It's all coming together for No. 3 prospect Corniell, called up for final series

CLEVELAND -- Bruce Bochy remembers watching Jose Corniell pitch during Spring Training in 2024. At the time, the Rangers were entering camp with the intention of defending their World Series title, but the then-21-year-old stood out to him.

“He just seemed mature beyond his years,” Bochy recalls. “As far as pitching, good command, good secondary pitches he could throw for strikes any time. He’s just got a good feel for pitching. You don't see it that good for somebody his age.”

Now 22, Corniell -- the Rangers’ No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline -- joined the Rangers in Cleveland for the final series of the season. He did not pitch in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Guardians but is expected to make his debut in Sunday's season finale.

He was expected to make his MLB debut out of the bullpen on Saturday or Sunday.

It’s just one step toward a hopefully longer stay with the big league club in 2026.

“It’s just about seeing what the big leagues is like, what it's about, being around the guys a little bit,” Bochy said. “Even the ballpark, the upper decks, the bright lights, a lot of fans, all those things. There's an unknown factor before you get called up, so he'll have that taken care of in his short stay here.”

Corniell was originally signed by the Mariners on July 2, 2019, but did not make his professional debut until he was in the Rangers’ organization in 2021. He soon became one of the best pitching prospects in the system.

The right-hander won Texas' Minor League Pitcher of the Year Award in 2023, when he posted a 2.92 ERA in 101 2/3 innings for Single-A Down East and High-A Hickory.

But midway through that 2024 Spring Training where he was first noticed by Bochy, Corniell went down with an elbow injury that ultimately required Tommy John surgery and sidelined him for all of that season and most of ‘25.

“It was extremely hard,” Corniell said through interpreter Raul Cardenas. “Coming from the year that I had before that, when I was doing very well, it was extremely hard for me. But I’m glad it's behind me.”

In 13 Minor League starts between the Rookie-level ACL Rangers (four starts), Double-A Frisco (six starts), and Triple-A Round Rock (three starts) in 2025, Corniell posted a 1.89 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, a .172 opponents' average and 41 strikeouts to nine walks in 38 total innings.

Corniell posted a 0.45 ERA in Double-A Frisco (20 innings) and a 3.65 ERA in Triple-A Round Rock (12 1/3 innings) after his brief rehab in Arizona.

“It was very hard for me,” Corniell reiterated about his rehab. “A lot of things came into play, and I had to really work extra hard. I had to. It really helped me mentally. I learned how to be mentally strong, to come back to do what I needed to do. I think in the long run, it helps me to be able to mentally prepare for what I'm about to do.”

In short, when healthy Corniell has looked like the best pitcher in the Rangers’ system. His cup of coffee in the big leagues this season will only serve him going forward in his career.

After all, a debut is a good way to cap off his long journey through rehab.

“It's a dream come true for me,” Corniell said. “It’s all those years and all that hard work that I’ve put in since he was a kid. I’m very thankful. … God’s put me in this position and I’m just trying to prepare the best way we possibly can. Hopefully the outcomes are what I’m looking for."