Rangers Make Unexpected Move After Losing $37 Million Slugger to Injury

"The Texas Rangers are calling up outfielder Alejandro Osuna, sources tell me and @kileymcd," ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan relayed on X. 

Continuing: "The 22-year-old started the year at Double-A and impressed enough in eight Triple-A games to get the call to the big leagues and try to help a Rangers offense that is 27th in runs scored."

Osuna's fast track to the majors is somewhat unexpected.

He's currently ranked as the Rangers' No. 7 prospect on MiLB. But he is the top young outfielder within Texas' system.

Osuna is the younger brother of former All-Star closer Roberto Osuna and the nephew of ex-big leaguer Antonio Osuna, per his MiLB bio page. He signed out of Mexico for $125,000 in October 2020.

MiLB described Osuna as "one of the most consistent hitters in the system," noting that he was named the Rangers' Minor League player of the year after "batting .292/.362/.507 with 18 homers and 17 steals between High-A and Double-A and topping the system in slugging, OPS (.869) and wRC+ (143)."

According to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com, "no single player made a bigger impression on Major League camp this spring than Osuna, who went 15-for-24 in Cactus League play with a handful of impressive defensive plays in the outfield."

So, while bold and a little unexpected, the promotion is certainly deserved.

The 5-foot-9 Osuna is a lefty bat that has drawn comparisons to Alex Verdugo and Wilyer Abreu. He was batting .261 through 7 Triple-A games, with 4 doubles, 8 walks, 1 RBI, and an OPS of .920.