Only a handful of pitchers in the Rangers organization throw as hard as righthanderEmiliano Teodo, a converted position player from the Dominican Republic who didn’t sign until he was 18.
He signed for just $10,000.
Considering Teodo’s background, it’s remarkable that he has developed into one of the organization’s better prospects. After spending time this year in big league camp, he has moved closer to making his MLB debut.
The 23-year-old was just a handful of starts into his first season with Double-A Frisco, but things were already going better than last year. Through five starts he had a 2.91 ERA with 22 strikeouts and 13 walks in 21.2 innings.
Teodo was injured early last season, but he has more than made up ground on the time lost.
“I’m trying to stay healthy, get guys out and not try to be something I’m not,” Teodo said.
Teodo started throwing a two-seam fastball last season because he wanted something hard that moved more than his upper-90s four-seamer. He also throws a curveball, though it can have the velocity of a slider, and a changeup.
Last year he was selected as the top reliever in the Arizona Fall League after eight consecutive scoreless appearances, spanning 11 innings. Back in Arizona in the spring, he watched and listened.
“Nathan Eovaldi approached me and talked to me about what to do when I’m inheriting runners and how to attack in most situations,” Teodo said. “For me, it was very eye-opening. I was impressed with the environment there. The most important thing is you have to focus every day.”
The biggest question with Teodo is his future role. His fastball/breaking ball combo could be more effective as a reliever than a starter.
“I see myself as a starter,” he said. “I want to improve my routine as far as how to get ready start after start. I know because of my velo, some people see me as a reliever or a closer, but I just want to get better.”
RANGERS ROUNDUP
— RighthanderCole Winn, the Rangers’ first-round pick in 2018 out of high school, made his MLB debut on April 14 at Houston and put together scoreless outings in his first four career appearances. Winn was one of five Rangers players to make their MLB debuts early in the season.
— The key to the fast start early this season for righthanderWinston Santos was a revamping of his four-seam fastball. The pitch helped him post a 0.44 ERA after his first four starts at High-A Hickory with 31 strikeouts in 20.2 innings.
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