Look for this Rangers' pitcher to play a major bullpen role in 2026

Fans know the contributions they will get from relievers like Chris Martin, Robert Garcia and Cole Winn but the Texas Rangers will still need to find magic in other forms and it's possible this two-time World Series champion could provide it.

Signed right before pitchers and catchers reported to spring training on Feb. 10, 38-year-old Ryan Brasier, is aiming to restore a bit of talent and make the Rangers bullpen coming out of Opening Day.

With the makeup of the reliever core, Brasier is just a solid four to five spring games from doing just that.

Brasier's World Series resume bodes well for rebuilding Rangers' bullpen

A once sixth round draft pick by the Los Angeles Angels who spent a season reforming his pitch mechanics overseas in Nippon Professional Baseball returned to the big leagues in 2018 with the Boston Red Sox.

It was in Boston when he played with current Rangers's co-ace Nathan Eovaldi, winning the World Series over the Los Angeles Dodgers. That season, Brasier appeared in 34 games with a 1.60 ERA, 29 strikeouts and only seven walks. That postseason was just as dominate, allowing only one run in nine appearances out of the pen.

Fast forward to 2024, the right-hander won his second championship with the Dodgers, playing a key role out of the bullpen for L.A. throughout the year.

Braiser's K/BB ratio fits right into Rangers' style

Throughout Brasier's nine-year MLB career, he's consistently ranked among the best relievers when it comes to walk rate. Last year, although he didn't pitch enough innings to qualify, he still ranked in the top 10 percentile with a 4.8 percent walk rate. In 311 career innings, Brasier has recorded 301 strikeouts to only 89 walks.

The Rangers were a great pitching staff last year, leading the entire MLB in ERA (3.47), WHIP (1.18) and earned runs (557). They were even among the top clubs in walks allowed, only surrendering 463 free bases, good for sixth-best in the league.

What might hurt Brasier is his inability to stay on the mound. Throughout the last two seasons, Brasier has only appeared in 57 games with the Dodgers and Chicago Cubs due to calf and groin strains. It has also caused his performance to be inconsistent, which is why he was only able to land a minor league deal this offseason.

Regardless, Brasier is exactly the type of arm that can shine in a bullpen such as Texas. He's a proven veteran with championship pedigree. And while he can be an arm that sees action in the final inning of the ball game, he's not being pressured to be.