Pedro Payano

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Texas Rangers #29 prospect in 2017
  The Rangers signed Nomar Mazara on July 2, 2011, for $4.95 million out of Ivan Noboa's program. At the same time, Texas landed Payano, who also trained with Noboa, for $650,000. Payano, who was born in New York but grew up in the Dominican Republic, pitched three full seasons in the Dominican Summer League, with the Rangers leaving him there in part due to maturity issues. He was in the midst of his best season in 2016 when a comebacker fractured his right arm on July 7, ending his season. Payano kept low Class A South Atlantic League hitters off balance with one of the best changeups in the league. His fastball grades as below-average and sits 88-91 mph and touches 93, but he gets whiffs because he uses his changeup liberally, to the point some scouts would like to see him pitch more off his fastball. His curveball and slider both grade as below-average. Payano needs to tighten his fastball command, but he is generally a solid strike-thrower. He has a high-slot delivery that helps him stay on top of the baseball, generate downhill plane and keep the ball in the bottom of the strike zone. He should be ready to jump to high Class A in 2017.