Texas Rangers: Meet the newest prospect in the organization

The Texas Rangers sent Sam Dyson to San Francisco at the trade deadline for a player to be named later. Now that player has a name.

2017 wasn’t supposed to go this way for Sam Dyson. He had a 2.45 ERA over 179 appearances from 2014-2016. Following his stint with Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, the Rangers counted on him to anchor the back of the bullpen.

No one knows for sure what happened. Opposing batters walloped him for 23 runs allowed in 16.2 IP and a ghastly 2.580 WHIP through June 6. On that date, the Rangers traded him with cash to the San Francisco Giants for a player to be named later. It’s pretty bad when a team will pay another team just to take a player off their hands, especially when that player is only making $3.25 million and is still in his arbitration years.

Now, the Giants have completed their end of the deal by shipping Hunter Cole to the Rangers. He’s…ok. Kind of. If you’re into corner outfielders with low OBP. And only moderate power. And below average speed. Who are old for their level. With a history of injuries. That they’ve repeated three times.

Cole was a 26th round pick out of the University of Georgia in 2014. He’s a former second baseman who now plays exclusively in right field. He slashed .249/.323/.431 at AA Richmond in 2017. However, he hit much better in the second half of the season.

You are forgiven for not being overwhelmed with excitement. Nevertheless, sometimes organizational filler guys like this have major league careers, even if it’s a bench role. Who knows, their could be a rash of injuries for the parent club and they could be short on outfielders. Maybe the Rangers see something in Cole that others don’t, and he hits his way into a September call-up.

Next: Texas Rangers: 3 key positions for the off-season

Regardless, the book is now closed on the Dyson trade more than five months after they consummated the deal.