Want to buy a piece of a future Texas Rangers’ earnings? A new company allows fans that opportunity.

MLB superfans Rob Connolly and Max Eisenberg are looking to revolutionize how fans invest in their favorite sports and players.

Introducing Finlete, a company that allows fans to invest in the potential of an elite prospect and earn a share of their future earnings. Their first athlete is Echedry Vargas, the 16th-ranked prospect in the Texas Rangers organization.

Vargas is a 19-year-old infielder from the Dominican Republic who signed an international contract with the Rangers for $10,000 in 2022.

Vargas is Finlete’s first athlete, though the company has said they are in talks with athletes from other sports to join. Connolly explained why Vargas was a great fit for them aside from his baseball upside.

“We were just blown away by his determination, how bad he wants to be a professional baseball player, be a great baseball player.,” said Connolly, “This guy needs us, this guy doesn’t wanna buy a Ferrari or buy something crazy. He just wants to play baseball year-round and practice year-round and have better coaching and nutritionists. “

According to their website, Finlete’s investors have bought more than $25,000 worth of shares and stand to earn up to 9% of Vargas’ future MLB earnings. Their parent company also has major venture-capital investments from big brands such as Comcast which owns a minority stake, North Texas Angel Network and Texas-based company Draper Startup House.

Connolly explained how Finlete could revolutionize the fan experience.

“We could do so much better for the fans because why pay $500 for a baseball card when you could actually own a stake in an athlete’s potential future earnings?” said Connolly.

Finlete has held meet-and-greets with shareholders and hopes to take trips to see Vargas play as he advances through the minor leagues and is also planning more events with the Dominican native.

Connolly and Eisenberg operate out of California. This is not their first foray into the sports business as the pair had previously started Meetlete which connected athletes with fans directly similar to Cameo but found it hard to get athletes to consistently appear for calls causing them to pivot.

The pair were inspired to start Finlete by Fernando Tatis Jr’s partnership with private hedge fund Big League Advantage, which earned a portion of Tatis’ $340 million contract after their initial investment.

BLA, which has signed hundreds of minor league prospects including current Texas Ranger Ezequiel Durán, has been criticized by some including MLB agent Scott Boras who said they were taking advantage of desperate minor leaguers.

When asked how they would respond to similar claims Finlete’s founders focused on the riskiness of their venture pointing out the athletes only owe if they make it to the majors and that Vargas and other future Finlete athletes were not receiving loans

“We don’t force the athlete to do anything. We don’t look at their financial situation and make our offering based off of that. We make our offering based off of.... what their projections look like and if they need our help,” said Connolly

“There’s very little downside for the athlete here. I mean, the only downside for the athlete is that Fernando Tatis Jr has to give up $30 million bucks, but the guy’s making $340 million. So, is he really that bummed about it,” said Eisenberg. “We’re taking a lot of risk for sure.”

They also stated that they always suggest players talk over any deals with their families, agents, and managers.

This season Vargas is hitting .220 with one home run, five RBIs and three stolen bases for the Single-A Down East Wood Ducks. Vargas is expected to make the Majors around the 2027 season according to MLB projections.