Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Splitter: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45

Pence blew out his elbow pitching summer ball shortly before he enrolled at North Carolina, leading to Tommy John surgery and a redshirt year before he became one of the best relievers in college ball in 2023-24. Signed for an over-slot $350,000 as an 11th-rounder in 2024, he exceeded expectations during his pro debut last season. He logged a 2.73 ERA, .193 opponent average and 32 percent strikeout rate between two Class A levels while improving his secondary pitches.

The key to Pence's success going forward will be if a fastball that parks at 91-93 mph and maxes out at 95 can continue to play as a solid pitch thanks to tremendous carry and fine command. He threw his heater three-quarters of the time while in college, and the Rangers had him dial back its usage so he could develop his sweeping slider and splitter/changeup. Both sit in the low 80s and missed more bats with more action last year than they had in the past.

Pence uses his athleticism to get down the mound well, creating extension and a low release height. He repeats his delivery well and provides consistent strikes without catching too much of the plate. If he can continue to fool hitters with his fastball, he could be more than a back-of-the-rotation starter.

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

Pence blew out his elbow in the summer before he enrolled at North Carolina, resulting in Tommy John surgery and a redshirt 2022 season. He earned Coastal Plains League pitcher of the year honors when he returned to the mound that summer and became one of the most dependable relievers in college baseball in 2023-24. Signed for an over-slot $350,000 as an 11th-rounder last year, he earned a promotion to High-A less than three months into his 2025 pro debut.

While Pence operates at 91-93 mph and tops out at 95, his fastball has tremendous carry, and opponents have difficulty seeing it and hitting it with authority. He threw his heater three-quarters of the time with the Tar Heels, and the Rangers have had him dial back on its usage so he can work on his secondary pitches. He's making progress with a sweeping slider in the low 80s and showing some promise with a changeup with similar velocity and some sink.

Because Pence can't just overmatch hitters with pure stuff, he'll have to prove at each level that he should remain in the rotation. He's off to a good start as a pro and has been consistent with his three-quarters delivery, enabling him to throw more strikes than he did in college. If he winds up in the bullpen, he has the mound presence to handle high-leverage situations.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/05/2026	LHP Dalton Pence assigned to Texas Rangers Prospects.
	01/29/2026	Texas Rangers invited non-roster LHP Dalton Pence to spring training.
	06/24/2025	LHP Dalton Pence assigned to Hub City Spartanburgers from Hickory Crawdads.
	06/20/2025	Hickory Crawdads placed LHP Dalton Pence on the temporarily inactive list.
	04/03/2025	LHP Dalton Pence assigned to Hickory Crawdads.
	03/24/2025	ACL Rangers activated LHP Dalton Pence.
	03/24/2025	ACL Rangers activated LHP Dalton Pence.
	01/01/2025	LHP Dalton Pence assigned to ACL Rangers.
	07/29/2024	Texas Rangers signed LHP Dalton Pence.
	07/29/2024	LHP Dalton Pence roster status changed by Texas Rangers.
	03/24/2024	LHP Dalton Pence assigned to North Carolina Tar Heels.
	06/09/2023	Bourne Braves activated LHP Dalton Pence.
	05/26/2023	College Workout activated LHP Dalton Pence.
	05/24/2023	College Workout activated LHP Dalton Pence.
	03/27/2023	LHP Dalton Pence assigned to North Carolina Tar Heels.
	03/25/2022	LHP Dalton Pence, , and assigned to North Carolina Tar Heels.