Ricky Vanasco Looks Good In Return

The Rangers had a problem at the Nov. 19 reserve roster deadline. But it was a good problem to have.

Texas had more intriguing prospects that required protection from the Rule 5 draft than they had 40-man roster spots to accommodate them.

While a case could have been made for adding as many as six players, the Rangers selected three: shortstop Ezequiel Duran and righthanders Ricky Vanasco and Ronny Henriquez.

Even though he has never pitched above Low-A and just finished his rehab from Tommy John surgery during instructional league, Vanasco was an easy choice.

Some in the organization believe that Vanasco is the Rangers’ top pitching prospect.

“Ricky, obviously was coming off the TJ, but he was throwing the ball very, very well late in the year in Arizona,” Rangers president of baseball operations Jon Daniels said.

“He’s really matured, as a lot of the guys do coming out of (the rehab), and I’m excited to see him get a real chance to start and see kind of a power mix as a starter.”

Vanasco, who turned 21 in October during instructs, was routinely reaching the upper 90s with his four-seam fastball and was pleased with the vertical movement on his changeup, his best offspeed pitch. He also throws a slider and curveball.

His offseason plan called for him to stay in Arizona to continue working on his mechanics and conditioning, though he took care of much of that during his down time following his September 2020 elbow surgery. Vanasco said he gained 40 pounds but maintained his lean physique.

The Rangers drafted Vanasco out of Willston (Fla.) High in the 15th round in 2017. He knows he needs to settle into a routine once he is back to pace himself over the course of a season.

“Now the most important thing is, at the end of the day, that I’m healthy and back out on the mound and playing games and doing the thing I love again,” Vanasco said.

RANGERS ROUNDUP

— Duran, who was acquired in the Joey Gallo trade with the Yankees, was a lock before his standout performance in the Arizona Fall League. Henriquez was selected because the characteristics of his fastball could be effective as either a starter or as a multi-inning reliever.

— First-round pick Jack Leiter said he hoped to start throwing touch-and-feel bullpen sessions toward the end of December with the goal of heading to Arizona for spring training in mid January. The Rangers shut down Leiter after drafting him second overall and allowed him to continue studying at Vanderbilt while working out and throwing on a plan they designed with his personal strength coach.

— First baseman Blaine Crim, who reached Double A Frisco in 2021, was one of the top hitters early in the season in the winter Puerto Rican League. Through 22 games he was batting .400 for Mayaguez with 11 extra-base hits and an 1.029 OPS.