Staff report
Brandon Crabtree enjoyed a sensational 2026 season as the first baseman for the Catawba Indians, but it may be his only season at Newman Park.
Crabtree was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 16th round on Sunday. He was the 477th overall pick.
There are no “slot” values for 16th-rounders, so what the Rangers might offer him is not known. He does have some bargaining power, as he still has a year of college eligibility left with Catawba, but he also is 22 and, realistically, this will be his best chance to make a pro impact.
Crabtree is a native of Pittsboro, N.C. He was a high school superstar at Sanford’s Grace Christian School. Coming out of high school in 2023, he was rated as one of the state’s best prospects. As a senior, he hit .613 with 13 home runs and 53 RBIs.
Crabtree headed to NC State after leading Grace Christian to a 63-9 record during his time there, but injuries kept him out of action in the Wolfpack’s fall workouts, and he slid down the depth chart. He never played for the Wolfpack.
He transferred to Gaston College and was a dominant player for the Rhinos in 2024 and 2025 at the junior college level, combining power with tremendous batting averages.
Crabtree joined coach Jim Gantt and the Catawba Indians for the 2026 season. His bat proved as special as advertised – he was the best offensive player in a strong lineup – and his glove work at first base was better than anyone anticipated. He was a huge part of a team that was a national semifinalist in Division 2.
Crabtree, a left-handed hitter and right-handed thrower, was named a first team All-America and SAC Player of the Year after finishing the season with a .413 batting average with 102 hits, 24 doubles, 18 homers and 73 RBIs.
The Rangers announced they were drafting Crabtree as a third baseman. While that isn’t his primary position, he does have some experience at the hot corner.
The 6-foot-1 Crabtree is the first Catawba Indian drafted since 2019. He’s the 18th to be drafted during Gantt’s head-coaching tenure.
Other Catawba draft picks were Thomas Wilson, Peyton Williams, Joe Watson, David Thomas, Tim Smith, Jerry Sands, Wade Moore, Paul Kronenfeld, Nick Lomascolo, Craig Brooks, Craige Lyerly, Jordan Jankowski, Chris Dula, Bryan Blanton, Zac Almond, Will Albertson and Chris Ahearn. Several more players weren’t drafted, but signed and played pro ball.
