Rangers select Jonathan Brand in the Minor League phase of the Rule 5 Draft

The Texas Rangers did not select a player in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 Draft, although they did execute a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates. They did select right-handed pitcher Jonathan Brand from the Double-A roster of the Boston Red Sox in the Minor League phase.

Rangers acquire Rule 5 Pick from Pittsburgh

The Rangers didn’t pick anyone in the Major League portion of the Rule 5 draft, but still managed to come away with a Rule 5 pick. They made a trade with the Pirates who had the 5th selection. They traded jailer Garcia and cash to Pittsburgh

Player profile

Brand, 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, will turn 26 on February 20, 2026 and was drafted by the Red Sox in the eighth round of the 2022 draft out of Miami University (Ohio). He was first assigned to the Florida Complex League (FCL), where he pitched two innings and struck out three batters.

Brand has a five-pitch arsenal: a fastball (89-92 mph), curveball (76-80 mph), sweeper (79-83 mph), changeup (83-85 mph) and slider (85-87 mph).

Brand has pitched exclusively out of the bullpen and hasn’t started since being drafted.

Season 2023 (low-A)

Brand spent the entire 2023 season in Low-A with the Salem Red Sox. He posted a 2.58 ERA over 38.1 innings, walking 14 batters and striking out 47. His stats include a WHIP of 0.991 and an impressive 11 strikeouts per nine innings.

Season 2024 (high-A/double-A)

During the 2024 season, he split time between High-A and Double-A.

• Greenville Drive (High-A): He pitched 11.2 innings and allowed just one unearned run before being promoted.
• Portland Sea Dogs (Double-A): He logged 44.1 innings with a 4.67 ERA, recording 19 walks and 33 strikeouts for a 1.421 WHIP.

Season 2025 (high-A/double-A/triple-A)

In 2025, Brand saw action on three different levels:

• Greenville Drive (High-A): He pitched 20.1 innings and had an exceptional 0.89 ERA, walking just four while striking out 18.
• Portland Sea Dogs (Double-A): He pitched another 31.0 innings and posted a 3.48 ERA with 12 walks and 41 strikeouts.
• Worcester Red Sox (Triple-A): His lone appearance came on April 27, where he allowed four runs on one hit and four walks before being sent back to Double-A.

For the 2025 season, Brand held right-handed hitters to a .228 average and left-handed hitters to a .219 average.
The Texas Rangers assigned him to their Triple-A affiliate, the Round Rock Express.

The Rangers lost two of their prospects selected by other teams.

– RHP Jackson Kelley (TEX AA ​​selection) of the Chicago White Sox. – RHP Kyle Larsen (TEX A-selection) of the Pittsburgh Pirates.