September 17, 2024, Arlington, Texas — Yesterday the Texas Rangers revealed their 2024 Minor League Award winners, and it’s packed with some stellar performances that should excite any fan keeping tabs on the future of the organization. These honorees will be celebrated in a pre-game ceremony this Saturday before the Rangers take on the Mariners.
Here’s a quick rundown of the award winners:
- Tom Grieve Player of the Year: OF Alejandro Osuna
- Nolan Ryan Pitcher of the Year: RHP Alejandro Rosario
- Reliever of the Year: LHP Bryan Magdaleno
- Defender of the Year: 3B Cody Freeman
- True Ranger Award: 2B Jax Biggers
Alejandro Osuna: 2024 Tom Grieve Player of the Year
Alejandro Osuna put together a monster year between High-A Hickory and Double-A Frisco, slashing .292/.362/.507 with 18 home runs, 61 RBIs, and 36 walks in 102 games. He was a hitting machine and ranked among the best in OPS and slugging for the Rangers’ farmhands.
What stands out the most is his promotion to Double-A Frisco at the end of June, where he kept raking. In just 39 games with Frisco, Osuna cranked 9 homers and knocked in 32 RBIs. No wonder he’s the #16 prospect in the system.
Fans should keep a close eye on Osuna because, with this kind of production, it wouldn’t be surprising if he’s in Arlington sooner rather than later. Osuna was signed as a non-drafted free agent back in October 2020, and it’s clear the Rangers saw something special.
Alejandro Rosario: 2024 Nolan Ryan Pitcher of the Year
The Rangers have another Alejandro making waves, and this time it’s 22-year-old RHP Alejandro Rosario, who absolutely dominated hitters this season. Between Hickory and Down East, Rosario posted a 2.24 ERA with 129 strikeouts over 82.1 innings.
He’s not just throwing strikes; he’s missing bats. He had the 4th most strikeouts among all Rangers’ minor leaguers, and his 9.92 strikeouts per 9 innings mark was historic. That kind of strikeout-to-walk ratio isn’t something you see often, especially in the minors.
The Miami native was drafted in the 5th round of the 2023 MLB Draft and has quickly become the #3 prospect in the system. With that kind of arsenal, Rangers fans have every reason to be excited about what he’ll bring to the table in 2025.
Bryan Magdaleno: 2024 Reliever of the Year
Relievers often don’t get the spotlight, but Bryan Magdaleno sure earned it this year. Across 36 relief outings spanning Down East, Hickory, and Frisco, Magdaleno was lights out.
A 1.27 ERA, 68 strikeouts in 42.2 innings, and just 6 earned runs allowed all season long. The guy was nearly untouchable, stringing together 17 straight scoreless appearances to finish the year.
That WHIP? Just 0.94. That’s dominance. Signed back in 2019 as a non-drafted free agent from the Dominican Republic, Magdaleno could be a key piece in the Rangers bullpen if he keeps this up.
Cody Freeman: 2024 Defender of the Year
Freeman, a versatile player who spent most of his time at third base, didn’t just flash the leather—he was a defensive anchor for Frisco in 2024. With 284 total chances and only 4 errors, Freeman put up a strong .986 fielding percentage.
Rangers fans might remember Freeman as a 4th-round pick from 2019, and this year, he really showed his value in the field. He also chipped in offensively, appearing in 123 games, mostly as a third baseman and DH. Freeman could be one of those players that adds crucial depth in the majors, particularly with his solid glove work.
Jax Biggers: 2024 True Ranger Award Winner
Last but definitely not least, we’ve got Jax Biggers taking home the prestigious True Ranger Award, which recognizes not just on-field performance but also how a player represents the organization.
Biggers has been a consistent presence for Round Rock in Triple-A, slashing .266/.393/.431 with 9 home runs and 52 RBIs. He’s got the kind of work ethic and leadership you want in your clubhouse.
Originally an 8th-round pick in 2018, Biggers has flown a little under the radar, but his versatility and consistent play earned him this well-deserved recognition.
Looking Ahead
With the Rangers’ farm system continuing to churn out talent, this crop of award winners is a great sign for the future. Whether it’s Osuna’s powerful bat, Rosario’s electrifying strikeouts, or Magdaleno’s untouchable relief work, Rangers fans should be excited about what’s coming up through the pipeline. And let’s not forget about the steady defense from Freeman and the all-around game of Biggers, who both bring nice elements to the table.
