Rangers Winter League updates: Ortiz, Durán; Owen White Signs in Korea

Abimelec Ortiz: Patience in Puerto Rico

Abimelec Ortiz continues his assignment with the Gigantes de Carolina in the Puerto Rican Winter League.

Through 33 games, Ortiz is slashing .243/.415/.396 with an .811 OPS. He has hit 4 home runs, including a grand slam, and 20 RBIs.

Perhaps most impressive is Ortiz’s plate discipline; he has drawn 31 walks against just 14 strikeouts.

The Rangers added Ortiz to the 40-man roster in November to protect him from the Rule 5 draft held during the MLB winter meetings in December.

Ezequiel Durán: Dominican Winter League update

In the Dominican Winter League, infielder Ezequiel Durán is putting up some good numbers for the Aguilas Cibaenas. The 26-year-old is hitting .338/.399/.463 with an .862 OPS through 36 games.

Durán’s stat line includes 2 home runs, 22 RBIs, and 7 stolen bases. He has shown control of the strike zone with 13 walks and 20 strikeouts.

Durán remains a candidate for the Rangers starting second base job next spring, competing alongside Josh Smith, Cody Freeman, Michael Helman, and Sam Haggerty.

Alejandro Osuna: Mexican Pacific Winter League update

Alejandro Osuna has played 11-games with the Charros de Jalisco in the Mexican Pacific Winter League. Osuna hit .342/.490/.421 for a .911 OPS with 5 RBIs.

While he hasn't gone deep, he has reached base at a .490 clip with 10 walks and only 5 strikeouts, adding 7 stolen bases.

Perry Bounces Back in Australia

Right-hander Kamdyn Perry turned in his best start of the ABL on Friday, December 19th. He's playing for the Brisbane Bandits of the Australian Baseball League.

The 20-year-old earned his first career ABL win by tossing 6 scoreless innings, surrendering only 2 hits and 3 walks while striking out 2.

Perry threw 91 pitches, 57 for strikes, and relied on his command to induce 9 groundouts and 4 flyouts.

The dominant outing lowered his ERA from 10.91 to 7.89. Through 21.2 innings this winter, Perry has recorded 13 walks and 10 strikeouts.

Davalillo’s Dominant 2025

MLB Pipeline recently highlighted one standout stat from every farm system, selecting David Davalillo’s 0.93 WHIP (walks plus hits per innings pitched) between High-A and Double-A.

Among minor league pitchers with at least 100 innings in 2025, only six finished with a WHIP under 1.00. Davalillo ranked third in that elite group.

The right-hander finished the season with a 6-4 win-loss record and a 2.44 ERA. In 107.0 innings, he issued 28 walks and struck out 126.

Davalillo's 2.4 walks per 9 innings is consistent with his career average across four minor league seasons.

The Rangers added Davalillo to their 40-man roster in November to protect him from the Rule-5 Draft.

Owen White Heads to KBO

The Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization announced the signing of former Rangers right-hander Owen White. White, 26, signed a $1 million deal consisting of an $800,000 salary and a $200,000 signing bonus.

A second-round pick by the Rangers in 2018, White’s development was hampered by Tommy John surgery in 2019 and the canceled 2020 minor league season.

He made his MLB debut for the Rangers on June 13, 2023 against the Angels. His line: 2.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 H, 2 SO, 1 BB.

We wish Owen the best of luck in the KBO.

Marlins Land Pete Fairbanks

Any hopes of a reunion with reliever Pete Fairbanks ended today as the right-hander signed a one-year, $13 million deal with the Miami Marlins. Given the Rangers’ current payroll constraints, a pursuit of the hard-throwing veteran was considered unlikely.

Holiday Gift Ideas for the Rangers

CBS Sports’ Mike Axisa recently suggested that the "perfect gift" for the Rangers would be a healthy 2026 for outfielder Evan Carter. Carter’s availability remains one of the biggest X-factors for the Rangers lineup.