| 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 |
| Season | Tm | LG | L | W | L | ERA | G | GS | SV | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| ACL Rangers | ACL | ROK | 2 | 1 | 3.09 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 11.2 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 18 | 1.20 | |
| 2 Teams | AAA | 2 | 3 | 7.15 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 34.0 | 44 | 29 | 27 | 5 | 14 | 36 | 1.71 | ||
| Frisco RoughRiders | TEX | AA | 6 | 4 | 2.62 | 17 | 17 | 0 | 75.2 | 43 | 24 | 22 | 8 | 33 | 90 | 1.00 | |
| Hickory Crawdads | CAR | A+ | 5 | 3 | 2.53 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 42.2 | 32 | 13 | 12 | 4 | 11 | 57 | 1.01 | |
| Down East Bird Dawgs | FRN | A | 2 | 5 | 4.27 | 20 | 8 | 0 | 78.0 | 79 | 44 | 37 | 6 | 26 | 108 | 1.35 | |
| Career Minors | 6 Teams | 17 | 16 | 3.79 | 57 | 42 | 0 | 242.0 | 209 | 115 | 102 | 23 | 87 | 309 | 1.22 |
Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45
A transfer from Arkansas Tech, Drake took Walters State (Tenn.) CC to the Junior College World Series twice and won JUCO Pitcher of the Year honors there in 2022. The Rangers took him in the 11th round that year, and after some bumps in his first full season, he enjoyed a breakout 2024 with a 2.29 ERA and 148 strikeouts in 106 innings across three levels. He returned to the upper Minors with success in 2025 and was traded to the D-backs at the Deadline in a move for Merrill Kelly. Drake made four starts for Triple-A Reno before suffering a left shoulder capsule sprain that capped his season innings total at 89 1/3.
The 6-foot-5 southpaw added strength and improved his conditioning in pro ball to raise the velo on his fastball to 91-94 mph, touching 96. He can flash good ride on the pitch, but the general movement doesn’t pop in data. Drake reeled in his Triple-A fastball usage after the trade and upped the percentage on his curveball, a low-80s offering with nice downer action. It’s a better whiff generator anyway, and it might have made the heater a tad more effective since batters couldn’t sit on it. A sharper 81-83 mph slider is tight but less successful, while his mid-80s changeup has his most horizontal movement with 12-15 inches of armside run.
Added to the 40-man roster in November, Drake raises his hands over his head in his windup and stays in rhythm to maintain command. He walked batters at a higher clip in 2025 than in previous years, but there should still be average control in his future. The D-backs hope to fine-tune his mix, including working on the slider, to help Drake push for a back-end rotation spot in ’26.
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.
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.
| Week | Team |
|---|---|
| 05/11/2025 |
|
| Team | Date | Transaction |
|---|---|---|
|
03/08/2026 | Arizona Diamondbacks optioned LHP Kohl Drake to Reno Aces. |
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03/05/2026 | LHP Kohl Drake assigned to Arizona D-backs Prospects. |
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11/18/2025 | Arizona Diamondbacks selected the contract of LHP Kohl Drake from Reno Aces. |
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09/23/2025 | Reno Aces activated LHP Kohl Drake from the 7-day injured list. |
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08/26/2025 | Reno Aces placed LHP Kohl Drake on the 7-day injured list. |
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08/26/2025 | Reno Aces placed LHP Kohl Drake on the 7-day injured list. |
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08/21/2025 | Reno Aces transferred LHP Kohl Drake to the Development List. |
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08/21/2025 | Reno Aces placed LHP Kohl Drake on the 7-day injured list. |
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07/31/2025 | Arizona Diamondbacks traded RHP Merrill Kelly to Texas Rangers for LHP Kohl Drake, LHP Mitch Bratt and RHP David Hagaman. |
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07/31/2025 | Reno Aces activated LHP Kohl Drake. |
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07/31/2025 | LHP Kohl Drake assigned to Reno Aces. |
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07/04/2025 | LHP Kohl Drake assigned to Frisco RoughRiders from Round Rock Express. |
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07/03/2025 | Round Rock Express activated LHP Kohl Drake. |
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07/03/2025 | LHP Kohl Drake assigned to Round Rock Express. |
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07/03/2025 | LHP Kohl Drake roster status changed by Round Rock Express. |
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07/03/2025 | Round Rock Express activated LHP Kohl Drake. |
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07/01/2025 | LHP Kohl Drake assigned to Round Rock Express from Frisco RoughRiders. |
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07/01/2025 | Round Rock Express activated LHP Kohl Drake. |
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02/17/2025 | LHP Kohl Drake changed number to 40. |
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01/27/2025 | Texas Rangers invited non-roster LHP Kohl Drake to spring training. |
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08/20/2024 | LHP Kohl Drake assigned to Frisco RoughRiders from Hickory Crawdads. |
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06/25/2024 | LHP Kohl Drake assigned to Hickory Crawdads from Down East Wood Ducks. |
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04/19/2024 | LHP Kohl Drake assigned to Down East Wood Ducks from Frisco RoughRiders. |
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04/19/2024 | Down East Wood Ducks activated LHP Kohl Drake. |
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04/18/2024 | LHP Kohl Drake assigned to Frisco RoughRiders from Down East Wood Ducks. |
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09/19/2023 | Down East Wood Ducks activated LHP Kohl Drake. |
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09/12/2023 | Down East Wood Ducks transferred LHP Kohl Drake to the Development List. |
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07/04/2023 | LHP Kohl Drake assigned to Down East Wood Ducks from ACL Rangers. |
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07/04/2023 | Down East Wood Ducks activated LHP Kohl Drake. |
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12/01/2022 | LHP Kohl Drake assigned to ACL Rangers. |
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07/26/2022 | Texas Rangers signed LHP Kohl Drake. |
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03/24/2022 | LHP Kohl Drake assigned to Mahoning Valley Scrappers. |
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03/24/2022 | Mahoning Valley Scrappers activated LHP Kohl Drake. |
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01/30/2019 | LHP Kohl Drake assigned to Arkansas Tech Wonderboys. |
