Rangers sign RHP Cody Buckel

Arlington, Texas – The Texas Rangers announced today that the club has signed right-handed pitcher Cody Buckel, the club’s second round selection in the 2010 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. He has been assigned to the Arizona League.

Buckel, 18, was selected in the second round (72nd overall) out of Royal High School in Simi Valley, California. The 6-foot, 170-pound right-hander went 12-1 with a 0.61 ERA his senior season, recording 123 strikeouts. On March 24 against Westlake Village, he tossed a no-hitter, recording 10 strikeouts against a single walk. He also played shortstop for his high school team.

Buckel was committed to Pepperdine University. He was ranked by ESPN as the 66th-best prospect entering the draft. He was also rated by Baseball America as the 34th-best prospect in California, the 72nd-best right-handed pitcher, and 157th-best prospect overall.

With Buckel’s signing, the Rangers now have 31 of the club’s 53 draft selections under contract, including the top 2, 6 of the top 7, and 14 of the top 16. An updated draft list is attached to this release.