A continuing look at the Rangers 40-man roster.

KYLE CODY
Age: 26
Right-Handed Pitcher 

Kyle Cody was one of the lone bright spots in the Rangers’ last-place 2020 season. The twenty-six-year-old right-hander had never pitched higher than Single-A but, because the Rangers rotation was decimated by injury and by guys like Jordan Lyles, Cody was given a shot. And he made the best of it.

Cody’s road to the major leagues started by being drafted three times. In the thirty-third round by the Phillies in 2012 out of high school. In the second round in 2015 by the Minnesota Twins out of the University of Kentucky. Unable to come to terms with the Twins, Cody went back to college and then was drafted the following year in the sixth round by the Rangers. 

He was named the Rangers Nolan Ryan Pitcher of the Year in 2017. But an elbow injury delayed the first three months of his 2018 season. He came back for a few innings, then underwent Tommy John surgery, shutting him down for the remainder of 2018 and all of 2019. 

He made his Rangers debut on August 21. After three scoreless outing out of the bullpen, Cody entered the Rangers rotation. Sort of.

His first three starts, he was allowed to go three innings. His final two, five innings. Overall, he pitched 22.2 innings, with an ERA of 1.59.

He heads into 2021 almost assured of a spot on the major league roster, and maybe even in the rotation. He earned the opportunity.  But the Rangers are going to be extra cautious with him, and limit his innings.