| Player: Dalton Pence | |||||||||||
| Org: Texas Rangers | Highest Level: Double A | Position(s): LHP | |||||||||
| Height: 6’2″ | Weight: 215 lbs. | Bats: Left | Throws: Left | ||||||||
| Summary: An athletic delivery that gets down the mound well with a low release point and above-average extension gives Pence a fastball that plays well beyond the raw velocity. Sitting 91-93 and touching 95 with plenty of IVB, the heater misses bats when located at the top of the zone and has the carry and command profile of a potential plus pitch. The consistent strike-throwing without catching too much of the plate is a legitimate differentiator — attacking the zone with that kind of fastball quality gives the profile a high floor regardless of where the secondary development lands. The slider is the secondary with the most long-term upside — flashing a cutter-like shape that projects as above-average and gives him a weapon to complement the fastball against both platoons. A splitter and changeup both sitting in the low 80s showed more action and bat-missing ability in the pro debut than the college numbers suggested, and a curveball is a fourth option that the Rangers are emphasizing as a wider-breaking look to add shape variety. The organization has intentionally dialed back the fastball-heavy approach from college to force secondary development, which speaks to the belief in the arsenal depth. The reliever profile is the more likely outcome where the fastball can operate at full intensity in shorter stints and the slider plays up without the demands of a full arsenal against a lineup multiple times. The back-end starter path remains open if the slider and splitter both take meaningful steps — the fastball and command give the rotation ceiling a legitimate foundation to build on if the secondaries deliver. | |||||||||||
Shaun Kernahan is the founder and lead writer of Three Quarter Slot, where he blends scouting precision with a storyteller’s eye for the human side of the game. Based in Parker, Colorado, he has covered baseball prospects at every level since 2013, delivering in-depth evaluations, draft analysis, and developmental insight. Over the years, he has built Three Quarter Slot into a trusted home for thoughtful prospect coverage, detailed scouting reports, and a grounded look at how talent evolves
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