertain status of Kohl Drake.

Athletics injuries

Zack Gelof (10‑Day IL, knee)

Nick Kurtz (10‑Day IL, thumb)

Justin Sterner (15‑Day IL, knee)

Luis Severino (60‑Day IL, shoulder)

Brooks Kriske (60‑Day IL, shoulder)

Brent Rooker (60‑Day IL, knee)

Denzel Clarke (60‑Day IL, foot)

Gunnar Hoglund (60‑Day IL, knee)

Oakland’s injuries hit both rotation and middle‑order power (Rooker, Kurtz, Gelof), but they still retain Langeliers, Soderstrom, and White.

Pitching matchup: Jack Perkins vs. Kohl Drake

Jack Perkins (Athletics, RHP)

Season line: 2–5, 6.87 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 57.2 IP, 60 hits, 10 HR allowed, 72 K, 23 BB.

Profile:

Strikeout upside (72 K in 57.2 IP) but ERA near 7.00 indicates command/HR issues.

Opponents hitting .267 against him; contact has been loud.

Perkins is high‑variance: he can miss bats, but when he misses spots, damage is big. In a hitter‑friendly park, that volatility is magnified.

Kohl Drake (Diamondbacks, LHP)

Season line: Listed as 0–0; effectively a fresh arm with no established MLB stat line yet.

Context:

Arizona’s rotation injuries have opened the door for Drake.

As a left‑hander, he’ll immediately be tested by right‑handed power (Langeliers, Soderstrom, White).

With no MLB track record, Drake introduces uncertainty—models will lean on minor‑league data and park factors, but from a betting standpoint, he’s a wild card.

Key player‑vs‑player matchups

1. Perkins vs. Ketel Marte

Why it matters:

Marte is Arizona’s most complete hitter—extra‑base power, plate discipline, and RBI production.

Perkins’ HR and contact profile make him vulnerable to a switch‑hitter who punishes mistakes.

If Perkins can keep Marte to singles and avoid multi‑run extra‑base hits, Oakland’s path to an upset stays open.

2. Drake vs. Shea Langeliers / Tyler Soderstrom / Tommy White

Cluster threat:

Langeliers’ 22 HR and .490 SLG anchor Oakland’s power.

Soderstrom’s recent 3 HR in 27 AB and White’s four‑hit game show current form.

A debuting lefty vs a right‑handed power cluster is a classic volatility spot—if Drake commands, he can neutralize them; if not, Oakland can jump early.

3. Bullpen leverage

Oakland staff: 5.34 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 847 K, 387 BB; opponents hitting .267.

Arizona staff: 4.29 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 681 K, 289 BB; opponents hitting .252.

Arizona’s bullpen and overall staff are significantly better; in a close game, that edge is huge.

Team Betting Trends

Athletics:

42–57/43–57 overall depending on source cut‑off; 22–27/23–27 away.

Offense superior to Arizona in AVG, runs, hits, HR, OBP, SLG.

Pitching significantly worse (5.33–5.34 ERA, .267 BAA).

Diamondbacks:

51–48/51–49 overall; 29–21/29–22 at home.

4–1 in last five, scoring 5+ runs in four of those.

37–8 when scoring at least five runs.

Game Odds

Athletics                                              9.5

Arizona Diamondbacks                 – 132

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, July 20, 2026