The Texas Rangers have added a familiar name back into the organization, signing free-agent right-hander Anthony David Maui La’akea “Bubba” Hoopii-Tuionetoa to a minor league contract, according to MLB.com’s transactions log.
The move brings back a pitcher the club originally drafted in the 30th round of the 2019 draft out of Pierce College. Hoopii-Tuionetoa steadily climbed the Rangers’ system as a reliever and was off to a dominant start with Double-A Frisco in 2024, allowing just one unearned run across 10 appearances. His strong start made him a useful trade piece, and Texas dealt him to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for outfielder Robbie Grossman.
From there, however, his journey took an unusual turn. Though he continued to pitch reasonably well at Double-A for Chicago, his promotion to Triple-A late in the 2024 season proved difficult. Over nine outings, he surrendered 13 runs in 8.2 innings and struggled with command. He later appeared in the 2024 Arizona Fall League, but those would be his final appearances in the White Sox organization.
To begin the 2025 season, Chicago placed Hoopii-Tuionetoa on the temporary inactive list at the end of spring training. Just days later, he was shifted to the restricted list. When complex league games began, he was assigned to the ACL affiliate but never threw a pitch. He was ultimately released in late July. No injury was reported, and no explanation has surfaced publicly regarding his absence from competition throughout 2025.
At the time of his trade, Hoopii-Tuionetoa was viewed as a fringe prospect, and his current form is difficult to gauge after essentially missing a full season. Even so, the Rangers see enough interest to give him another look, likely in the hope that he could emerge as organizational depth. He has been assigned once again to Double-A Frisco, which is expected to be his starting point for the 2026 season.
There is also a fun side note attached to his return. Should Hoopii-Tuionetoa eventually reach the major leagues, he would complete a unique trend: every 30th-round pick the Rangers made in an odd-numbered year during the 2010s would reach MLB. The list includes Phil Klein (2011), Joe Palumbo (2013), Jeffrey Springs (2015), and Ryan Dorow (2017). His promotion would make it a perfect five-for-five.
For now, his comeback begins in familiar territory, and the Rangers will see whether the right-hander can rekindle the promise he once showed.
