This under-the-radar offseason bullpen signing could pay off for Rangers

Texas Rangers signed former Nationals righty reliever Mason Thompson to minor league deal

About a week ago, the Texas Rangers and right-handed reliever Mason Thompson agreed to a minor league deal, according to the team's transaction log. Given Thompson's big-league experience, he'll likely be in big league camp during spring training.

The San Diego Padres selected Thompson from Round Rock High School in the third round of the 2016 MLB Draft. The Texas native pitched just three innings for the Padres in 2021 before being traded to the Washington Nationals at the 2021 trade deadline for righty pitcher Daniel Hudson.

After sporting a 4.15 ERA in 21 1/3 innings with Washington in 2021, Thompson posted a 2.92 ERA in 24 2/3 innings in 2022. He had a 5.50 ERA over 54 innings with the Nationals during 2023 before undergoing Tommy John surgery in spring of 2024. He returned to big-league action last season, struggling with an awful 11.81 ERA in 10 2/3 innings with Washington and a 6.00 ERA across 16 innings in the minors. He became a free agent at the end of the season.

Thompson mainly relies on a sinker-slider combo. His sinker averaged 95 mph last season, and his slider sits in the mid-80s. He also occasionally mixes in a mid-90s four-seamer, low-80s curveball and high-80s changeup.

Signing Mason Thompson could pay off for Rangers despite his past struggles

Thompson's career 4.53 ERA isn't terrible, but his 17.7% strikeout rate and 10% walk rate are noticeably below league average. However, he has a formidable 51.1% career ground-ball rate and 37.0% hard-hit rate. Since the Rangers don't have the budget to add relievers known to strikeout a lot of opponents, such as Seranthony Domínguez, this offseason, adding a guy with an excellent ground-ball rate like Thompson on a minor league deal is a good way for Texas to continue its low-cost bullpen rebuild.

Thompson is another depth piece for a Rangers bullpen that was dismantled after the season concluded due to a large number of relievers becoming free agents. Notable reliever additions for Texas this offseason include Jakob Junis, Alexis Díaz, Tyler Alexander, Ryan Brasier and Michel Otañez. The Rangers also re-signed veteran righty Chris Martin to an MLB deal and World Series hero Josh Sborz to a minor league deal. Additionally, they acquired righty reliever Carter Baumler via a trade during the Rule 5 Draft.

Thompson will have to outperform several other relievers this spring if he wants to make the Rangers' opening day roster. Otherwise, he'll likely begin the season with Triple-A Round Rock.