Scorching hot Rangers' prospect among latest round of spring training roster moves

The Texas Rangers made their second round of big roster moves this spring as the hunt to finalize the final rosters before Opening Day later this month.

On Sunday, the Rangers announced a dozen roster moves, including a waiver claim of outfielder Dairon Blanco, placing Jordan Montgomery on the IL and re-assigning Aaron Zavala to minor league camp.

Among the 12 moves, 10 were re-assignments, including two of the team's top 30 prospects being sent to Double-A Frisco.

Rundown of the Texas Rangers' roster moves this weekend

Blanco from Kansas City to Texas

The 33-year-old Blanco made his big league debut with Kansas City in 2022 and the Cuban native has played 171 career big league games with the Royals. His biggest strength is his speed, recording 59 stolen bases.

Montgomery to 60-Day IL

Rangers' 2023 World Series legend who reunited this spring with Texas is still in the middle of recovering Tommy John last year and in conjunction was moved off the 40-man roster to the 60-Day injured list.

Pitchers David Davalillo and Leandro Lopez optioned to Frisco

Inside the Rangers' top 30 prospects, both right-handed pitchers Davalillo and Lopez have been sent to Double-A after getting a combined four games of work in big league camp this spring. The 23-year-old Davalillo broke out in High-A and Double-A last year and is expected to do the same.

For Lopez, the Dominican native also had a terrific season with High-A and Double-A to the tune of a 2.84 ERA in 28 starts. Both are going to make fantastic early season additions to the Roughriders starting rotation this year.

8 others re-assigned the Rangers' minor league camp

The other moves include: RHPs Ryan Lobus, Eric Loomis, Patrick Murphy, and Trey Supak, LHP Robby Ahlstrom, INF Andrew Velazquez, OF Aaron Zavala and C Cooper Johnson.

Among the most surprising of these moves is the Rangers' second round draft pick from 2021, Zavala. In 10 games this spring, the 25-year-old was hitting .458 with a pair of home runs, seven runs driven in, 19 total bases and a 1.272 OPS. The move made sense though as the backlog in the outfield was going to be too much for Zavala to overcome.

Other moves to pay attention to for the remainder of spring and into the regular season is Johnson, utility man Velazquez and right-handed pitcher Murphy.