TRACK RECORD: Born in the Bahamas, Bannister moved to Maryland from 2015-17 and played high school baseball there. In 2017, he moved to the Dominican Republic to train, then moved back to the Bahamas before signing with the Rangers for $836,000 as a 17-year-old on July 2, 2019.
SCOUTING REPORT: Bannister is an impressive, physical athlete with power/speed potential at a premium position. He played shortstop as an amateur but has spent most of his time in center field since signing and fits best there. He's a plus runner who moves around well in the outfield with fluid actions and the potential for good range, though he's still learning to take better reads and routes. Before signing, Bannister hit from both sides of the plate, but he's now batting righthanded only. It's a power-over-hit profile, with the bat speed, strength projection and leverage in his swing to develop plus raw power in the future. He has an efficient swing and stays through the ball well, but his power will probably come with strikeouts, as he needs to improve his timing to make more frequent contact.
THE FUTURE: Bannister's upside is exciting, but he's still a project. He's not advanced enough for a fullseason assignment yet, so he's likely staying back in extended spring training to start 2020.
Scouting Reports
TRACK RECORD: Born in the Bahamas, Bannister moved to Maryland from 2015-17 and played high school baseball there. In 2017, he moved to the Dominican Republic to train, then moved back to the Bahamas before signing with the Rangers for $836,000 as a 17-year-old on July 2, 2019.
SCOUTING REPORT: Bannister is an impressive, physical athlete with power/speed potential at a premium position. He played shortstop as an amateur but has spent most of his time in center field since signing and fits best there. He’s a plus runner who moves around well in the outfield with fluid actions and the potential for good range, though he’s still learning to take better reads and routes. Before signing, Bannister hit from both sides of the plate, but he’s now batting righthanded only. It’s a power-over-hit profile, with the bat speed, strength projection and leverage in his swing to develop plus raw power in the future. He has an efficient swing and stays through the ball well, but his power will probably come with strikeouts, as he needs to improve his timing to make more frequent contact.
THE FUTURE: Bannister’s upside is exciting, but he’s still a project. He’s not advanced enough for a fullseason assignment yet, so he’s likely staying back in extended spring training to start 2020.
TRACK RECORD: Born in the Bahamas, Bannister moved to Maryland from 2015-17 and played high school baseball there. In 2017, he moved to the Dominican Republic to train, then moved back to the Bahamas before signing with the Rangers for $836,000 as a 17-year-old on July 2, 2019.
SCOUTING REPORT: Bannister is an impressive, physical athlete with power/speed potential at a premium position. He played shortstop as an amateur but has spent most of his time in center field since signing and fits best there. He's a plus runner who moves around well in the outfield with fluid actions and the potential for good range, though he's still learning to take better reads and routes. Before signing, Bannister hit from both sides of the plate, but he's now batting righthanded only. It's a power-over-hit profile, with the bat speed, strength projection and leverage in his swing to develop plus raw power in the future. He has an efficient swing and stays through the ball well, but his power will probably come with strikeouts, as he needs to improve his timing to make more frequent contact.
THE FUTURE: Bannister's upside is exciting, but he's still a project. He's not advanced enough for a fullseason assignment yet, so he's likely staying back in extended spring training to start 2020.
Career Transactions
Frisco RoughRiders released CF Zion Bannister.
Melbourne Aces activated CF Zion Bannister from the reserve list.
CF Zion Bannister assigned to Melbourne Aces.
Frisco RoughRiders activated CF Zion Bannister.
CF Zion Bannister assigned to Frisco RoughRiders from Round Rock Express.
CF Zion Bannister assigned to Round Rock Express from Frisco RoughRiders.
Round Rock Express activated CF Zion Bannister.
CF Zion Bannister assigned to Frisco RoughRiders from Hickory Crawdads.
Hickory Crawdads transferred CF Zion Bannister to the Development List.
CF Zion Bannister assigned to Hickory Crawdads from Down East Wood Ducks.
CF Zion Bannister assigned to Hickory Crawdads from Down East Wood Ducks.
CF Zion Bannister assigned to Down East Wood Ducks from ACL Rangers.
CF Zion Bannister assigned to Down East Wood Ducks from ACL Rangers.
CF Zion Bannister assigned to ACL Rangers from Hickory Crawdads.
CF Zion Bannister roster status changed by Texas Rangers.
CF Zion Bannister assigned to Texas Rangers.
CF Zion Bannister assigned to Hickory Crawdads from Down East Wood Ducks.
Hickory Crawdads activated CF Zion Bannister.
CF Zion Bannister assigned to Down East Wood Ducks from ACL Rangers.
Down East Wood Ducks activated CF Zion Bannister.
CF Zion Bannister and assigned to Texas Rangers.
OF Zion Bannister assigned to Texas Rangers Futures.
OF Zion Bannister assigned to Texas Rangers Futures.
OF Zion Bannster assigned to AZL Rangers from DSL Rangers2.
OF Zion Bannster assigned to DSL Rangers2.
Texas Rangers signed free agent OF Zion Bannister to a minor league contract.
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