Texas Rangers Draft 16 Players on Day Two of 2026 MLB Draft

Texas Rangers bolstered their farm system on July 13, 2026, selecting 16 players in the second and final day of the 2026 MLB Draft. The haul brings the club’s total to 20 draftees, a mix of pitchers, position players and a two‑way talent, as the Rangers sit third in the American League with a 49-47 record and a W1 streak.

Who did the Rangers pick?

The Rangers’ day‑two selections span five rounds, starting with right‑handed hitter Michael Anderson Jr. in the 5th round (149th overall). The 22‑year‑old earned first‑team All‑Big Ten honors at Penn State, posting a .358/.450/.725 slash line and a 1.175 OPS in 50 games. Anderson also logged ten pitching appearances, including 1.2 scoreless innings this season. In the 6th round, the club grabbed RHP Aidan Brainard (178th overall), a 22‑year‑old who went 5‑4 with a 2.66 ERA for Nevada and earned All‑Mountain West First Team nods. Brainard’s college résumé includes stops at Regis University and Northeast Community College.

Which pitchers stand out?

RHP Caden Aoki was taken in the 7th round (207th overall). The 23‑year‑old posted a 9‑2 record with a 4.11 ERA for Georgia in 2026, completing a game against eventual CWS champion Oklahoma. Aoki’s collegiate path weaved through Notre Dame, USC and Georgia, compiling a 21‑14 record and 312 strikeouts over 65 games. The Rangers also added right‑handed reliever/closer prospects in later rounds, each bringing a blend of velocity and command honed against top‑tier competition.

What does the shortstop bring?

Shortstop Kolby Branch, a 23‑year‑old from Allen, Texas, was the Rangers’ 8th‑round pick (237th overall). Branch spent three seasons at Georgia, batting .277 with 50 homers and 159 RBIs while posting a school‑record .972 fielding percentage at shortstop. He earned the ABCA Rawlings Gold Glove and was a finalist for the Brooks Wallace Award in 2026, helping the Bulldogs finish tied for third in the College World Series.

How does this draft affect the Rangers’ future?

Adding 12 pitchers, seven position players and a two‑way athlete gives the Rangers depth across the board. The emphasis on high‑school talent—three picks in the first three rounds—mirrors the club’s 2018 strategy and signals a willingness to develop raw arms in the Arlington facilities. With the major league club currently riding a one‑game winning streak after a 6‑5 victory over the Houston Astros on July 12, these prospects could soon be key pieces in a roster looking to climb out of a .500 record and contend in the AL West.

What’s next for the new draftees?

All 20 selections will report to the Rangers’ rookie‑league affiliates this fall. The organization’s scouting department plans individualized development plans, focusing on refining secondary pitches for the arms and plate discipline for the hitters. As the Rangers chase a playoff spot, the infusion of young talent offers a pipeline that could feed the major‑league bullpen and bench by next season.