Is Emiliano Teodo a bullpen option for the Texas Rangers in 2024?

The cons of promoting Teodo to the majors

The anti-argument starts with the fact he may not be ready. He is 23-years old, but 2024 is just his third full season to play in the minors. He still has not pitched above High-A at this point in his career. He did excel in the Arizona Fall League last year, but that was the highest level of competition he has faced. He could certainly use more seasoning in the upper minors. It might not be the worst idea for him to spend most of this season in Frisco and then maybe a late season promotion to Round Rock. He then can be an option in 2025.

The second reason is that likely brings to an end Texas trying to develop Teodo into a starting pitcher. Teodo in his first two full seasons has made 31 starts. That includes a few headline-inducing starts back in 2022. On August 4th he threw five hitless innings with 10 strikeouts and just one walk. He followed that up on August 25th with four hitless innings and 11 strikeouts with three walks. This was in his time at Low-A Down East. He did not have as many starts like that at High-A in 2023. He did have a start in August last season where he threw five innings, allowed two hits, struck out nine, and walked two. Does Texas really want to pull the plug on this experiment to make him a full-time reliever?

The final reason to not promote Teodo is because they have a lot of other relievers they need to find out about in 2024 before they reach down and get Teodo. That list includes Marc Church, Owen White, Jonathan Hernandez, Rule 5 draft pick Carson Coleman, Antoine Kelly, Yerry Rodriguez, Grant Anderson, and Zak Kent. It would feel like they are giving Teodo a shot before finding out about all of these other pitchers. Hopefully, by the end of 2024 we will have an idea whether that list above can be major league relievers. Then in 2025 Texas can add Teodo to the group and give him an opportunity.

Next: What the plan should be for Teodo in 2024