P | Arizona Diamondbacks
Bats/Throws: L/L | 6' 5" 220 lbs | Age: 25
Draft: 2022 | Rd. 11, No. 319, Texas Rangers | Walters State CC
MLB Pipeline Rank
W L ERA G GS SV IP SO WHIP
2025 2 3 7.15 8 7 0 34 36 1.71
Career Minors 17 16 3.79 57 42 0 242 309 1.22
G W-L ERA IP SO WHIP
2025 8 2-3 7.15 34 36 1.71
Career Minors 57 17-16 3.79 242 309 1.22

Standard Minor League Pitching Statistics

SeasonTmLGLWLERAGGSSVIPHRERHRBBSOWHIP
2023 2 Teams Minors 2 5 6.36 14 4 0 46.2 58 39 33 4 20 55 1.67
2023 ACL Rangers ACL ROK 2 1 3.09 4 2 0 11.2 11 5 4 0 3 18 1.20
2023 Down East Wood Ducks CAR A 0 4 7.46 10 2 0 35.0 47 34 29 4 17 37 1.83
2024 3 Teams Minors 9 5 2.29 23 19 0 106.0 75 30 27 9 31 148 1.00
2024 Down East Wood Ducks CAR A 2 1 1.67 10 6 0 43.0 32 10 8 2 9 71 0.95
2024 Hickory Crawdads SAL A+ 5 3 2.53 8 8 0 42.2 32 13 12 4 11 57 1.01
2024 Frisco RoughRiders TEX AA 2 1 3.10 5 5 0 20.1 11 7 7 3 11 20 1.08
2025 3 Teams Minors 6 6 4.23 20 19 0 89.1 76 46 42 10 36 106 1.25
2025 Frisco RoughRiders TEX AA 4 3 2.44 12 12 0 55.1 32 17 15 5 22 70 0.98
2025 Round Rock Express PCL AAA 1 1 5.19 4 3 0 17.1 20 11 10 2 6 17 1.50
2025 Reno Aces PCL AAA 1 2 9.18 4 4 0 16.2 24 18 17 3 8 19 1.92
2025 2 Teams AAA 2 3 7.15 8 7 0 34.0 44 29 27 5 14 36 1.71

Scouting Report

2025

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55 | Overall: 50

Drake started his college career at Arkansas Tech before pitching Walters State (Tenn.) CC to the Junior College World Series in 2021 and 2022. Named national juco pitcher of the year in '22 after leading that level in victories (14) and strikeouts (160 in 93 1/3 innings), he joined the Rangers as an 11th-rounder. After getting tattooed for a 6.36 ERA in his 2023 pro debut, he established himself as the system's best lefty last year while posting a 2.29 ERA, .196 average-against and 148/31 K/BB ratio while advancing from Single-A to Double-A. He was enjoying another strong year in the upper Minors in 2025 when the Rangers dealt him to the D-backs at the Deadline in the trade for Merrill Kelly.

Drake dedicated himself to bettering his strength and conditioning after the 2023 season, dropped 25 pounds off his 6-foot-5 frame and began moving more explosively down the mound. He went from operating with an 88-90 mph fastball at Walters State to dealing at 92-94 and reaching 96 with carry. He also showed better feel for spin, with his low-80s curveball missing plenty of bats and his slightly harder slider flashing as a solid offering as well. His low-80s changeup with fade and sink works well in concert with the shape of his heater.

Though Drake had a track record of providing strikes, improved core strength, balance and athleticism helped him upgrade his control even more. His combination of size and a short arm action provides some deception, as does his flat approach angle. If he can continue to get more advanced hitters to chase his curveball and changeup, he could make it as a No. 4 starter.


2024

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55 | Overall: 40

After beginning his college career at Arkansas Tech, Drake pitched Walters State (Tenn.) CC to consecutive Junior College World Series in 2021 and '22. He won National JUCO Pitcher of the Year honors after leading that level in wins (14) and strikeouts (160 in 93 1/3 innings) in 2022 before the Rangers drafted him in the 11th round. Already 22 when he turned pro, he looked like no more than an organizational depth piece while getting shelled in his debut last year, but he has developed into one of the system's best lefties this summer.

Drake dedicated himself to strength and conditioning this offseason, shaved 25 pounds off his 6-foot-5 frame and is moving more explosively down the mound. He has going from working at 88-90 mph with his fastball at Walters State to operating at 92-94 and touching 96 with wide angle, flat approach angle and carry. It pairs well with a solid low-80s changeup that he can fade and sink.

Drake has also improved his feel for spin, and both his low-80s curveball and tighter mid-80s slider show the potential to become solid offerings as well. He never has had difficulty throwing strikes, and improving his core strength and balance has helped him upgrade his control. He'll need to prove himself at higher levels but suddenly has the upside of a mid-rotation starter.



Awards




Transactions

Team Date Transaction
11/18/2025 Arizona Diamondbacks selected the contract of LHP Kohl Drake from Reno Aces.
09/23/2025 Reno Aces activated LHP Kohl Drake from the 7-day injured list.
08/26/2025 Reno Aces placed LHP Kohl Drake on the 7-day injured list.
08/26/2025 Reno Aces placed LHP Kohl Drake on the 7-day injured list.
08/21/2025 Reno Aces transferred LHP Kohl Drake to the Development List.
08/21/2025 Reno Aces placed LHP Kohl Drake on the 7-day injured list.
07/31/2025 Arizona Diamondbacks traded RHP Merrill Kelly to Texas Rangers for LHP Kohl Drake, LHP Mitch Bratt and RHP David Hagaman.
07/31/2025 Reno Aces activated LHP Kohl Drake.
07/31/2025 LHP Kohl Drake assigned to Reno Aces.
07/04/2025 LHP Kohl Drake assigned to Frisco RoughRiders from Round Rock Express.
07/03/2025 LHP Kohl Drake roster status changed by Round Rock Express.
07/03/2025 LHP Kohl Drake assigned to Round Rock Express.
07/03/2025 Round Rock Express activated LHP Kohl Drake.
07/03/2025 Round Rock Express activated LHP Kohl Drake.
07/01/2025 LHP Kohl Drake assigned to Round Rock Express from Frisco RoughRiders.
07/01/2025 Round Rock Express activated LHP Kohl Drake.
02/17/2025 LHP Kohl Drake changed number to 40.
01/27/2025 Texas Rangers invited non-roster LHP Kohl Drake to spring training.
08/20/2024 LHP Kohl Drake assigned to Frisco RoughRiders from Hickory Crawdads.
06/25/2024 LHP Kohl Drake assigned to Hickory Crawdads from Down East Wood Ducks.
04/19/2024 LHP Kohl Drake assigned to Down East Wood Ducks from Frisco RoughRiders.
04/19/2024 Down East Wood Ducks activated LHP Kohl Drake.
04/18/2024 LHP Kohl Drake assigned to Frisco RoughRiders from Down East Wood Ducks.
09/19/2023 Down East Wood Ducks activated LHP Kohl Drake.
09/12/2023 Down East Wood Ducks transferred LHP Kohl Drake to the Development List.
07/04/2023 LHP Kohl Drake assigned to Down East Wood Ducks from ACL Rangers.
07/04/2023 Down East Wood Ducks activated LHP Kohl Drake.
12/01/2022 LHP Kohl Drake assigned to ACL Rangers.
07/26/2022 Texas Rangers signed LHP Kohl Drake.
03/24/2022 LHP Kohl Drake assigned to Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
03/24/2022 Mahoning Valley Scrappers activated LHP Kohl Drake.
01/30/2019 LHP Kohl Drake assigned to Arkansas Tech Wonderboys.