Nicholas Pratto: Everything you need to know

The Rangers signed Pratto to a minor-league contract Thursday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports. Pratto has slashed only .216/.295/.364 with an ugly 38.7 percent strikeout rate across 144 games in the majors and has been stuck in the minors each of the last two seasons. He's still just 27 and a former top-100 prospect, so the Rangers will find out whether a change of scenery will do Pratto some good. Most likely, he will begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Round Rock.

Pratto cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Omaha on Sunday. The 26-year-old missed out on Kansas City's Opening Day roster after slashing .200/.351/.333 with 13 strikeouts in 37 plate appearances during spring training. Pratto made just one appearance with the Royals last year and had a .728 OPS in 116 contests at Omaha.

Pratto is working in the outfield this spring in an effort to win a utility role, MLB.com reports. He's competing with Dairon Blanco, Joey Wiemer and Drew Waters for a bench spot. Pratto hit just .240 with 16 home runs and a .728 OPS at Triple-A last season but still has significant power as he hit 36 homers in the minors in 2021. He's likely a long shot to win a roster spot, though he is out of options. He's hitting just 1-for-10 in his first five spring games.