{"id":677180,"date":"2026-04-16T21:42:29","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T21:42:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/677180\/"},"modified":"2026-04-16T21:42:29","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T21:42:29","slug":"gavin-collyers-rangers-debut-validates-long-journey-through-minors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/677180\/","title":{"rendered":"Gavin Collyer\u2019s Rangers Debut Validates Long Journey Through Minors"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gavin Collyer<\/a> started Wednesday in El Paso. He ended Wednesday walking off the mound in Sacramento after striking out Lawrence Butler. <\/p>\n

In between, the 24-year-old right-hander hopped on two flights, re-acquainted himself with the Texas Rangers<\/a> teammates he met in spring training and made his Major League debut<\/a>, a moment nearly seven years in the making. <\/p>\n

\u201cI spent four years in A-ball you know?\u201d Collyer said to Rangers Sports Network <\/a>before Thursday\u2019s game. \u201cThere were a lot of long nights. You sit back and you’re like, \u2018Dang this could be over. Maybe I should think about doing something else.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Thankfully, he didn\u2019t. The Rangers<\/a> desperately needed his right arm after they put both Luis Curvelo and Chris Martin on the 15-day injured list. <\/p>\n

Gavin Collyer\u2019s MLB Debut<\/p>\n

.@MikeBacsik<\/a> breaks down Gavin Collyer’s first career strikeout \u2b07\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/d4mlh4OcPB<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Rangers Sports Network (@RangersSNtv) April 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Collyer could be excused for being tired. He woke up at 8:30 a.m. in El Paso and got a call from his coaches telling him he was heading for Sacramento. After a layover in Salt Lake City, he landed in Sacramento and got to the ballpark at about 4:30 p.m. local time. He said being in spring training with the Rangers \u2014 where he threw eight games before being reassigned to Triple-A \u2014 helped him quickly get settled before he made his debut in the seventh inning.<\/p>\n

Texas brought in the right-hander to face Athletics outfielder Lawrence Butler with the Rangers down 6-2. Collyer said the goal was to fill up the zone, and he did. He threw three strikes to Butler, the last of which was 97.3 mph four-seam fastball that Butler couldn\u2019t catch up to. <\/p>\n

It was only one batter, but it mattered so much to Collyer. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt was everything my little kid self would dream of,\u201d he said. \u201cJust being out there with the Texas on my chest. It\u2019s just a dream come true.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before Collyer made his debut he was pitching well at Round Rock. He was 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA in six games, with one save in three chances. He struck out 11 and walked two in 6.2 innings. He pushed himself into a closer role last year with Double-A Frisco and Round Rock as he had 11 holds and eight saves in 16 chances as he went 5-6 with a 4.40 ERA.<\/p>\n

Before he moved to the bullpen, he was a starter. Current Rangers pitching coach Jordan Tiegs was the one that suggested that Collyer move to the bullpen, which happened in 2023. It helped accelerate his development and he learned that the role suited him more than he realized. He saw an immediate uptick in his velocity, he said. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m an adrenaline junkie so I think this role fits me a lot better,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

For now, the adrenaline junkie will work as a set-up man for the Rangers. How long he remains in that role will be determined by his performance. <\/p>\n

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