This Rangers' top prospect needs to be called up before May 1

The Texas Rangers are 8-2, the best record in the American League, and are a few pieces away from firing on all cylinders to get the season started.

They've played three series in 2025 and have won all three, including a series sweep over Tampa Bay this weekend. The offense is still struggling to get its feet wet, with the team batting average under .200 and while the pitching has one of the best ERAs in the league, it can always get better.

With the addition of this top reliever in the Rangers' organization, Texas can be moved to new heights early this year.

The Rangers need to just go ahead and call up Emiliano Teodo already

Emiliano Teodo was one of the brightest spots on the roster this spring, recording two saves in three scoreless innings of work. During the spring, many were thinking that Teodo would land the closer role that was vacant, which is now in the hands of Luke Jackson. However, the Rangers decided to start him in Triple-A to continue building his stock as a starting pitcher.

Not sure what has changed from then to now but early in the season, Teodo has only seen innings out of the bullpen with the Round Rock Express. And he's been as good as advertised posting a 1-0 record and seven strikeouts in five scoreless innings of work.

Teodo, 24, was signed as an international free agent in January 2020 out of the Dominican Republic and is now the No. 6 prospect in the organization. The right-hander features a high-90s four-seam fastball that can top out in the triple digits and a mid-80s devastating slider that generated a 58% swing-and-miss rate last year. He also offers a changeup but the two earlier pitches are his bread and butter.

While Teodo has been used primarily as a starter in his professional career, 50 starts in 82 games, he has been pitched his first five innings of 2025 out of the bullpen for Triple-A Round Rock. In 20 games last year, Teodo recorded a 5-4 record with a 1.98 ERA, 110 strikeouts and an opponent batting average of .178.

Unlike the last two seasons, the brightest spot at the major league level for Texas has been it's pitching, which has the fifth best ERA in the league. While it begins with the starting rotation, the bullpen, highlighted by Robert Garcia, Chris Martin and Luke Jackson, has been just as lockdown and clutch.

Naturally there are a few arms that might be struggling. Marc Church had a tough outing on Sunday and Gerson Garabito has surrendered four runs and nine hits in 4 2/3 innings. I get that Garabito provides longer relief for the Rangers but Teodo could help transform that bullpen to new heights.