Brock Porter might be back
Brock Porter's journey with the Texas Rangers has been anything but straightforward, yet recent signs suggest he may be regaining his footing.
Early Promise
Entering the 2022 MLB Draft, Porter was a standout pitching prospect, ranked 11th overall on MLB.com's draft board. His accolades included the 2021 Gatorade State Player and National Player of the Year honors, earned after an impeccable 9-0 record with a 0.41 ERA, 115 strikeouts in 58 innings, and three no-hitters. Despite his commitment to Clemson deterring some teams, the Rangers secured him in the fourth round with a record-setting $3.7 million signing bonus, leveraging savings from selecting Kumar Rocker in the first round.
Porter's talent was immediately recognized, as MLB.com ranked him the sixth-best prospect in the Rangers' organization and 94th overall prospect in baseball.
2023: A Strong Start
In 2023, Porter debuted professionally with the Single-A Down East Wood Ducks. He excelled, pitching 69.1 innings across 21 games with a 2.47 ERA. His strikeout prowess was evident, fanning 95 batters while opponents hit just .160 against him. However, control issues emerged, with 42 walks—nearly one per inning. This walk rate was unsustainable for a starter, but his ability to limit hits suggested potential if he could refine his command.
His performance earned him a rise to the Rangers' fourth-best prospect and the 88th overall prospect in baseball, per MLB.com.
2024: A Step Backward
Porter's progress stalled in 2024. His control issues intensified, leading to a 6.98 ERA over just 19.1 innings. His pitches were still nasty as hitters only had a .147 batting average against him with 18 strikeouts, but issued 24 walks, splitting time between the Hickory Crawdads and the ACL Rangers while working on his mechanics. These efforts fell short, and 2024 became a lost season. His struggles led to a significant drop, falling out of the Rangers' top 30 prospects from his previous No. 4 ranking. Meanwhile, other prospects like Jack Leiter, Kumar Rocker, Winston Santos, and Alejandro Rosario captured fans' attention.
2025: Signs of Recovery
This year, Porter has shown signs of a rebound. Transitioning from the starting rotation to the bullpen with the Single-A Hickory Crawdads, he has focused on rebuilding confidence and improving control. In 46.2 innings, he posted a 3.66 ERA—a marked improvement from 2024's 6.98. His strikeout numbers remain strong with 49, while his walks have decreased to 21, highlighting an improvement in command from 2024 and 2023 seasons. His stuff still remains electric as opponents are hitting .189 against him.
The move to short relief appearances allows Porter to showcase his raw talent while honing his command. This strategy could pave the way for a return to the rotation, potentially later this year or in 2026.
Outlook
Porter's journey reflects both his immense potential and the challenges of harnessing it. If he continues to reduce his walks while maintaining his strikeout ability, he could reclaim his status as a top prospect and fulfill the promise that made him a standout in 2022.
