Rangers Bring Back Stuff+ Leader Gavin Collyer, Catcher Cooper Johnson on Minor League Deals

The Texas Rangers announced Thursday that the club has signed seven players to minor league contracts. Those players being INF Jonah Bride, RHP Gavin Collyer, C Jose Herrera, C Cooper Johnson, INF Andrew Velazquez, LHP Anthony Veneziano, UTL Tyler Wade. These players won't necessarily make the big league roster, but they are there for depth in the minor leagues.

Among the signings are two familiar faces returning to the organization: right-handed pitcher Gavin Collyer and catcher Cooper Johnson.

Both players received invitations to the Rangers' 2026 Major League Spring Training camp.

Collyer: 2025 Minor League Stuff+ Leader

Collyer, who turns 25 in May, is coming off a 2025 season where he climbed two levels within the Rangers' farm system. The right-handed reliever spent time with Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock.

In Frisco, Collyer posted a 3.97 ERA over 45 1/3 innings. While his walk rate remained a point of concern, he proved his ability to miss bats by racking up 65 strikeouts. He often pitched in high-leverage situations.

Following a promotion to Triple-A Round Rock, Collyer appeared in 14 games, pitching 16 innings with a 5.63 ERA. At the Triple-A level, he recorded 21 strikeouts but issued 15 walks.

Despite the inflated ERA in Triple-A, Collyer remains one of the more intriguing arms in the organization due to his raw pitch metrics. He features a repertoire consisting of a four-seam fastball, a two-seam fastball, a cutter, and a sweeper. He led Minor League Baseball in Stuff+.

Interview With Texas Rangers Pitching Prospect Gavin Collyer

When thinking about Texas Rangers pitching prospects, Gavin Collyer, who stands at 6′1″ and weighs 190 lbs, may not be the first name that springs to mind, but he is undoubtedly one we will be closely monitoring this season. Collyer was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 12th Round

The Prospect TimesHeath Criswell

The Texas Rangers selected Collyer in the 12th-round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of high school. Collyer is positioned to potentially contribute to the big-league bullpen at some point during the 2026 campaign.

What is Stuff+?

Stuff+ is a metric that evaluates the physical characteristics of a pitch—including velocity, release point, spin rate, and movement—independent of location or outcome. The scale is set so that 100 is league average.

Johnson Returns to Provide Catching Depth

Cooper Johnson, who will be 28 in April, also returns to the organization after splitting time between Frisco and Round Rock in 2025.

Johnson showed flashes of power in Double-A, slashing .267/.380/.500 with an .880 OPS, three home runs, and eight RBIs in 18 games.

After moving up to Triple-A Round Rock, he appeared in 82 games, hitting .209 with six home runs and 32 RBIs.

To stay sharp this offseason, Johnson played for the Gigantes del Cibao in the Dominican Winter League, where he hit .222 with three RBIs in 13 games. 

A sixth-round pick by the Detroit Tigers in 2019, Johnson carries a career .210 batting average with 32 home runs and 151 RBIs across his professional career.

For more in-depth coverage of the Texas farm system and every roster move this winter, stay tuned to The Prospect Times. Be sure to sign up for our free newsletter so you never miss an update from us.