Texas Rangers Sign Righty Pitcher Brandon Cumpton

The pitching depth continues to grow as the Texas Rangers add more arms to their organization. They bring in Brandon Cumpton, but how will he impact the organization?

The Texas Rangers continue to bring in low-cost pitchers and add to their pitching depth for the 2018 season. They signed right-handed pitcher Brandon Cumpton to a minor-league contract, and intend on him being a starter.

Cumpton, 29, has spent his entire career in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization until now. He pitched in the Major Leagues during 2013 and 2014, but injuries derailed his career. Cumpton pitched on the Pirates when current Rangers manager Jeff Banister was the bench coach in Pittsburgh.

Cumpton is 5-5 with a 4.02 ERA in 22 games (15 starts) with the Pirates in parts of two seasons. He underwent Tommy John surgery in March of 2015, which forced him to miss the entire season. He missed all of the 2016 campaign after having shoulder surgery.

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Last season, Cumpton went 5-4 with a 3.86 ERA in 24 games with one save in the Pirates minor leagues. He converted into the bullpen after suffering two injuries that cost him two years of his career.

The Rangers don’t plan on keeping Cumpton in the bullpen. They want him to stretch back out and become a starter again. He’ll likely have a better chance at joining the Rangers as a starter. The bullpen in Arlington is stacked with multiple options.

Cumpton will likely get a chance in Spring Training to earn a spot on the team. He could give the Rangers Triple-A depth, and possibly someone they can call on in the bullpen or rotation in 2018.