The Texas Rangers have brought back outfielder Billy McKinney on a minor league deal, according to a report from Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News. McKinney had just become a free agent the previous day after clearing waivers and choosing to test the open market.
The left-handed hitter had a very brief stint on the Rangers’ major league roster last week. He was called up when Evan Carter went on bereavement leave and made two appearances during Carter’s three-day absence. Once Carter returned, McKinney was designated for assignment.
Prior to that short promotion, McKinney had been swinging a hot bat in Triple-A with the Round Rock Express. In 97 plate appearances, he posted an impressive .295/.433/.487 slash line, drawing 17 walks and striking out 22 times. This performance was a significant turnaround from his earlier stint this season with the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate, where he struggled to a .184/.285/.307 line.
McKinney, a former first-round pick and once highly regarded prospect, has played in parts of eight MLB seasons. The Rangers are now the eighth organization he’s suited up for at the big league level. His most extended run came with the Toronto Blue Jays, the only team for which he’s played more than 50 games in a season. Over 951 career MLB plate appearances, McKinney holds a .208/.283/.384 batting line. At the Triple-A level, however, he’s shown more consistency, slashing .268/.358/.487 across more than 1,500 plate appearances.
By re-signing him, the Rangers retain a veteran with both major league experience and recent success in the upper minors — a potential depth option as the season progresses.
