Schafer Signs with Angels, Becomes 10th Former Range Riders Player to Ink Affiliated Deal

KALISPELL, Mont. — The Los Angeles Angels have signed second-year pitcher Luke Schafer, making him the 10th player in franchise history to sign a deal with an MLB organization directly out of the Glacier Range Riders system.

 

After a rookie campaign with the Boise Hawks in 2024, Schafer signed with the Range Riders for the summer of 2025 and quickly established himself as a proven winner. As part of a stellar rotation that included Ty Bothwell (who was recently signed by the Washington Nationals), the right-hander started 18 games, posted a 4.17 ERA over 107.2 innings, and recorded 108 strikeouts. Schafer also delivered the second nine-inning complete game in franchise history and tied the single-season wins record with nine victories, matching the mark set by Noah Barros in 2023.

 

Schafer certainly made a splash on many scouts' radars after a masterful six innings of shutout baseball against the Oakland Ballers on July 18, 2025. He didn't surrender a run and struck out the eventual league champions nine times while allowing just one walk and six hits in a 3-2 Range Riders victory. That performance earned him Pioneer League Pitcher of the Week honors.

Luke Schafer poses with his Pitcher of the Week plaque at Glacier Bank Park May 7, 2026.

"Luke is a tremendous part of what we've built here, and this opportunity with the Angels organization is incredibly well deserved," said Range Riders Manager Todd Pratt. "He's the type of player and person you love having in your clubhouse, and we're excited to see him take this next step in affiliated baseball."

 

Originally from Leawood, Kansas, Schafer committed to Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, where he played for three seasons before transferring to Indiana University Southeast. He played his final two seasons of collegiate ball with the Grenadiers, including a run to the NAIA World Series in 2024. After his year with the Hawks, he reunited with his former pitching coach at IU Southeast, Glendon Rusch, and had a career year in 2025.

 

"I'm incredibly grateful to the Glacier Range Riders organization, my teammates, coaches, and the fans for everything they've done for me during my time here," said Schafer. "This is a dream opportunity, and I'm excited for the challenge of taking the next step with the Angels while continuing to represent the Range Riders and the people who helped me get here."

Schafer's signing is a major milestone for the Glacier Range Riders, alongside the two MLB debuts made last year by former Range Riders Logan VanWey and Jonathan Pintaro. The Range Riders continue to set the standard for fostering premier baseball talent right here in the Flathead Valley.