Texas Rangers Acquire OF Alexander Ovalles as PTBNL from Cubs

The Texas Rangers announced that 17-year old, Alexander Ovalles, is the Player To Be Named Later in the trade that sent Cole Hamels to the Cubs.

The final piece of the trade that sent Cole Hamels to the Chicago Cubs was made known on Tuesday. Texas acquired 17-year old outfielder, Alexander Ovalles as the Player to be Named Later in the deal. Ovalles rounds out the return package that also the Rangers acquire relief pitcher Eddie Butler and pitching prospect Rollie Lacy.

Ovalles, a Dominican born player, signed with the Cubs back in July of 2017 as an international free agent.The outfielder both throws and hits left-handed and has logged time in all three outfield spots as well as 5 games at first base. In June of this year, Ovalles was assigned to the Dominican Summer League. For the Cubs in the DSL, Ovalles has hit .316 in 21 games. With an OPS of .799 and an impressive .430 on-base percentage, Ovalles shows impressive plate discipline walking 16 times compared to just 14 strikeouts.

With Ovalles now known as the final piece of the deal, it’s now time to admit that I’m a bit disappointed in the value of the return. While Butler has team control for a number of years and prospect Rollie Lacy has pitched well in A-ball, I thought Cole Hamels could net a bit bigger of a return. Two low end prospects and a middle reliever who is average seems low for my admittedly tempered expectations. It’s clearly evidence that the Texas Rangers were in a tough spot trying to move on Cole Hamels and his contract after his poor performances this year. One would’ve though the Rangers could’ve at least netted a mid-level pitching prospect and most hoped that the PTBNL would be the “headliner” of the return. Obviously we have to wait and see what kind of player Rollie Lacy and Alexander Ovalles develop into but at this point, it looks like the Rangers mainly just offloaded some of Hamels salary in the deal.

Ovalles has been assigned to the Texas Rangers Dominican Summer League affiliate whom he will play for when he returns from the Disabled List.

Texas still has two PTBNL from deals made at this year’s trade deadline. We still await a player from the Keone Kela trade as well as the Jake Diekman deal.