Imagine stepping onto the field for your first major league training camp and immediately turning heads with a fastball that clocks in at 100 mph. That’s exactly what Gavin Collyer has done at the Texas Rangers’ camp, leaving everyone wondering: Can this late-round draft pick actually crack the roster?
But here’s where it gets controversial: Collyer wasn’t always a standout. Drafted in the 12th round in 2019, he spent years in the minors with a modest 4.36 ERA, struggling to find his place in a league where velocity reigns supreme. And this is the part most people miss: It wasn’t until he faced the harsh reality of potential career extinction that he transformed himself into the pitcher he is today.
After topping out at just 93 mph in 2022, Collyer knew he had to reinvent himself. ‘I’ve got to figure something out or my career is over,’ he recalled. Through a grueling regimen of weighted balls, plyometric workouts, and relentless bullpen sessions, he pushed his fastball into the 95-98 mph range. Pair that with a high-spin sweeper that MLB Pipeline calls ‘devastating,’ and you’ve got a pitcher who’s suddenly impossible to ignore.
‘That will open your eyes,’ Rangers manager Skip Schumaker remarked, highlighting Collyer’s ability to generate elite swing-and-miss potential with his fastball—a rarity in today’s game. But it’s not all smooth sailing. Collyer’s walk rate remains a concern, with Schumaker bluntly labeling it ‘not healthy.’ Last season, he walked 6.15 batters per nine innings at Double-A Frisco and struggled with command after his promotion to Triple-A Round Rock.
Here’s the bold question: Can Collyer refine his control enough to secure a spot in the Rangers’ bullpen? He’s already added a low-90s cutter to his arsenal, which he plans to use against both lefties and righties to get ahead in counts. ‘I’ve got to get that first-pitch strike,’ he insists. If he can master this, his four-seam fastball and sweeper could become unstoppable two-strike weapons.
At 24, Collyer’s journey from a non-roster invite to a buzzworthy prospect is nothing short of inspiring. The Rangers invested $585,000 to sign him out of Clemson, and now, with his first contract expired, they’ve re-signed him to a minor league deal. But will it be enough? With only two or three bullpen spots up for grabs, Collyer’s spring performance will be under the microscope.
What do you think? Is Gavin Collyer the real deal, or is his success just a flash in the pan? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate you won’t want to miss!
