The Rangers selected Gavin Fien, a third baseman and shortstop out of Great Oak (Calif.) high school, with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft on Sunday.
Fien, MLB Pipeline’s No. 22 Draft prospect, is coming off a stellar summer of 2024 that put the California prep standout among the top high school hitters in this year’s Draft class. He hit .400 for Team USA in the 18-and-under World Cup qualifier in Panama, then had two hits and two RBIs in the 2024 MLB High School All-American Game to win the MLB Develops MVP Award.
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The 6-foot-3 right-handed slugger’s swing consistently produces line drives, with evaluators projecting more power to come. Fien hit five homers as a senior for Great Oak this spring after slugging three in each of his past two seasons. Despite the improved power, he took a bit of a step back statistically in 2025, batting .358 as a senior after hitting .410 as a sophomore and .411 as a junior. Known for his unorthodox setup at the plate with high hands, Fien tended to struggle finding his rhythm at the plate this spring and was often late in pulling the trigger.
It’s a concern for a player whose five tools all project as average or better, according to MLB Pipeline. Fien’s throwing arm, which received a plus grade of 55 on the 20-80 scale, is his best attribute. His arm is good enough for him to stick at third base, although he could end up at first base or in a corner-outfield spot. While his added strength has allowed him to run better, speed will never be a major part of Fien’s game.