The Rangers drafted Cody Buckel in the second round (72nd overall) of the 2010 MLB Draft and handed him a $425,000 signing bonus. A short, athletic right-hander with some Lincecum/Gallardo drop ‘n drive in his delivery, Buckel has spent his first two seasons in pro ball shredding the low minors. He’s got the command and the stuff to succeed and a high level and he draws comps to his close friend, Trevor Bauer. Like Bauer, he uses his entire body to generate tremendous torque, adding hardcore spin and explosive life to his fastball. He has a deep repertoire of secondary pitches as well, including a curveball that he learned from watching Barry Zito while growing up in Southern California. But what makes Buckel a top prospect is his command and pitchability. Simply put, he knows how to get batters out.
Buckel is developing in to a favorite of his coaches and those in the Rangers organization. His charisma and interesting personality add star-power to his immense talent. We will post a full scouting report on Buckel on Friday, May 4th– be sure to check it out.
Cody Buckel Texas Rangers Top Pitching Prospect from Ryan Kelley on Vimeo.