Scott Lucas Daily Farm Archive

[jta4437]

Getting Berkman a day in the field ... before he sits for three games in TOR due to turf?

And if McGiniss is in the dugout right now ... wouldn't you rather have had him playing 1b the last inning?

Like I said, I have no idea, didn't make sense to me either, only thing I could think of

 

[Windingmywatch]

Joe Benson over/under ASB callup?

 

[Windingmywatch]

Rangers Farm Report: Games of 6/6

Per multiple sources, first-rounder Travis Demeritte has said he will skip college to sign with the Rangers. No deal is in place yet. For now, he's a shortstop.

As for me, some travel might make my coverage a little erratic over the next week, so please bear with me.

Stars of the Day
AAA: Brad Mills, Yoshinori Tateyama / Engel Beltre, Yangervis Solarte
AA: Kevin Pucetas / Teodoro Martinez
Hi-A: Victor Payano / Rougned Odor, Chris Grayson
Lo-A: Andrew Faulkner / The Offense

AAA: Round Rock 6, at Iowa (CHC) 0
Scoreboard | Round Rock Express Scoreboard
Record: 32-26, -1.0

Mike Olt was hitless with a walk and two strikeouts. He's 8-for-24 with two doubles, two homers, two walks and 11 strikeouts (.333/.385/.667) since returning.

Homering for the second time in June after two dry months was Engel Beltre (.282/.340/.372), who also drew three walks. With eight more free passes, Beltre will surpass his previous high of 28 set in Frisco in 2011. SS Yangervis Solarte also homered for the 8th time, and catcher Robinson Chirinos (.282/.384/.444) was 2-4 with a walk.

Brad Mills (2.87 ERA) limited the Cubs to a hit and two walks in five innings. Yoshinori Tateyama (2.2 IP, 2 SO) and Nate Robertson (1. IP, 2 SO) handled the rest.

AA: Frisco 3, at San Antonio (SDG) 2
Scoreboard | Frisco RoughRiders Scoreboard
Record: 34-25, -2.0

LF Teodoro Martinez doubled, walked and stole his 13th base. 1B Brett Nicholas singled twice, the only Rider with two hits.

SS Hanser Alberto was ejected in the 4th. When Alejandro Selen, who had moved from RF to second base, was removed in the 7th, Frisco abandoned its DH. In the 9th, reliever Ryan Rodebaugh appeared as a pinch hitter and reached on an error.

Kevin Pucetas gave up two runs in six innings. Ben Rowen (0.64 ERA) worked around a hit and walk for his seventh save.

High-A: at Myrtle Beach 5, Potomac (WAS) 5 (suspended)
Scoreboard | Myrtle Beach Pelicans Scoreboard
Record: 30-28, tied for 1st

Rain halted play after Luis Sardinas singled home Edwin Garcia with two out in the 9th to tie the game. A continuation date hasn't been set. The league uses a split-season format, but the teams aren't scheduled to meet again until the second half.

Myrtle Beach's single-heavy attack included two hits and walk from Rougned Odor (.288/.358/.434) and a single and double from CF Chris Grayson (.229/.314/.355). Odor also stole his 15th base. He has a chance to reach last year's 19 by the halfway point. The Pelicans are hitting .194/.257/.263 in June.

Fresh off the DL, Victor Payano (3.86 ERA) held Potomac scoreless for five innings on three hits, three walks and six strikeouts. Jose Monegro (1 IP, 2-run HR) and Jon Edwards (1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 1 SO) couldn't maintain what was a 3-0 lead entering the 6th.

Low-A: at Hickory 15, Lakewood (PHI) 4
Scoreboard | Hickory Crawdads Scoreboard
Record: 33-25, +1.0

Hickory blasted yet another four homers, including two by 2B Ryan Rua, who leads (along with Houston's George Springer) the minor leagues with 17. Rua (.247/.361/.598) also singled, was hit by a pitch and drove in six to raise his RBI total to 50. In 126 lower-level games during 2011-2012, Rua hit 11 homers.

Also homering were youngsters LF Nick Williams (his 10th) and SS Luis Marte (3rd), who added a single and plated five. Williams is batting .302, the only teenager whose contact has matched his power so far. Mired in a lengthy slump, Joey Gallo (.214/.316/.485) singled and doubled. 1B Nick Vickerson singled and drew four walks, and catcher Jorge Alfaro was 3-5 with a double. DH Ronald Guzman singled twice and walked. CF Lewis Brinson walked twice and singled.

Andrew Faulkner (2.84 ERA) surrendered a two-run homer to Philly catcher Justin Dalles and five other hits and a walk in seven innings while striking out eight.

Five Years Ago Yesterday
The Rangers took the modest step of designating Sidney Ponson for assignment because casting him adrift at sea would violate the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Matt Harrison's AAA debut: four runs in 5.1 innings with eight hits, two walks and two strikeouts. Joaquin Arias (.280/.303/.357) homered for the first time since August 2006. In AA, Tommy Hunter permitted only two runs in seven innings with three walks and two strikeouts.

Michael Kirkman was activated at Clinton. June 2008 was the beginning of his slow rehabilitation following two years essentially lost to injury, wildness and lack of confidence.

Today's Starters
AAA: Martin Perez
AA: Nick McBride
Hi-A: Joe Van Meter
Lo-A: Tyler Smith


--
Scott Lucas
Newberg Report (newbergreport.com)
rangers.scottlucas.com
twitter: @scottrlucas

 

[Windingmywatch]

Rangers Farm Report: Games of 6/7

Excuse the brevity. I'm a traveling man on no sleep. I'll recap draft highlights tomorrow or Monday.

Stars of the Day
AAA: Martin Perez / Mike Bianucci
AA: Phil Klein
Hi-A: Joe Van Meter, Paul Schwendel / Jake Skole, Rougned Odor, Kevin Torres, Luis Sardinas
Lo-A: Joe Burns / Joe Maloney, Lewis Brinson, Nick Williams, Ronald Guzman, Nomar Mazara

AAA: Round Rock 3, at Iowa (CHC) 1
Scoreboard | Round Rock Express Scoreboard
Record: 35-26, +1.0

Martin Perez walked four in six innings but yielded only one run and five hits while fanning four. In four AAA starts, he's got a 2.63 ERA with very strong peripherals. Cory Burns earned his 14th save with a 1-2-3 9th.

The Express scored three despite only five hits. DH Mike Bianucci's first homer of the season plated two. He'll see much more playing time with Chris McGuiness away. Engel Beltre and Mike Olt were 0-4.

OF Jared Hoying, who'd been recuperating from a hamstring pull in Frisco, was activated and promoted to Round Rock. He didn't take the field.

AA: Frisco 0, at San Antonio (SDG) 8
Scoreboard | Frisco RoughRiders Scoreboard
Record: 34-26, -3.0

Nick McBride (11.70 ERA) didn't walk anyone and struck out five in four innings, but eight hits led to three runs. Phil Klein (1.77 ERA) struck out three in two scoreless, hitless innings. Wilmer Font (1.50 ERA) fanned two in a perfect 8th, breaking a string of six games with at least one walk. Justin Miller gave up three hits and a walk without retiring a batter.

Teodoro Martinez (.286/.341/.429) singled twice.

High-A: Myrtle Beach 10, at Carolina (CLE) 1
Scoreboard | Myrtle Beach Pelicans Scoreboard
Record: 31-28, tied for 1st

Myrtle Beach's long-dormant offense erupted for 21 baserunners. 19-year-old Rougned Odor fell a homer short of the cycle and walked to improve to .295/.366/.452. Luis Sardinas contributed a single, double and his 17th steal. CF Jake Skole (.196/.299/.266) walked twice and doubled, as did 1B Kevin Torres. Preston Beck (.221/.313/.300) doubled and singled.

Joe Van Meter (2.41 ERA) shut out the Mudcats for five frames on four hits, a walk and five strikeouts. Paul Schwendel followed with four innings of one-hit, one-run ball.

Low-A: Hickory 8, at Greenville (BOS) 17 (completion of game suspended 5/22)
Scoreboard | Hickory Crawdads Scoreboard
Low-A: Hickory 5, at Greenville (BOS) 10
Scoreboard | Hickory Crawdads Scoreboard
Record: 33-27, -0.5

Tyler Smith lost two games last night. In the completion of the long-suspended contest (itself delayed by rain), Cody Kendall immediately surrendered a double that brought home three runners belonging to Smith, who had pitched the first 2.2 innings back in May. Jose Valdespina (2 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 7.04 ERA) was similarly bullied, while Joe Burns maintained decency in the final two innings by fanning three and preventing further damage.

Current Pelican Joe Maloney had a three-run homer before the suspension. Nick Williams doubled a mashed his eighth homer, and CF Lewis Brinson added a solo shot, his 11th.

More rain pushed the regularly scheduled game to 10:18 PM. Ronald Guzman (.294/.368/.647 in five games) hit his second homer. Hickory also belted six doubles including two by Nomar Mazara (.234/.322/.363), who has made slow, steady progress during the season. Joey Gallo singled and doubled.

Smith's ERA ballooned to 6.75 after Greenville pined another seven runs on him in 3.1 innings. Smith allowed six hits and two walks while striking out three. Jose LeClerc (5.40 ERA) also suffered, yielding five runners and three runs in just 1.2 innings.

Hickory DL'ed RHP Connor Sadzeck with a shoulder issue.

Five Years Ago Yesterday
Eric Hurley (5.30 ERA, 1.54 WHIP) gave up two runs in 6.2 innings and struck out seven. His next start would be for the Rangers. Oklahoma lost in the 10th on three walks and a Chris Davis error. Davis's two-run single accounted for all of his squad's runs.

Today's Starters
AAA: Brigham / Lindblom
AA: Carlos Pimentel
Hi-A: Jerad Eickhoff
Lo-A: Luis Parra
--
Scott Lucas
Newberg Report (newbergreport.com)
rangers.scottlucas.com
twitter: @scottrlucas

 

[Windingmywatch]

Texas has purchased the contract of RHP Kyle McClennan and DL'ed Michael Kirkman, who, sad to say, is suffering from a recurrence of skin cancer. The Rangers say a full recovery is expected. Also DL'ed (again) is Alexi Ogando, replaced by Josh Lindblom.

Stars of the Day
MLB: Ross Wolf
AAA: Yoshinori Tateyama, Cory Burns / Engel Beltre, Robinson Chirinos
AA: Carlos Pimentel / Teodoro Martinez
Hi-A: Ryan Harvey / Trever Adams, Joe Maloney
Lo-A: Luis Parra / Nomar Mazara, Lewis Brinson, David Lyon

AAA (1): Round Rock 5, at Iowa (CHC) 8
Scoreboard | Round Rock Express Scoreboard
AAA (2): Round Rock 4, at Iowa (CHC) 5
Scoreboard | Round Rock Express Scoreboard
Record: 33-26, tied for first

Round Rock lost both ends of a rare day-night doubleheader. In the opener, two Ian Stewart homers off Jake Brigham plated four. Brigham (9.39 ERA) gave up one other hit and an additional run, walked four and struck out five in four innings.

A healthy Josh Lindblom was scratched from his Game 2 start. Lisalverto Bonilla (6.17 ERA) was touched for five runs on eight hits and a walk in 3.1 innings. The mercurial righty had performed admirably in his other spot start and really impressed in a three-inning stint a few days ago. Yoshi Tateyama fanned four in 2.1 scoreless, and Cory Burns permitted no hits in a clean 7th and 8th.

Robinson Chirinos hit his fourth AAA homer and singled in the first game, while Engel Beltre went 4-5. DH Mike Bianucci was 3-5 with a double in the night game.

RF Jared Hoying was 1-3 with a walk in his AAA debut. Hoying stormed out of the gate in Frisco this season (.293/.363/.543 in April) before cooling off considerably leading up to his inaction because of a hamstring pull. Mike Olt was 1-8 with two strikeouts on the day.

AA: Frisco 5, at Midland (OAK) 2
Scoreboard | Frisco RoughRiders Scoreboard
Record: 35-26, -3.0

Teodoro Martinez hit a three-run homer, his seventh. Honestly, I would have expected around seven for the season from him. Adding two singles were DH Brett Nicholas, catcher Tomas Telis, 2B Odubel Herrera and CF Ryan Strausborger.

Carlos Pimentel (2.96 ERA) regained his early-season form and then some, pitching seven innings of one-hit ball, walking two and striking out six. Pimentel has reached 80 strikeouts in just 70 innings. More impressive, given his history, is the total of 21 walks.

Ben Rowen earned a one-out save. Ordinarily, I'm not especially interested in who's closing, just how they pitch, because the closer isn't necessarily the brightest relief prospect. But Rowen's usage has been interesting. He's entered the game to get just the final out three times in the last 12 days. That's atypical, at least below AAA. With the first half approaching its final week and a three-game hurdle to clear, Frisco appears to have shifted to a more win-oriented pitcher-usage strategy, and the man they trust is Rowen. Since allowing a memorable grand slam plating three bequeathed by Cody Buckel, he's allowed 22 runners in 22.1 innings. Opponents are hitting a meager .210/.282/.320 against him.

High-A: Myrtle Beach 8, at Carolina (CLE) 4 (10 innings)
Scoreboard | Myrtle Beach Pelicans Scoreboard
Record: 32-28, tied for first

The Pelicans recovered from a 4-1 deficit. 1B Trever Adams went 4-4 with his seventh homer, and DH Joe Maloney singled and doubled.

Jerad Eickhoff (3.86 ERA) couldn't match his 11-K performance from earlier in the week, yielding four runs on eight hits and a walk in six innings. He struck out three. Francisco Mendoza (2 IP, 1 H, 3 BB, 2 SO) and Ryan Harvey (2 IP, 1 H) stifled the Mudcats as the Pelican offense awakened.

Low-A: Hickory 5, at Greenville (BOS) 1
Scoreboard | Hickory Crawdads Scoreboard
Record: 34-27, +0.5

Solo homers from Nomar Mazara (fifth) and Lewis Brinson (13th) led the way. Mazara (.235/.325/.377) also walked. Brinson singled and is hitting a cool .500 in June, boosting his line to .257/.328/.487). Catcher David Lyon (.233/.320/.349) tripled and singled. Hickory is hitting .316/.381/.578 as a team this month.

Luis Parra (0.75 ERA) walked four in five innings but permitted only two hits and no runs. Aside from keeping their bats on their shoulders, Sally League hitters haven't figured him out yet (.191/.273/.281).

Five Years Ago Yesterday
Texas designated Elizardo Ramirez for assignment. Ramirez had been added to the 40-man and active roster for a 2.2-inning, 9-run start that would be the last appearance of his Major League career. Ramirez was a handy if unexciting starter/swingman for Texas's AAA squad during 2008-2010.

Today's Starters
AAA: Scott Richmond
AA: Tyler Tufts
Hi-A: Alec Asher
Lo-A: Frank Lopez
 
--
Scott Lucas
Newberg Report (newbergreport.com)
rangers.scottlucas.com
twitter: @scottrlucas

 

[Windingmywatch]

Texas announced the signings of 12 draft picks yesterday:
4: Isiah Kiner-Falefa, SS, Mid Pacific Institute, HI
5: Joe Jackson, C, The Citadel
6: Sam Wolff, RHP, Univ. of New Mexico
7: Nick Gardewine, RHP, Kaskaskia CC, IL
8: Evan Van Hoosier, 2B, College of Southern Nevada
9: Jose Samayoa, RHP, Lee University
12: Derek Thompson, LHP, John A Logan College, IL
16: Marcus Greene, C, New Mexico JC
19: Ryan Ledbetter, RHP, Cedarville University
26: Travis Dean, RHP, Kennesaw State
32: John Straka, RHP, North Dakota State
34: Easton Napiontek, RHP, Lower Columbia College, WA

Jackson is Shoeless Joe's great-great-grandnephew.

The Rangers have assigned 20 players to short-season Spokane so far. All are returning players or offseason signings. In order of highest level played (teenagers have asterisks):

Round Rock (if only briefly): OF Hirotoshi Onaka

Low-A Hickory: RHP Richard Alvarez, RHP Eric Brooks, RHP Josh McElwee, LHP Ryne Slack

Spokane: RHP Abel de los Santos, C Brandon Garcia, OF Chris Garia, OF Saquan Johnson, IF Gabriel Roa, IF Cam Schiller,

Rookie: IF Janluis Castro *, RHP Kyle Castro *, OF Jamie Jarmon *, IF Alberto Triunfel *, RHP Collin Wiles *

Dominican: RHP Alex de la Cruz, LHP Yohander Mendez *

No experience: IF Willy Ireton, RHP Mike Zouzalik

Mendez is one to watch. The skinny 6'5" lefty signed for $1.5 million in July 2011 and showed advanced control of three pitches in last year's Dominican Summer League. He turned 18 in January and is currently the youngest on the roster. Also of note: last year's supplemental first-rounder Wiles, 2011 3rd-rounder Castro (who missed 2012 with elbow trouble, if memory serves). Jarmon was Texas's 2nd rounder last summer. Unlike many of his peers who jumped to Hickory this spring, Jarmon showed an advanced batting eye but otherwise struggled in rookie ball (.183/.325/.252). Still, he's warranted a promotion according to the decision makers.

My gut feel is OF Jairo Beras will be assigned to the rookie league when eligible on July 1st.

Rangers Farm Report: Games of 6/9

Stars of the Day
AAA: Joseph Ortiz / Jared Hoying, Joey Butler
AA: Brett Nicholas
Hi-A: Will Lamb / Pat Cantwell, Kellin Deglan
Lo-A: CJ Edwards, Joe Burns / Nick Williams, Joey Gallo

AAA: Round Rock 7, at Iowa (CHC) 10
Scoreboard | Round Rock Express Scoreboard
Record: 35-29, tied for 1st

CF Jared Hoying mashed his first AAA homer, and Joey Butler (.314/.397/.483) hit his sixth and doubled. Singling twice were catcher Robinson Chirinos, SS Yangervis Solarte and 2B Greg Miclat. Solarte played a total of ten games at short from 2006 until a week ago. Since then he's started there seven consecutive games.

Round Rock led 1-0, 3-2 and 4-3 after the top halves of the first three innings, respectively. Iowa eventually scored seven in 2.2 innings against Scott Richmond (5.84 ERA), who done no worse than chew through some innings in four previous starts. Off 16 pitches the day before, Joseph Ortiz tallied 50 and struck out four in 3.1 innings of one-run relief.

Ex-Express 1B Brad Nelson homered twice.

AA: Frisco 4, at Midland (OAK) 3
Scoreboard | Frisco RoughRiders Scoreboard
Record: 36-26, -2.0

Down 3-1 in the 9th, Brett Nicholas belted a two-run homer (his 13th), and pinch-hitter Joe Benson tripled and scored on a groundout. Benson hadn't played since injuring a groin muscle in late May. He's hitting .421/.500/.1.263, for which my standard-issue adjective of "robust" seems woefully inadequate. Nicholas (.306/.378/.562) also singled.

Tyler Tufts (3.79 ERA) gave up a run in five innings. Wilmer Font worked around a hit and walk in the 8th, and Richard Bleier produced a 1-2-3 9th for his second save.

High-A: Myrtle Beach 6, at Carolina (CLE) 4
Scoreboard | Myrtle Beach Pelicans Scoreboard
Record: 33-28, tied for 1st

Alec Asher performed nearly identically to his previous start, which unfortunately meant five hits and four runs in 3.2 innings. Asher (3.23 ERA) walked three and struck out four. The situation allowed Will Lamb space to make his most effective outing of the season, permitting a lone walk and striking out one in 4.1 scoreless, hitless innings. For the most part, Texas's 2011 2nd-rounder has found high-A a very trying experience (6 homers and 17 walks in 25.2 innings preceding yesterday).

Myrtle Beach received a double and single from LF Trever Adams, DH Kellin Deglan (.199/.291/.430) and 3B Edwin Garcia. 2B Rougned Odor drew three walks. His OBP is a nearly 50 points higher than last year at a higher level and a tougher hitter's environment.

Low-A: Hickory 6, at Greenville (BOS) 3 (7+ innings)
Scoreboard | Hickory Crawdads Scoreboard
Record: 35-27, -0.5

Hickory's six-run 4th included Joey Gallo's 15th homer, LF Nick Williams' fourth triple and doubles from RF Nomar Mazara, 1B Ronald Guzman and SS Luis Marte. Gallo (.224/.320/.502) also singled and Williams (.314/.333/.657) doubled.

Back from a brief DL stint, C.J. Edwards (2.07 ERA) allowed just one hit, walked three and fanned eight in five innings. He did give up three runs, all unearned, courtesy of three errors and his own wild pitch. Joe Burns pitched a scoreless 6th and 7th and earned a save, courtesy of the rain.

Five Years Ago Yesterday
Low-A Clinton clinched a playoff spot despite a 4-3 loss. Neftali Feliz (2.29 ERA) whiffed nine and allowed one run in five innings. Oklahoma's Nelson Cruz homered and Chris Davis doubled twice in a 5-2 win over Nashville.

Today's Starters
AAA: Ryan Feierabend
AA: Neil Ramirez
Hi-A: Nick Martinez
Lo-A: Frank Lopez
 
--
Scott Lucas
Newberg Report (newbergreport.com)
rangers.scottlucas.com
twitter: @scottrlucas

 

[jta4437]

Looks like some of the Hickory guys are starting to get it figured out, trial by fire

 

[Windingmywatch]

Looks like some of the Hickory guys are starting to get it figured out, trial by fire

They may individually figured out that the way to Myrtle Beach is to set themselves apart from their teammates and that free swinging with high Ks, low BBs wasn't going to get them out of Hickory.

 

[jta4437]

Gallo may have a low average, but his OBP is pretty solid considering the average, solid eye and good power, hopefully he starts making more consistent contact

Brinson, Williams and Mazara seem to be figuring it out as well, and, Guzman seems to be off to a solid start coming back from injury, should be an interesting rest of the season for these guys, no matter where they end up

Don't know much at all about the Rua kid

 

[Windingmywatch]

Gallo may have a low average, but his OBP is pretty solid considering the average, solid eye and good power, hopefully he starts making more consistent contact

Brinson, Williams and Mazara seem to be figuring it out as well, and, Guzman seems to be off to a solid start coming back from injury, should be an interesting rest of the season for these guys, no matter where they end up

Don't know much at all about the Rua kid

If Gallo is figuring it out ... he has more figuring out to do.

With 98Ks ... Gallo's BA is behind everybody ... his OBP (w/team leading BBs on the team that is in 11th place in BBs) is behind just Williams, Alfaro, Brinson ... his SLG only behind Williams and Rua.

2013 Hickory Crawdads Statistics -- Minor Leagues - Baseball-Reference.com

 

[jta4437]

If Gallo is figuring it out ... he has more figuring out to do.

With 98Ks ... Gallo's BA is behind everybody ... his OBP (w/team leading BBs on the team that is in 11th place in BBs) is behind just Williams, Alfaro, Brinson ... his SLG only behind Williams and Rua.

2013 Hickory Crawdads Statistics -- Minor Leagues - Baseball-Reference.com

hence the the more consistent contact is needed and more figuring to do

 

[Windingmywatch]

Rangers Farm Report: Games of 6/10

Texas announced the signings of first-rounders Alex Gonzalez and Travis Demerrite plus second-rounder Akeem Bostick. Gonzalez will pitch for short-season Spokane, while the shortstop Demeritte and righty Bostick head to the rookie league.

Also signing were CF Ryan Cordell of Liberty University (11), RHP David Gates of Howard College (18) and RHP Justin Sprenger from Tennesse Weslyan (29).

Stars of the Day
AAA: Ryan Feierabend / Mike Olt, Jim Adduci
AA: Tomas Telis, Odubel Herrera
Hi-A: Nick Martinez / Chris Grayson

AAA: at Round Rock 5, Albuquerque (LAD) 2
Scoreboard | Round Rock Express Scoreboard
Record: 36-29, +1.0

3B Mike Olt hit his third AAA homer and walked. Olt is hitting .250 with a double, two homers and four walks and 11 strikeouts in eight games since rejoining the Express. 1B Jim Adduci also homered, his seventh.

Ryan Feierabend (3.65 ERA) threw an 82-pitch complete game, scattering ten runners and striking out six. With Round Rock losing Josh Lindblom to the Rangers, playing a day-night doubleheader Saturday and suffering a 10-run thrashing Sunday, Feierabend's outing officially qualifies as a "godsend."

Texas promoted reliever Ryan Rodebaugh to AAA. Rodebaugh held opponents to a .176/.259/.336 line in 34 Frisco innings. He throws a low-90s fastball and a variety pack of offspeeds ranging from 68-86 when I've seen him. I thought he had a decent shot for an Opening Day AAA assignment, but Texas had too many veteran pitchers it needed to stash in Round Rock.

AA: Frisco 6, at Midland (OAK) 3
Scoreboard | Frisco RoughRiders Scoreboard
Record: 37-26, -1.0, elimination number 7

Catcher Tomas Telis's second homer of the year was Frisco's only extra-base hit. Telis also had one of Frisco's 12 singles. 2B Odubel Herrera was 3-4 and stole his 9th and 10th bases.

Neil Ramirez (3.39 ERA) allowed two runs in five innings, which is nice if we stop there. Actually, he allowed two runs despite seven hits, three walks and four wild pitches. Purely in terms of runners allowed, last night was his worst start of the season. Justin Miller loaded the bases with none out in the 9th (after a scoreless 8th), forcing Ben Rowen into a tricky save situation. Rowen induced a double play (albeit with a run scored) followed by a strikeout.

High-A: at Myrtle Beach 2, Frederick (BAL) 1
Scoreboard | Myrtle Beach Pelicans Scoreboard
Record: 34-28, +1.0, magic number 6

Nick Martinez (2.54 ERA) lasted eight innings, a rarity at this level, yielding a solo homer and two other hits while walking just one and striking out five. Martinez retired 11 straight before the homer. Chris Grayson was 2-3 with a walk from the leadoff spot. RF Preston Beck tallied his seventh outfield assist, good for fourth in the league.

Low-A: rain
Record: 35-27, +0.5, magic number 8

Jorge Alfaro turns 20 today. Spanish lesson: Don't omit the tilde over the "n" when typing the Spanish word for "years."

Hickory will play back-to-back doubleheaders against the team immediately behind them in the standings. Monday's All-Star break couldn't come at a better time.

Five Years Ago Yesterday
Texas signed pitchers Richard Bleier and Joe Wieland. Oklahoma won on a botched pickoff by future Texas AAA pitcher Zach Jackson. Chris Davis hit his third AAA homer, John Mayberry his sixth. Max Ramirez clubbed his 15th homer for Frisco. Clinton's Derek Holland shut down Kane County for six innings.

Today's Starters
AAA: Brad Mills
AA: Kevin Pucetas
Hi-A: Victor Payano
Lo-A: Frank Lopez / Andrew Faulkner
--
Scott Lucas
Newberg Report (newbergreport.com)
rangers.scottlucas.com
twitter: @scottrlucas

 

[Windingmywatch]

Two years ago I thought Neil Ramirez would be in the TEX rotation ahead of Martin Perez ... let alone unknowns Nick Tepesch and Justin Grimm. Course I though Luis Mendoza was the real deal too.

 

[Al Falfa]

Two years ago I thought Neil Ramirez would be in the TEX rotation ahead of Martin Perez ... let alone unknowns Nick Tepesch and Justin Grimm. Course I though Luis Mendoza was the real deal too.

I did, too. The guy had the talent and the pitches, but never seemed to have the heart or the head to be a MLB pitcher.
I think Tepesch will be a good one.

 

[scotsman1948]

what do you think of Carlos Pimentel?

 

[Windingmywatch]

what do you think of Carlos Pimentel?

I've never seen Pimentel pitch ... his numbers aren't that much different than Ramirez. Marginally better ERA, slightly better WHIP, fewer BBs and more HRs. Same record, near identical IP. Scott Lucas thinks more of Pimentel I think. With Feierabend's promotion to fill Lindblom's rotation spot ... Pimentel is probably the guy to watch. Have come to expect Neil Ramirez jumping the tracks couple of times a week.

Who has been out to FRI to watch the current group? I saw the first two games of the season up in Arkansas ... Buckel got killed going only 2.2, Pimentel went 1.0 in relief. The second game Feierabend, Rowen, Mendez and Font all looked good in their first innings of the year. Following the games Mendez might be the next RP talent out of AA.

Anyone else have any thoughts on the Frisco pitching staff?

 

[Windingmywatch]

Up Top: 3B Joey Gallo hit three homers and a double in the first game of a doubleheader against Hagerstown. Victimized by all but the final homer was 2009 unsigned Texas first-rounder Matt Purke. Gallo (.235/.327/.548) and Houston's George Springer share the minor-league lead with 18. Gallo also reached 100 strikeouts in the nightcap. He's on pace for 39 homers and 219 strikeouts.

After announcing a partial squad two days ago, Spokane has topped off its roster with eight 2013 draft picks:
RHP Alex "Chi Chi" Gonzalez (1),
C Joe Jackson (5) from The Citadel,
RHP Sam Wolff (6) of New Mexico,
OF Ryan Cordell (11) from Liberty University,
C Marcus Greene (16) from New Mexico Junior College,
RHP Travis Dean (26) from Kennesaw State,
RHP Justin Sprenger (29) of Tennessee Wesleyan,
RHP John Straka (32) from North Dakota State.

I'll update my organization chart when I get back to Austin on Saturday.

Rangers Farm Report: Games of 6/11

Stars of the Day
AAA: Brad Mills
AA: Jimmy Reyes / Alex Buchholz, Tomas Telis
Hi-A: Victor Payano, Jon Edwards / Luis Sardinas, Chris Grayson
Lo-A: Frank Lopez, Alexander Claudio, Andrew Faulkner, Cody Kendall / Joey Gallo

AAA: at Round Rock 0, Albuquerque (LAD) 6
Scoreboard | Round Rock Express Scoreboard
Record: 36-30, tied for 1st

I comment on this game only to fulfill my duty. Brad Mills gave up two runs in six innings, but Ryan Rodebaugh's AAA debut needs a reboot: four runs on two doubles, three singles and an HBP in one inning. Offense was negligible.

AA: Frisco 3, at Midland (OAK) 4
Scoreboard | Frisco RoughRiders Scoreboard
Record: 37-27, -2.0, elimination number 5

A tough loss. Tied at two with two out and none on in the 5th, Midland strung together a pair of walks and singles for two runs. Frisco also left the bases loaded in the 9th. Kevin Pucetas (4.61 ERA) allowed four runs in six innings. Jimmy Reyes (3.00 ERA) offered a scoreless 7th and 8th with a walk and strikeout. Alex Buchholz was 4-4 with two runs and catcher Tomas Telis drove in three with two singles.

Frisco has seven All-Stars on the South Division squad: starting 2B Odubel Herrera and 1B Brett Nicholas, reserve IF Guilder Rodriguez and catcher Tomas Telis, and pitchers Carlos Pimentel, Neil Ramirez and Ben Rowen.

High-A: at Myrtle Beach 5, Frederick (BAL) 4
Scoreboard | Myrtle Beach Pelicans Scoreboard
Record: 35-28, +1.0, magic number 5

SS Luis Sardinas went 4-5 with a double, CF Chris Grayson tallied three singles, and 1B Joe Maloney singled and doubled. Sardinas (.282/.330/.340) also stole his 19th base.

Victor Payano (3.84 ERA) walked three in five innings but struck out six and allowed only two hits, so only two scored with him on the bump. Jon Edwards (3.70 ERA) produced a scoreless 7th and 8th, while Randol Rojas (2.,76 ERA) earned his second save.

The Pelicans will have five All-Stars: 2B Rougned Odor (starting), SS Luis Sardinas, and pitchers Alec Asher, Luke Jackson and Nick Martinez. The Carolina League doesn't play a self-contained game, instead locking horns with the California League, so making the team is quite a challenge.

Low-A: Hickory 6, at Hagerstown (WAS) 2 (7 innings)
Scoreboard | Hickory Crawdads Scoreboard
Low-A: Hickory 1, at Hagerstown (WAS) 0 (7 innings)
Scoreboard | Hickory Crawdads Scoreboard
Record: 37-27, +2.5, magic number 4

Gallo stole the show, obviously. Ryan Rua (.242/.350/.567) doubled and walked. Frank Lopez (1.74 ERA) fanned eight in five innings and allowed a couple of runs on five hits and a walk. Alexander Claudio (1.27) faced seven batters, recording a walk and six strikeouts. The changeup specialist has an opposing line of .139/.173/.243 and a 38% strikeout rate.

Nick Williams (.306/.325/.646) tripled home DH Nick Vickerson (0-2, BB) for the second game's only run. Even after last night, Williams has a higher isolated power than Gallo, but he's also drawn a total of four walks all season.

Andrew Faulkner (2.37 ERA) one-hit the Suns across five innings, walked two and struck out seven. Cody Kendall (4.55 ERA) issued a rare walk but earned a two-inning save.

Five Years Ago Yesterday
I announced Spokane's roster. The only position players still in the organization as hitters are OF Joey Butler and C Zach Zaneski. Also around but converted to the mound are Johan Yan and Matt West (still recovering from Tommy John). The pitching staff included Martin Perez, Neil Ramirez, Carlos Pimentel and Richard Bleier. Contrasted to present-day Myrtle Beach, Texas's only high-A All-Star in 2008 was 2B Jose Vallejo.

Today's Starters
AAA: Martin Perez
AA: Nick McBride
Hi-A: Luke Jackson
Lo-A: Tyler Smith / Ryan Bores (tentative)
--
Scott Lucas
Newberg Report (newbergreport.com)
rangers.scottlucas.com
twitter: @scottrlucas

 

[Windingmywatch]

Rangers Farm Report: Games of 6/12

I neglected to mention yesterday that Texas released RHP Carlos Melo, who with long-departed RHP Guillermo Moscoso was Texas's bounty in the Gerald Laird trade back in 2008. Melo threw hard but never developed any control, topping out at low-A Hickory in five seasons. Texas also released Casey Shiver, its 10th-rounder from last summer. Shiver had posted a 2.22 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 24 innings in rookie ball as a 21-year-old.

Stars of the Day
AAA: Martin Perez, Joseph Ortiz / Mike Olt, Joey Butler
AA: Brett Nicholas, Alex Buchholz, Hanser Alberto
Hi-A: Luke Jackson, Joe Van Meter / Trever Adams, Edwin Garcia, Drew Robinson, Chris Grayson
Lo-A: Keone Kela / Nick Williams, Ryan Rua, Joey Gallo, Nomar Mazara

AAA: at Round Rock 4, Albuquerque (LAD) 2
Scoreboard | Round Rock Express Scoreboard
Record: 37-30, +1.0

Mike Olt went single, sac fly, walk, double, improving to .257/.341/.486 in ten clear-eyed AAA games.

On 93 pitches, Martin Perez (2.10 ERA) walked none and struck out six, allowing an unearned run on eight hits. Opponents are hitting .239/.297/.385 with a 23% strikeout rate against him in five AAA starts. He's never pitched this well at this level for a significant length of time. Alas, these games overlap his one very shaky MLB start.

In two scoreless innings, Joseph Ortiz gave up two singles and struck out six. DH Joey Butler (.320/.405/.481) was 3-4.

AA: at Frisco 5, Corpus Christi (HOU) 8
Scoreboard | Frisco RoughRiders Scoreboard
Record: 37-28, -3.0, elimination number 3

Frisco held George Springer reasonably in check but was hurt by an error and other miscues. (Springer was minor-league baseball's leader in home runs until Joey Gallo's recent onslaught.) After a Hanser Alberto error, starter Nick McBride hit a batter and allowed two two-out singles leading to three unearned runs. McBride (9.00 ERA) walked three, struck out an impressive five and allowed two hits in his three innings. Neither Arlett Mavare (2 IP, 3 R) not Richard Bleier (3 IP, 2 R) could stem the tide.

Alberto (.227/.260/.301) was 3-4 with a double, and 1B Brett Nicholas (.312/.381/.554) singled twice and walked. 3B Alex Buchholz (.273/.317/.413) followed last night's four hits with three more including a double.

Realistically, if not technically, Frisco needs to win the other three games of its series against the division-leading Hooks to win the first-half title. Silliness: 1) The league has split-season division champs, and Frisco's first half ends squarely in the middle of a four-game series vs. Midland; 2) If Frisco and Corpus tie for the first-half title, the tiebreaker is their first regularly scheduled second-half game, which will be June 20.

High-A: at Myrtle Beach 5, Frederick (BAL) 1
Scoreboard | Myrtle Beach Pelicans Scoreboard
Record: 36-28, +2.0, magic number 3

Luke Jackson (2.18 ERA) limited the Keys to two singles and a walk to his final batter in six-plus innings. One unearned run scored after his departure. Jackson struck out six. Opponents are hitting .227/.324/.355 against him, very good but perhaps not quite as good as it sounds; the league average is just .253/.330/.383, and Myrtle Beach favors pitchers. Joe Van Meter (2.29 ERA) fanned five in two scoreless innings.

Connecting for a single and double were LF Trever Adams, SS Edwin Garcia and 3B Drew Robinson (.224/.314/.332).

Low-A: Hickory 3, at Hagerstown (WAS) 10 (7 innings)
Scoreboard | Hickory Crawdads Scoreboard
Low-A: Hickory 5, at Hagerstown (WAS) 6 (9 innings)
Scoreboard | Hickory Crawdads Scoreboard
Record: 37-29, +0.5, magic number 4

Hagerstown erupted for 36 baserunners in the doubleheader, perhaps the most critical coming on an error in the 9th innings of Game 2. Jose Leclerc's errant throw on a sac bunt allowed the winning run to score all the way from 1st.

Starter Tyler Smith (4 IP, 6 R, 3 BB, 2SO, 6.91 ERA) was the victim in the first game, and Sam Stafford (1 IP, 4 R) fueled the fire. Nick Williams (.299/.321/.643) hit his 12th homer, Ryan Rua (.245/.356/.582) his 18th. Williams was also hit by a pitch and Rua walked.

In the latter game, Joey Gallo (.236/.331/.565) homered twice more to take command of the minors-wide home run lead at 20. Nomar Mazara (.236/.327/.389) mashed his sixth homer, singled and walked. Both deep flies came in the 1st, granting Hickory a temporary 3-0 lead. Ryan Bores (4.41 ERA) gave up four runs on nine hits in 2.2 innings. Keone Kela also lasted 2.2, yielding one runs but stranding two in scoring position in the 3rd and fanning three.

So, Hickory departs Hagerstown as it came, leading the Suns by a fragile 0.5 games. Hickory will make the long drive home to face 28-35 Delmarva, while Hagerstown hosts 25-38 Lakewood. At two games back, Pittsburgh-affiliated West Virginia can still sneak in.

Five Years Ago Yesterday
Texas purchased the contract of RHP Eric Hurley and optioned Kam Loe. Nelson Cruz hit his 20th homer for AAA, and Chris Davis clubbed his 17th between AA and AAA. Frisco clinched a first-half title via a 15-0 pasting of the Hooks.

Today's Starters
AAA: Evan Meek
AA: Carlos Pimentel
Hi-A: Jerad Eickhoff
Lo-A: Luis Parra
--
Scott Lucas
Newberg Report (newbergreport.com)
rangers.scottlucas.com
twitter: @scottrlucas

 

[fanman8825]

Rangers Farm Report: Games of 6/12

I neglected to mention yesterday that Texas released RHP Carlos Melo, who with long-departed RHP Guillermo Moscoso was Texas's bounty in the Gerald Laird trade back in 2008. Melo threw hard but never developed any control, topping out at low-A Hickory in five seasons. Texas also released Casey Shiver, its 10th-rounder from last summer. Shiver had posted a 2.22 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 24 innings in rookie ball as a 21-year-old.

Stars of the Day
AAA: Martin Perez, Joseph Ortiz / Mike Olt, Joey Butler
AA: Brett Nicholas, Alex Buchholz, Hanser Alberto
Hi-A: Luke Jackson, Joe Van Meter / Trever Adams, Edwin Garcia, Drew Robinson, Chris Grayson
Lo-A: Keone Kela / Nick Williams, Ryan Rua, Joey Gallo, Nomar Mazara

AAA: at Round Rock 4, Albuquerque (LAD) 2
Scoreboard | Round Rock Express Scoreboard
Record: 37-30, +1.0

Mike Olt went single, sac fly, walk, double, improving to .257/.341/.486 in ten clear-eyed AAA games.

On 93 pitches, Martin Perez (2.10 ERA) walked none and struck out six, allowing an unearned run on eight hits. Opponents are hitting .239/.297/.385 with a 23% strikeout rate against him in five AAA starts. He's never pitched this well at this level for a significant length of time. Alas, these games overlap his one very shaky MLB start.

In two scoreless innings, Joseph Ortiz gave up two singles and struck out six. DH Joey Butler (.320/.405/.481) was 3-4.

AA: at Frisco 5, Corpus Christi (HOU) 8
Scoreboard | Frisco RoughRiders Scoreboard
Record: 37-28, -3.0, elimination number 3

Frisco held George Springer reasonably in check but was hurt by an error and other miscues. (Springer was minor-league baseball's leader in home runs until Joey Gallo's recent onslaught.) After a Hanser Alberto error, starter Nick McBride hit a batter and allowed two two-out singles leading to three unearned runs. McBride (9.00 ERA) walked three, struck out an impressive five and allowed two hits in his three innings. Neither Arlett Mavare (2 IP, 3 R) not Richard Bleier (3 IP, 2 R) could stem the tide.

Alberto (.227/.260/.301) was 3-4 with a double, and 1B Brett Nicholas (.312/.381/.554) singled twice and walked. 3B Alex Buchholz (.273/.317/.413) followed last night's four hits with three more including a double.

Realistically, if not technically, Frisco needs to win the other three games of its series against the division-leading Hooks to win the first-half title. Silliness: 1) The league has split-season division champs, and Frisco's first half ends squarely in the middle of a four-game series vs. Midland; 2) If Frisco and Corpus tie for the first-half title, the tiebreaker is their first regularly scheduled second-half game, which will be June 20.

High-A: at Myrtle Beach 5, Frederick (BAL) 1
Scoreboard | Myrtle Beach Pelicans Scoreboard
Record: 36-28, +2.0, magic number 3

Luke Jackson (2.18 ERA) limited the Keys to two singles and a walk to his final batter in six-plus innings. One unearned run scored after his departure. Jackson struck out six. Opponents are hitting .227/.324/.355 against him, very good but perhaps not quite as good as it sounds; the league average is just .253/.330/.383, and Myrtle Beach favors pitchers. Joe Van Meter (2.29 ERA) fanned five in two scoreless innings.

Connecting for a single and double were LF Trever Adams, SS Edwin Garcia and 3B Drew Robinson (.224/.314/.332).

Low-A: Hickory 3, at Hagerstown (WAS) 10 (7 innings)
Scoreboard | Hickory Crawdads Scoreboard
Low-A: Hickory 5, at Hagerstown (WAS) 6 (9 innings)
Scoreboard | Hickory Crawdads Scoreboard
Record: 37-29, +0.5, magic number 4

Hagerstown erupted for 36 baserunners in the doubleheader, perhaps the most critical coming on an error in the 9th innings of Game 2. Jose Leclerc's errant throw on a sac bunt allowed the winning run to score all the way from 1st.

Starter Tyler Smith (4 IP, 6 R, 3 BB, 2SO, 6.91 ERA) was the victim in the first game, and Sam Stafford (1 IP, 4 R) fueled the fire. Nick Williams (.299/.321/.643) hit his 12th homer, Ryan Rua (.245/.356/.582) his 18th. Williams was also hit by a pitch and Rua walked.

In the latter game, Joey Gallo (.236/.331/.565) homered twice more to take command of the minors-wide home run lead at 20. Nomar Mazara (.236/.327/.389) mashed his sixth homer, singled and walked. Both deep flies came in the 1st, granting Hickory a temporary 3-0 lead. Ryan Bores (4.41 ERA) gave up four runs on nine hits in 2.2 innings. Keone Kela also lasted 2.2, yielding one runs but stranding two in scoring position in the 3rd and fanning three.

So, Hickory departs Hagerstown as it came, leading the Suns by a fragile 0.5 games. Hickory will make the long drive home to face 28-35 Delmarva, while Hagerstown hosts 25-38 Lakewood. At two games back, Pittsburgh-affiliated West Virginia can still sneak in.

Five Years Ago Yesterday
Texas purchased the contract of RHP Eric Hurley and optioned Kam Loe. Nelson Cruz hit his 20th homer for AAA, and Chris Davis clubbed his 17th between AA and AAA. Frisco clinched a first-half title via a 15-0 pasting of the Hooks.

Today's Starters
AAA: Evan Meek
AA: Carlos Pimentel
Hi-A: Jerad Eickhoff
Lo-A: Luis Parra
--
Scott Lucas
Newberg Report (newbergreport.com)
rangers.scottlucas.com
twitter: @scottrlucas

Its time for the Rangers to consider bringing up Martin Perez. He has been been terrific in his last 4 starts giving up only 3 ER. Grimm and Tep have done a fine job considering the offense has not given them much support lately so have Lindblom and Perez battle it out for the 5th spot. Who knows when Colby will get back and now Harrison will not be back until September. I would not even bring back Harry if were not in contention at that time. What really hurts is losing Ogando indefinitely given he was pitching very well.

 

[Windingmywatch]

How does Perez get the offense to produce run support?