Their deals signed, Texas Rangers’ top two picks ready for transition to pro ball
Becoming a major-league ballplayer is a life-changing event, even for a player like Texas Rangers first-round pick Justin Foscue.
He’s 21 and has pocketed some life experiences, in addition to the $3.25 million he pocketed Friday when the Rangers made his deal official.
He was a star player at a college baseball powerhouse, Mississippi State. He expected to be drafted earlier this month. He expects to be a quality big-leaguer.
“It’s definitely changed, especially since I signed my contract this morning,” Foscue said. “But I’ve been ready for this moment my entire life. I’ve dreamed about this moment. I know what’s going to come the next couple years.”
Foscue has lived away from home. He’s done laundry and had to run to the store, and hasn’t had the immediate safety net of his parents when life has gone awry.
The rest of the Rangers’ draft class, all four of them, have never been on their own. It’s nothing new for MLB teams to select and sign multiple players out of high school.
Evan Carter, the second-round pick, agreed to a $1.25 million signing bonus, and at some point will be dispatched to Arizona, which is both literally and figuratively far away from his hometown in east Tennessee.
He says his life hasn’t changed much since he became the 50th overall pick June 10.
Oh, but it’s about, too.
“Actually, I really enjoy cooking,” said Carter, who had committed to Duke. “I think I’ll be ready to live on my own. It would have been the same way in college. Honestly, I’m really excited for it.”
The Rangers announced later Friday they had signed left-hander Dylan MacLean, the fourth-round pick, for $1.2 million. He had a college commitment to Washington. They continue to work on signing right-hander TK Roby and shortstop Thomas Saggese, but no deals are expected this weekend.
The Rangers also signed their eighth undrafted free agent, prep right-hander Aidan Curry from New York.
Until MLB resolves what it will do with the 2020 season, and now with eight Philadelphia Phillies players and coaches testing positive for COVID-19, the draftees are in no-man’s land.
At some point, though, the 18-year-old Carter will be riding solo, albeit surrounded by teammates, coaches and other support staff. But the Rangers do their homework on players’ makeup to ensure they have the maturity to survive on their own.
“It’s an enormous piece of it,” general manager Jon Daniels said. “There is a real level of maturity, kind of a quiet confidence, a humility there.
“Physically and how they handle themselves on the field is going to be one thing, but then, are they able to live on their own? There’s a whole new set of circumstances and temptations and risks, and you have to have confidence that these guys are able to handle it with some guidance but ultimately on their own.”
This story was originally published June 19, 2020 at 4:31 PM.
