For the first time since they selected Cole Winn with the 15th overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, the Rangers have picked a high-school prospect in the first round.

Last night, the Rangers took shortstop Gavin Fien from Great Oak (Calif.) High School with the 12th overall pick.

Rangers scouting director Kip Flagg said he thought Texas got “one of the better bats in this draft,” While Baseball America called Fien “one of the most well-rounded hitters in the high school class.

This spring, Fien hit .358 (34-95) with 5 home runs, one triple, 6 doubles, 16 RBI, 24 runs, 8 stolen bases, and more walks (11) than strikeouts (9) in 30 games.

During his 91-game high school career, Fien slashed .378/.451/.633/1.084 (108-286) with 12 home runs, 4 triples, 29 doubles, and 65 RBI.

In 2024, Fien was a member of the USA 18 U National Team, where he hit .400 with 11 RBI and a 1.109 OPS for the Americans, who went 8-0 en route to a Gold Medal.

Although Fien has not officially signed with the Rangers as of yet, he indicated that he would be forgoing his commitment to the University of Texas.

Despite many projecting Fien to be playing on a corner, the Rangers are committed to keeping him at shortstop.

“He’s a good defender,” Fagg said. “I think one thing we do really well as a Minor League system is make guys better defenders and get them to their highest level. I trust our guys. We’re going to put this guy at shortstop and see what happens. I’m not going to put any restraints on this guy.”

As of now, power isn’t a huge part of Fien’s game as he hit just five home runs last year, but scouts project that it will come with time.

Fien was rated with a 50 grade tool for both hitting and power by MLB Pipeline, with an overall grade also coming in at 50.

He’s a good all-around player,” Fagg said. “We like the bat, we like the defense. There is power here. He’s got elite exit velos and has shown power throughout his high school career. We like the hit tool, also. It’s a clean swing, he uses the field, and with impact. We’re excited about this bat.”