Hearn Dealt to Texas Rangers

SHAWNEE – The Texas Rangers Monday night acquired former Oklahoma Baptist pitcher Taylor Hearn in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
 
The Rangers picked up Hearn and a player to be named later in exchange for closer Keone Kela. It is the second time Hearn has been dealt for a major league closer. He joined the Pirates organization in a trade deadline deal in 2016 when Pittsburgh traded Mark Melancon to the Washington Nationals.
 
Hearn, who started the Eastern League All-Star game earlier this month, is 3-6 with a 3.12 earned run average and 107 strikeouts in 104 innings pitched. Opponents are hitting .198 against the 6-5 lefty while pitching the entirety of the 2018 season, to this point, with the AA Altoona Curve.
 
Hearn has not yet been assigned by Texas. They have a double-A team in Frisco, Texas and a AAA squad in Round Rock, Texas. Hearn is a native of Royse City, Texas.
 
Originally drafted in the fifth round by the Washington Nationals, the 23-year-old Hearn has a career record of 10-18 with a 3.35 earned run average and 336 strikeouts in 293 minor league innings.