In the summer of 2020, RHP Carter Baumler had a huge decision to make. Would he rather turn pro or go play college baseball at the prestigious Texas Christian University? 

Being the 133rd overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, Baumler chose to chase his dreams and become a pro. However, he has dealt with some bad injury luck since signing with the Baltimore Orioles.

Just a few months after being drafted, he tore his UCL and had to have Tommy John surgery. And after returning, he has undergone shoulder issues from 2022 to 2024, but had a full season of work in 2025. 

MORE: Rangers linked to the ‘best pure athlete’ in the prep class this upcoming draft

Rangers’ Rule 5 pick is making a case as the steal of the offseason

With his injury history, the Orioles decided they did not want to add him to the 40-man roster, and he was available to all clubs in the Rule 5 draft. He would then be drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates, who immediately traded him to the Texas Rangers. 

The Rangers feel comfortable about Baumler’s health as the team physician is none other than Dr. Keith Meister, the one who performed his Tommy John surgery. 

So far, the hard-throwing righty has been dominant this spring. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel tags him as a potential breakout candidate for the club. 

“Baumler is a Rule 5 pick with late-inning-level stuff who was made available by the Orioles because he had thrown just 88.2 innings over four pro seasons, only a handful of which were above A-ball. He’s showing above-average to plus stuff with his four-seam fastball, slider, and curveball while also throwing enough strikes to be a real contributor to this year’s big league club.”

Expect to see Baumler work to bridge the gap and get the game closer to the ninth inning. Texas had a great bullpen last year, and will need them again if they want to end a two-year playoff drought.

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