{"id":615101,"date":"2026-02-25T12:34:14","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T12:34:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/615101\/"},"modified":"2026-02-25T12:34:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T12:34:14","slug":"no-28-frandel-pineda-has-good-genes-and-a-projectable-frame","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/615101\/","title":{"rendered":"No. 28 Frandel Pineda has good genes and a projectable frame"},"content":{"rendered":"

SURPRISE, Ariz. \u2014 In late January, after the Texas Rangers<\/a> swung a deal that sent significant prospect capital east in order to improve the major league roster, general manager Ross Fenstermaker rationalized the club\u2019s moves as \u201cthe price we pay in order to compete.\u201d<\/p>\n

Oh, yeah, they\u2019ve paid a price.<\/p>\n

The Rangers have dealt eight top 30 prospects, per MLB Pipeline\u2019s evaluations, since last summer\u2019s trade deadline. They shipped three to the Arizona Diamondbacks for right-handed pitcher Merrill Kelly to bolster their rotation midseason<\/a> and another five to the Washington Nationals for MacKenzie Gore last month<\/a> to do the same thing.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s the cost of big league improvement. It\u2019ll also ding the depth of a farm system. The Rangers have the No. 22 farm system per ESPN, the No. 24 farm system per Baseball America and the No. 25 farm system per USA TODAY.<\/p>\n

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The success of the farm system, much like the major league roster, will be predicated on how a number of position player prospects respond to down seasons. Baseball America, which hasn\u2019t ranked the club\u2019s system this low since the 2021 season, said it \u201cneeds major rebounds from its near-proximity prospects to supplement the big league roster.\u201d<\/p>\n

Their collective progression will determine where the farm stands this time next year. Until then, though, it\u2019s time to begin the daily countdown of The Dallas Morning News\u2019 top 30 prospects.<\/p>\n

No. 28: RHP Frandel Pineda<\/p>\n

Age<\/b>: 17<\/p>\n

Height\/weight<\/b>: 6-2, 175<\/p>\n

B\/T<\/b>: R\/R<\/p>\n

Who he is<\/b>: The Rangers signed Pineda out of the Dominican Republic to a $350,000 bonus in the 2026 international cycle<\/a>. He\u2019s the nephew of former big league pitcher Michael Pineda and was the No. 47 prospect in his class per MLB Pipeline. Pineda is the first Latin American teenage pitcher that the Rangers have given a six-figure bonus to in nine years.<\/p>\n

\"Texas<\/p>\n

Texas Rangers prospect Frandel Pineda<\/p>\n

Texas Rangers<\/p>\n

Why he\u2019s here<\/b>: Pineda\u2019s age, genes, build and current body of work create a teenager who epitomizes the word \u201cprojectable.\u201d His fastball already runs 95-96 mph and has triple-digit upside. He won\u2019t turn 18 until the fall. He profiles as a starter, and per MLB Pipeline, \u201cdisplayed solid strike-throwing ability in his time on the mound\u201d and has the same \u201cloose, whippy arm action that overwhelms a majority of batters he has faced\u201d as his former All-Star uncle. <\/p>\n

What\u2019s his future<\/b>: Teenaged prospects are hardly a surefire bet, but Pineda\u2019s frame and family track record make a worthy investment. As Fenstemaker said when the Rangers signed Pineda, \u201cwith the MLB bloodlines that he has, you can project with a little more confidence in this market.\u201d The same can be said because of the club\u2019s recent success with Latin American pitchers on the international market; right-handers Winston Santos<\/a> and Emiliano Teodo<\/a> were both signed for far less and have developed into upper-level prospects. <\/p>\n

Where he will start; MLB ETA<\/b>: Dominican Summer League; 2031.<\/p>\n

Rangers\u2019 top 30 prospects<\/p>\n

No. 30:<\/b> RHP Mason McConnaughey<\/a><\/p>\n

No. 29:<\/b> OF Braylin Morel<\/a><\/p>\n

No. 28:<\/b> RHP Frandel Pineda<\/p>\n

Nos. 27-1:<\/b> Coming soon… <\/p>\n