Texas Rangers Acquire 25-Year-Old Infielder

The Texas Rangers have signed second baseman Max Wagner on a minor league contract, according to the MiLB transaction log.

The Rangers immediately assigned him to their Triple-A affiliate, the Round Rock Express. The move comes just over a week after Wagner elected free agency on November 2 following the conclusion of the 2026 season.

Wagner, 25, returns to the organization that gave him a fresh start earlier this year.

The Rangers first signed him to a minor league deal on April 21, 2026, after the Baltimore Orioles released him in March.

He spent the bulk of the season with Double-A Frisco, where he delivered a career-best power year.

In 85 games for the RoughRiders, the right-handed hitter batted .249/.337/.523 with 21 home runs and 54 RBIs. His .860 OPS ranked among the stronger marks in the Texas League for a player who had previously shown more modest production higher in the minors.

A former second-round pick (42nd overall) by the Orioles out of Clemson in 2022, Wagner arrived in pro ball with a $1.9 million signing bonus after earning ACC Player of the Year honors.

Injuries and inconsistent results limited his progress with Baltimore; he never advanced beyond Double-A before his release.

The Rangers saw value in his right-handed bat and infield versatility. Although primarily a third baseman earlier in his career, recent listings and the latest transaction have him as a second baseman. He has also logged time at first base and the outfield corners.

His 2026 season included several highlight moments, among them a three-home-run game and a walk-off grand slam that capped a comeback victory for Frisco.

After a brief stint on the temporarily inactive list in early August, he returned and finished the year strong.

With the re-signing and promotion to Round Rock, Wagner will enter 2027 spring training with a clearer path toward Triple-A playing time and, potentially, his first look at the major leagues.

For the Rangers, the deal is a low-risk way to retain a player who produced 21 home runs in a breakout Double-A campaign.

Wagner’s combination of power and positional flexibility fits the profile of organizational depth the club has targeted in recent minor-league free-agent signings.

Whether he can carry his 2026 gains to Triple-A and beyond remains the next question, but the transaction confirms the Rangers want to find out.