The Rangers are getting close to a decision that could make a lot of people in North Texas very happy.
With the 2026 MLB draft set for Saturday, July 11, through Sunday, July 12, one name has started to surface more often around Texas: Sawyer Strosnider. The TCU outfielder has spent his last two seasons in Fort Worth, and he looks like a real possibility for the Rangers at No. 16 overall in the first round.
Strosnider fits the profile of a middle-of-the-round first-rounder. Baseball America has him at No.
14, Fangraphs at No. 15, Keith Law at No. 19 and Baseball Prospectus at No. 10 overall.
If Texas wants to stay local, he may be right there for the taking.
What makes Strosnider so appealing is the bat. He’s a left-handed hitter with a loud swing, real bat speed and the kind of leverage that points to future power. He’s already cleared the 110 MPH mark with ease, and his college production backs it up: 24 career homers and a .623 slugging percentage.
The power isn’t the only thing that stands out. Strosnider has also shown better plate discipline, which is a big part of why he’s drawn so much attention.
In 2026, he walked 43 times in just 184 at-bats, and he walked almost as often as he struck out. He also more than doubled his freshman walk total of 20 in 17 fewer plate appearances.
There are still some questions. His numbers against left-handed pitching have dragged down his stock, and he also had a rough month to finish the season.
That has led some draft evaluators to wonder whether he’ll settle in as an everyday player. Even so, he’s only 21 and has the kind of athleticism that gives him room to grow.
That athleticism shows up everywhere. Strosnider has plus speed, plus arm strength and is regarded as one of the best athletes in the 2026 class. He stole 22 bases over his two seasons at TCU, and he’s also considered a plus defender in the outfield.
For the Rangers, the fit goes beyond the scouting report. Strosnider played high school ball at Brock High School in Weatherford and then starred at TCU, so he already has Texas roots that would make him an easy favorite with the fan base.
If he’s still on the board at No. 16, Texas could land a local name who checks a lot of boxes.
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