Maton to Rangers

[DickyBennett]

For 2 prospects per Katie Woo

[Cardinals4Life]

For 2 prospects per Katie Woo

Which 2?

[swatski]

Laurel and Hardy

[butsir01]

Gummo and Zeppo

[Cardinals4Life]

Laurel and Hardy

Haha. You nade me start to look that up for a sec!! Hahaha

[Futuregm2]

WE GOT MOLINA!!!!

Oh wait LHP Mason Molina

And RHP Skyler Hales

[cardinalsfever44]

Mason Molina Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 40 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 45 | Overall: 40

Molina looked like a potential first-round pick early in his college career at Texas Tech and was invited to try out for the U.S. collegiate national team in the summer of 2023. He transferred to Arkansas for his junior season, during which he battled an ankle injury and control issues before the Brewers selected him in the seventh round last July. The Rangers acquired him in a January trade for Grant Anderson.

Though Molina's fastball sits at just 90-91 mph and tops out at 95, it's effective because it rides past bats at the top of the strike zone. His best pitch is a plus low-80s changeup that sinks and helps his heater work better. He employs two distinct breaking balls with depth and does a better job of landing his low-80s slider than his mid-70s curveball for strikes.

Molina tends to work up with his fastball and down with his secondary offerings, and he could use a pitch with more lateral movement. He has done a better job of throwing strikes in pro ball than he did with the Razorbacks, enhancing his chances of becoming a No. 4 or 5 starter. He carries 230 pounds on his 6-foot-2 frame, so he'll have to stay on top of his conditioning.

[WLTFE]

For 2 prospects per Katie Woo

Which 2?

Cheech and Chong?

[Strummer Jones]

For 2 prospects per Katie Woo

Which 2?

Cheech and Chong?

Amos and Andy

[cardinalsfever44]

Skylar Hayes Scouting Report:

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 40 | Slider: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 40

The Rangers made Hales the third reliever taken in the 2023 Draft, selecting him in the fourth round out of Santa Clara. He finished his pro debut in the High-A South Atlantic League playoffs, then advanced to Double-A midway through his first full season before getting some extra work in the Arizona Fall League. He could reach the big leagues in 2025 if he can find a reliable pitch to complement his fastball, which can be unhittable at times.

Hales turns to his heater about two-thirds of the time, operating at 94-97 mph and reaching 100 with tremendous carry and deception as well as some armside run. His mid-80s slider is his most trusted secondary pitch and features sharp horizontal action at its best, though it doesn’t result in many chases or empty swings. He got roughed up in the AFL while fiddling with a low-80s curveball he couldn’t throw for strikes and an upper-80s cutter that didn’t fool anyone.

Hales works from a low slot with a short arm action in back, and his mechanics allow his fastball to get on hitters more quickly than they expect. He has a history of filling the strike zone when he comes out of the bullpen, and his competitiveness contributes to his ceiling as high-leverage option.

[DickyBennett]

27th and 28th ranked prospects for Texas

[craviduce]

WE GOT MOLINA!!!!

Oh wait LHP Mason Molina

And RHP Skyler Hales

International Slot Money, too

[Strummer Jones]

To spare you all the same poor fate that I suffered...don't go looking at Skylar Hales numbers this year.

[sdaltons]

Hayes sounds promising. Molina - not so much.

[Aday96]

Waiting til the last second and that's the best return Mo could get? Pretty underwhelming with how good Maton has been this year and what relievers have been returning this deadline. Classic Mo deadline playing it safe.

[Futuregm2]

Hayes sounds promising. Molina - not so much.

Hayes has a 7.64 ERA this year.

Honestly peripherals aren’t bad though.