Fast-rising Rangers prospect Dalton Pence could force his way into 2027 starting rotation

As the Texas Rangers struggle to make up ground on the Astros in the AL West, there are some players really showing out in the minor league system. One of them is starting pitcher Dalton Pence, who is cruising through the ranks and appears close to being ready to challenge for the 5th starting spot in the Rangers' starting rotation next year.

Kumar Rocker has a tenuous hold on that spot right now, and he'll face plenty of competition for his job no matter how well the big right-hander finishes the regular season. Outside of Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, MacKenzie Gore, and perhaps an ascending Cal Quantrill, should Texas re-sign him, no other Rangers starter has sewn up a starting spot in 2027. Why can't it be Pence, who is throwing really well and is on an upward trajectory?

Look for Dalton Pence to challenge for a spot at the back end of the Rangers' starting rotation in 2027

Pence was drafted in the 11th round of the 2024 Amateur Draft out of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has quickly made his way from rookie ball to Triple-A Round Rock in less than two seasons while maintaining a 2.56 ERA and 1.103 WHIP. He has also cracked the Rangers' top 10 prospects list at No. 10, according to MLB. com.

After posting a 2.73 at both Hub City and Hickory in 2025, the lefty was promoted to Double-A Frisco in 2026, where he continued to shine with a 2.77 ERA over 55.1 innings pitched with 61 strikeouts. That was good enough to get him to Round Rock, where he has only gotten better as the minor league season winds down. With the Express, Pence has registered a 4-1 record with a 1.88 ERA over 34.2 innings. He needs to work on the walks, as he has given up 17 free passes. Still, he has kept his WHIP at a very respectable 1.24.

Pence relies on a three-pitch arsenal based heavily on a plus four-seam fastball that tops out at around 96 mph and uses a low-80s breaking ball to change of pace pitch or to get ahead in the count. He'll also mix in an occasional slider for good measure.

The leash on Rocker is just about as taut as it has been since the team used a first-round draft pick on him in 2022. He is having many of the same issues that he had as a first-year starter, and his mental lapses, like not covering first base on grounders to the right side, haven't helped. With Jack Leiter still recovering from right ankle posterior impingement and a recent bout of biceps soreness while trying to rehab, both of the Vandy stars have had steps backward this season and are not sure bets to be in the rotation when the team breaks camp next March.

If Pence can continue to improve his command and show Skip Schumaker that he is ready for the challenge, he should be in the mix for a starting spot either to start the 2027 season or in long relief. We could also see Rocker and/or Leiter's role change next season, with one of them moving to the bullpen.

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