Rangers sign top 2025 draft pick, former Longhorns recruit Gavin Fien

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Once committed to the Texas Longhorns baseball program, infielder Gavin Fien signed another kind of commitment further north on Interstate 35.

The Texas Rangers signed Fien, the No. 12 overall pick in the 2025 MLB First-Year Player Draft, and made the announcement Tuesday in Arlington. He threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Rangers game against the Athletics, a 6-2 win.

According to Jim Callis of MLB.com, Fien’s contract included a $4.8 million signing bonus, considered “under slot,” meaning it was below the assigned amount for the pick. In Fien’s case, the assigned slot value for the No. 12 overall pick this year was roughly $5.75 million, meaning the Rangers have extra money to sign other draft picks before the July 28 deadline.

The 18-year-old shortstop from Great Oaks High School in Temecula, California, said signing his first professional contract was “a surreal feeling.”

“To be part of a quality organization is something I’ll forever be grateful for,” he said.

Kip Fagg, the Rangers’ senior director of amateur scouting, said the club was “very fortunate” to sign him.

“He’s going to work his tail off, and I hope he gets up here soon,” he said.

Fien’s older brother, Dylan, was picked by the Athletics in the seventh round in the 2024 draft.

The Longhorns lost another recruit in the draft to the Diamondbacks. Arizona signed No. 18 overall pick Kayson Cunningham to a contract Monday, according to Callis, with a full slot $4.58 million bonus.