The Texas Rangers selected Church in the 18th round, with the 535th overall selection, of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft.[3] Church signed with Texas for an over-slot $300,000 signing bonus.[4]
After signing, Church did not appear in an official game with a Rangers' affiliate in the 2019 season. Instead, he took part in a new program put in place by Texas for their newly drafted high school pitchers. The "de-load" program as the organization called it, emphasized building a foundation mentally and physically while resting the pitchers' bodies from a strenuous senior season and pre-draft showcase circuit. The players were put through a strength program and classroom work until the post-season fall instructional training started.[5] He did not play in a game 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]
Church made his professional debut and spent the 2021 season with the Down East Wood Ducks of the Low-A East, going 3–1 with a 4.28 ERA and 49 strikeouts over 27+1⁄3 innings.[7] He missed the second half of that season with elbow inflammation that did not require surgery.[7] Church opened the 2022 season with the Hickory Crawdads of the High-ASouth Atlantic League, going 2–2 with a 2.91 ERA and 57 strikeouts over 34 innings.[8][9][10] He was promoted to the Frisco RoughRiders of the Double-ATexas League on June 29, and struggled to a 1–3 record with a 7.20 ERA and 21 strikeouts over 15 innings.[11]
The Rangers invited Church to major league spring training as a non-roster player in 2023.[12] Church returned to Frisco to open the 2023 season. He was promoted to the Round Rock Express of the Triple-APacific Coast League on May 23, after posting a 4.00 ERA with 31 strikeouts over 18 innings for Frisco.[13] Over 44 innings for Round Rock, Church posted a 7–1 record with a 3.48 ERA and 48 strikeouts. On November 14, 2023, Texas added Church to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[14]
Church was optioned to Triple–A Round Rock to begin the 2024 season.[15] Church missed nearly 4 months of the season on the injured list with a right shoulder strain.[16] In 17 games for the Express, he compiled a 3.22 ERA with 24 strikeouts across 22+1⁄3 innings pitched. On September 27, 2024, Church was promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[17]
Church was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock to begin the 2026 season.[18] After struggling to a 7.71 ERA across five appearances, Church was designated for assignment by the Rangers on April 15, 2026.[19]
