Good news for Rangers minor-leaguers: Payments will continue through July, at least
Texas Rangers minor-league players will receive another month’s worth of $400 weekly payments, the club announced Friday.
Minor-league pay had been set to expire Tuesday. Early into the coronavirus shutdown, Rangers designated hitter Shin-Soo Choo donated $1,000 to each Rangers minor-leaguer, a personal expense expected to be around $200,000.
The Rangers cut 37 minor-league players June 1. Those cut would have faced the same fate either at the end of spring training or following the draft.
There are still more than 150 players in the farm system.
The expectation is that there will not be a minor-league season in 2020. Minor-league franchises rely heavily on ticket revenue and concession sales, and fans would be banned at most venues across the country.
Rangers general manager Jon Daniels is hopeful that MLB will organize an extended instructional league or Arizona Fall League to give players a chance to continue their development.
A group of prospects, either on the 40-man roster and some who are not, are expected to be part of the 60-man Club Player Pool the team will have during spring training 2.0 and the 2020 MLB season.
Globe Life Park picked
The Rangers will use Globe Life Park as the auxiliary sight for the Club Player Pool members who are not on the active roster.
Though configured for football and soccer, Globe Life Park still has a weight room and there could be room to rebuild indoor batting cages that were taken out during the transition to other sports.
There is room for players to throw, run, shag flyballs and take batting practice.
Ultimately, the Rangers hope that the group will be able to use Globe Life Field when the Rangers are on the road.
Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, home of the Rangers’ Double A affiliate, was also considered.
Briefly
▪ One player who won’t be among the 60-man group is left-handed reliever Brian Flynn. He was told he won’t be asked back to spring training, and his official release is expected soon.
▪ The Rangers signed their ninth, and likely last, undrafted free agent. Jose Felix, from New York City, is the third catcher signed and the fifth prep player.
This story was originally published June 26, 2020 at 6:23 PM.
