Paxton Kling is flying under the radar in the Texas Rangers' farm system.
Paxton is not currently on MLB's Top 30 Prospects for the Rangers
Outfielder Paxton Kling was the first college position player drafted by the Rangers in the 2025 MLB Draft. Paxton, taken in the 7th round, is a name that's maybe unfamiliar to Ranger fans. He currently is not listed on MLB's Top 30 prospects for the Rangers.
In 2022, while playing baseball for Central High School in Pennsylvania, he was named Pennsylvania's Gatorade player of the year. Paxton was also a member of the U18 USA National Team in 2021. Coming out of High School, he was ranked 104th on MLB's Top Draft Prospects. Keith Law of the Athletic had him ranked 51st.
Paxton removed his name from the 2022 draft and instead committed to play at LSU. As a freshman in 2023, he was a member of LSU's College World Series Championship team, that included big leaguers, Paul Skenes and Dylan Crews. In 57 games (22 starts) as a true Freshman, he hit for a .289 Avg, .390 OBP and a .913 OPS.
After a disappointing 2024 season that saw most of Paxton's offensive numbers decline, he left LSU and returned home to play for Penn State. The move proved to be the right decision as he hit for a .358 AVG, .470 OBP, 1.102 OPS and 13 HRs. He was also named 2025 First Team All-Big Ten and Big Ten All Defensive team.
MLB's scouting grades on Kling, prior to the draft: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40
Paxton bats right, throws right, He is 6 FT 2, 210 LBS.
Paxton was sent to Class A Hickory, after being drafted. In 10 games, he hit for a .368 AVG, .395 OBP, and 1.001 OPS. The Rangers then sent him to High A Ball, Hub City. He played a total of 21 minor league games, hitting .301 AVG, .355 OBP, .801 OPS. He started 13 games at CF.
Small sample size? Sure, but compared to the first seasons of other position players that the Rangers have drafted the last two years, Paxton's bat was more impressive in his first dip in the minors.
Paxton will be 23 in May; My guess is he will begin the season at High A Ball with a chance to advance to AA Frisco in 2026.
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