Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said Tuesday the Rangers were “highly” interested in selecting right-handed pitcher Leauel in the first round of the draft.
The Rangers had the No. 3 pick and had the right to trade it to any team, but did not do so.
Daniels said the Rangers had been in contact with several teams, including the Chicago White Sox, who he said were the team that would be interested in the 6-foot-4, 210-pound Leaude.
Daniels also said the Indians had been “talking to teams” about the righty prospect.
Daniels and general manager Jeff Luhnow met with Leaurence Kudacksi, who has not pitched in the majors since 2010.
Kudarkis pitching coach, Rich Brooks, and assistant pitching coach Mark D’Arcy, a former Major League pitcher, also attended the draft in Phoenix, Arizona.
Leaune, who is from the Dominican Republic, has a 4.13 ERA in his first two minor league seasons.
Leal, 22, has pitched in four big league games, posting a 3.55 ERA with five saves and seven strikeouts.
