Skip Schumaker chooses amazing way to inform Rangers' Rule 5 pick big league news

The final days of spring training comes with a lot of tough conversations but that makes the good news that much sweeter.

During Monday's exhibition game at Globe Life Field, Rangers' manager Skip Schumaker chose an unconventional yet memorable moment to inform Rule 5 Draft pick Carter Baumler he did what he needed to do to make the Rangers' Opening Day roster.

Surrounded by his teammates, Baumler will never forget this moment as he becomes the first Rangers' Rule 5 Draft pick to make the Opening Day roster since Brett de Geus in 2021.

Long road for Baumler paid off, ready for MLB Debut

The former fifth round pick in the shortened 2020 draft out of a high school in Des Moines, Iowa, the 24-year-old right-hander saw his fair shares of ups and downs coming into professional baseball. Immediately following his selection, Baumler underwent Tommy John Surgery and didn't make his pro debut until two years later.

He dealt with more injuries, including a shoulder surgery in 2022 and back issues last season which has limited him to only 88 career innings in the minor leagues. It's been great numbers for Baumler though, recording a 3.05 ERA in that span.

Last season, he reached Baltimore's Double-A during a campaign where he pitched 39.2 innings to the tune of a 2.04 ERA, 46 strikeouts, 18 walks and a 1.04 WHIP. While Texas did not make a big league selection in December's Rule 5 Draft, Texas traded for Baumler, who was selected by the Pirates.

Baumler is projected to be important role in Rangers' bullpen

In Texas's case of searching for a refreshed bullpen for yet another season, the needs for high-powered arms to get batters out late in games is of high importance.

While no dedicated closer has been identified it's expected that Texas will go into the year with either Chris Martin or Robert garcia in that role. That means the one not selected will go into another late inning role with a guy like Baumler expected to go before them.

After an 11-pitch scoreless fifth inning, Baumler finished his first spring with Texas with 9.1 innings of work, allowing just one unearned run to cross for a 0.00 ERA, 10 strikeouts, two walks, 0.64 WHIP and a .121 opponent average.

Next to Garcia, Martin and Buamler, expect the bullpen to consists of Tyler Alexander, Jalen Beeks, Jakob Junis, Jacob Latz, Cole Winn and one still to be named (likely Josh Sborz).