The Texas Rangers haven’t made the kind of splashy, headline-grabbing moves we’ve seen from some other clubs this offseason, but that doesn’t mean they’ve been sitting idle. In fact, they’ve quietly pieced together a string of low-risk, potentially high-reward signings-moves that may not dominate the news cycle now, but could pay dividends once the games start counting.
Their latest addition fits that mold perfectly.
Texas has agreed to a minor league deal with right-handed reliever Josh Hekja, a 28-year-old submariner who’s spent time in the Mets and Phillies organizations. The deal includes an invite to big league camp, giving Hekja a shot to compete for a bullpen role this spring.
Now, Hekja isn’t a household name, and he hasn’t yet made his MLB debut. But he brings something that’s become increasingly rare in today’s game: a true submarine delivery.
That funky, low-slot arm angle can be a nightmare for hitters, especially in short bursts out of the bullpen. It’s a style that disrupts timing and creates awkward at-bats-exactly the kind of look that can be valuable in a modern relief corps built on contrast and matchup advantages.
Over five seasons in the minors, Hekja has logged 153 appearances with a 4.06 ERA, an 11-8 record, and 199 strikeouts across 221.2 innings. Those aren’t eye-popping numbers, but they show a pitcher who’s been serviceable and occasionally effective. He’s walked 68 in that span, which suggests there’s still some command refinement needed, but the strikeout totals are respectable for a pitcher with his profile.
That said, 2023 wasn’t kind to him. Splitting time between High-A and Double-A in the Phillies system, Hekja struggled to find consistency.
His overall ERA ballooned to 6.28 across 27 appearances. But here’s where it gets interesting: he actually performed significantly better at the higher level.
In six games at Double-A, he posted a 3.52 ERA-compared to a rough 7.29 mark in 21 appearances at High-A.
That kind of discrepancy raises some eyebrows. It’s not often you see a pitcher fare better against more advanced competition, but it could indicate that Hekja’s unique delivery plays up against more experienced hitters who aren’t used to seeing that kind of arm slot.
Or it could just be small-sample noise. Either way, it’s enough to intrigue a team like Texas, which is looking to build bullpen depth without breaking the bank.
From the Rangers’ perspective, this is a classic low-risk move. If Hekja clicks in camp or finds his groove in Triple-A, he could become a situational weapon out of the bullpen-especially against right-handed hitters.
If not, it’s a minor league deal with no long-term commitment. But in a league where bullpen roles are constantly evolving and matchups matter more than ever, having a different look like Hekja’s in the system is a smart play.
Don’t expect him to anchor the bullpen or close out games at Globe Life Field anytime soon. But in a season that’s bound to test the depth of every roster, a guy like Hekja-quirky delivery and all-might just carve out a role when the opportunity knocks.
