Underlooked Division 2 Rangers' draft pick shining in first stop of professional baseball

Texas Rangers prospect J.D. McReynolds might just be a 2025 10th-round pick from a Division II Central Missouri but he is off to a strong start in his first couple of professional-level games.

McReynolds, a relief pitcher with Single-A Hickory, has pitched in 5.1 innings through four games so far this season for the Crawdads. However, with one win, three saves and no earned runs; he could be one of the better under-the-radar prospects for the Rangers.

McReynolds was the Rangers' only Division II draftee of 2025

McReynolds was actually the only Division II player the Rangers drafted last season, in fact he was one of just 14 D-II players.

However, when you look at the journey he's had so far, it makes sense. A star at Central Missouri, McReynolds never recorded a ERA above 4.00 in his four seasons as a Mule. He actually finished his college career with a 1.78 ERA, in 121.3 innings of work. Something that would've made him a higher draft pick if he wasn't from a D-II school.

One thing that stands out about McReynolds is that he won't be a pitcher that's known for his fastball, currently running in the low 90s. For him, it's the changeup that has been his bread and butter, generating a 56 percent whiff rate.

"They're getting a competitor, somebody who's not going to back down no matter what," McReynolds said in an interview with KMOV St. Louis when asked what Rangers' fans should expect from him. "I'm there to go win, and I'm there to beat people. If you want to try and stop it, go ahead, but I'm going to do everything I can to beat you. I'm not ever throwing in the towel."

At this rate, he's making it clear that he doesn't want to be in Hickory very long. In a long season, one thing’s certain: he’s pitching like someone determined to force the issue.

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