Scott Lucas Daily Farm Report

[fordman84]

For those of you who are familiar with it, Scott Lucas has a great email that he sends out about the Rangers farm system. WMW had a great idea to sticky a thread to post it at the SportsHoopla.

Thanks Scott, and thanks WMW.

 

[fordman84]

Been slipping posting these, so here come a few in a row

Per local reports, Alexi Ogando will stay with Round Rock and throw 95 pitches Thursday. Colby Lewis will pitch Wednesday with Frisco.

Rangers Farm Report: Games of 7/13

Stars of the Day
AAA: Brad Mills / Mike Olt, Jose Felix
AA: Tyler Tufts / Tomas Telis, Alex Buchholz
Hi-A: Josh McElwee / Luis Sardinas, Edwin Garcia
Lo-A: Connor Sadzeck, Tyler Smith / Nick Williams, Nick Vickerson
Short-A: Ryne Slack
Rookie: Jose Samayoa, Ryan Ledbetter, Easton Napiontek / Jose Cardona, Smerling Lantigua

AAA: Round Rock 0, at Omaha (KC) 2
Record: 53-44, -2.0

3B Mike Olt (.245/.341/.469 since his return) singled and doubled, and catcher Jose Felix (.293/.305/.323) did the same plus a walk. Manny Ramirez singled. Brad Mills (3.87 ERA) gave up a run in five innings, and Justin Miller struck out one in a scoreless 8th.

AA: Frisco 4, at Corpus Christi (HOU) 3 (11 innings)
Record: 9-13, -5.0

Three extra-inning games in four days. Alex Buchholz (2-4, BB) doubled home Brett Nicholas in the 11th. Catcher Tomas Telis (.288/.313/.402) doubled and singled. Tyler Tufts (3.55 ERA) worked six scoreless innings with three strikeouts on just 69 pitches.

High-A: at Myrtle Beach 6, Winston-Salem (CHA) 6
Record: 12-9, tied for 1st

For a while, Jerad Eickhoff (3.63 ERA) seemed in danger of not reaching his customary five-inning minimum, but he persevered. Eickhoff allowed seven hits and two walks leading to four runs, and he fanned five. Eickhoff has reached five innings in 16 of 18 starts, the laggards being Opening Day and a rain-delayed contest. Opponents are hitting .251/.298/.391 against him, with most of the power damage coming from right-handed hitters. Josh McElwee (1.29 ERA) struck out four in 3.1 innings marked by an unearned run.

Myrtle Beach scored five in the 5th, capped by Preston Beck's two-run single. SS Luis Sardinas (.297/.351/.364) was 2-4 with a double and walk, and 2B Edwin Garcia went 3-5 with a double.

Low-A: Hickory 5, at Lakewood (PHI) 1
Record: 14-8, +0.5

Connor Sadzeck offered 5.1 of the less attractive scoreless innings you'll see, walking five, hitting another batter, unleashing a wild pitch, allowing three hits and striking out just one. Two timely double plays and Lakewood's five empty at-bats with runners in scoring position helped. Tyler Smith (6.24 ERA) pitched a scoreless 8th and 9th.

Nick Williams (.311/.344/.615) tripled and walked but had to leave with a sore quad. Nick Vickerson (.255/.421/.422) walked and homered twice, the second an inside-the-parker. 2B Ryan Rua (.259/.368/.620) singled, walked and stole his 11th base.

Short-A: Spokane 0, at Salem-Keizer (SFO) 6
Record: 15-14, -4.0

Spokane's offense reverted to early-season form, managing four singles and two walks. Catcher Joe Jackson reached on a single and walk.

Kyle Castro (8.83 ERA) was touched for six runs in 4.1 innings on six hits and two walks. He struck out three. Ryne Slack (2.70 ERA) tossed 2.2 scoreless innings with two strikeouts.

Rookie: at Rangers 6, Mariners 0
Record: 12-8, +0.5

The Rangers have a 2.72 ERA, remarkably low for the level, and have allowed 14 fewer runs than any opponent. Jose Samayoa's four scoreless innings and seven strikeouts extended his season totals to 16 and 25, respectively. Ryan Ledbetter (2.89 ERA) and Easton Napiontek (0.87 ERA) produced two scoreless frames. Ledbetter fanned two.

CF Jose Cardona (.284/.353/.419) walked twice, singled and stole his fourth base. 1B Smerling Lantigua (.203/.282/.344) singled and doubled, and RF Jairo Beras (.275/.326/.475) singled twice and stole his first base.

Five Years Ago Yesterday
Futures Game Recap: Elvis Andrus reached on a Cliff Pennington error and walked; he also stole a base and was picked off. Taylor Teagarden walked in his only trip to the plate and threw out would-be stealers Ivan DeJesus and Pablo Sandoval.

Today's Starters
AAA: Evan Meek
AA: Nick McBride
Hi-A: Victor Payano
Lo-A: Frank Lopez
Short-A: Yohander Mendez
Rookie: off

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

 

[fordman84]

Craig Gentry was 0-3 with a walk for AA Frisco. Jeff Baker joins the Riders today.

Rangers Farm Report: Games of 7/14

Stars of the Day
AAA: Meek / Cunningham, Solarte, Ramirez, Olt, McGuiness, Adduci
AA: McBride / Nicholas
Hi-A: Adams, Robinson, Maloney
Lo-A: Stafford
Short-A: Garia, Torres, Van Hoosier

AAA: Round Rock 10, at Omaha (KC) 3
Record: 54-44, -2.0

The six hitters listed as "stars" homered. Manny Ramirez (.300/.364/.600) also singled, and Mike Olt walked twice. Chris McGuiness (.271/.379/.463) added a double and walk.

Since his return from eye trouble, Olt is batting .247/.349/.486 with eight homers and 23 walks in 40 games. You might have noticed that I've never listed his full-season stats. I never will. For evaluative purposes, April doesn't exist.

Ramirez has three homers in 33 trips to the plate.

Former All-Star reliever Evan Meek (4.13 ERA) threw a season-high seven innings with one run allowed.

Video of homers by Olt and Ramirez.

AA: at Frisco 2, San Antonio (SDG) 4
Record: 9-14, -6.0, 48-45 overall

Rehabbing Craig Gentry led off with a walk and scored on Brett Nicholas's 17th homer. San Antonio retired the next 26 Roughriders in order. Frisco's .297 OBP is the worst in AA, although eight teams have fewer runs.

In six innings, Nick McBride (5.44 ERA) allowed two runs on eight hits, two walks and two strikeouts. Just promoted from Myrtle Beach, Joe Van Meter yielded two runs on four hits in two innings while fanning three. Van Meter also pitched thrice for Frisco in 2012, allowing seven runs in five innings.

High-A: at Myrtle Beach 9, Winston-Salem (CHA) 7
Record: 13-9, tied for 1st, 53-38 overall

Victor Payano struck out eight of 20 batters, walked three, and allowed three runs on five hits in four innings. While not a great performance (aside from the strikeouts), it's his best in a month. In his previous four starts, Payano (5.42 ERA) lasted a total of 7.1 innings and allowed 25 runners. For you fantasy owners, that's a 3.41 WHIP.

1B Joe Maloney (.244/.299/.397) drove in five on his third homer, double and single. 3B Drew Robinson (.245/.361/.372) reached on two singles and two walks, and DH Trever Adams was 3-4.

Low-A: Hickory 1, at Lakewood (PHI) 5
Record: 14-9, +1.0, 53-40 overall

In his briefest start this year, Frank Lopez (5.58 ERA) was touched for four runs on eight hits and three walks in just 2.1 innings. I liked him better as "Aliangel." Aliangel Lopez is a charismatic anti-hero in a spaghetti western. Frank Lopez sells aluminum siding.

Sam Stafford (6.08 ERA) continues to improve, tallying six strikeouts in three scoreless innings.

Hickory didn't score until the 9th. Ryan Rua (.260/.369/.620) doubled and walked, and RF Nomar Mazara (.236/.319/.375) singled twice.

Hickory is actually tied for first with Hagerstown, but Hagerstown's first-half title effectively eliminates them from the second half competition (winning both halves gets you a pat on the back, not a first-round bye). Hickory leads third-place West Virginia by one game. If Hagerstown "wins" the second half, the other playoff spot belongs to whoever posts the second-best overall record.

Short-A: Spokane 8, at Salem-Keizer (SFO) 4
Record: 16-14, -4.0, elimination number 5

Spokane put 20 men on base. Chris Garia (.271/.323/.466) was 3-5 with a triple, walk and three steals, giving him 15 in 28 games. He's already matched last year's 11 extra-base hits. With two hits were RF Ryan Cordell (plus his 11th SB), C Kevin Torres (plus a walk) and LF Evan Van Hoosier (who doubled). 1B Barrett Serrato and DH Joe Jackson walked twice.

Yohander Mendez pitched like Hickory's Connor Sadzeck the day before, walking five in 4.2 innings but allowing just two runs (one earned) on three hits. Mendez had walked a total of eight in his first five starts. Such is life for an 18-year-old in the Northwest League. 6th-round RHP Sam Wolff (0.68 ERA) finally allowed a run, giving up three hits and a walk in two innings. He's held opponents to a .174/.255/.239 line and fanned 15 in 13.1 innings.

Get to know David and Ryan Ledbetter. Ledbetter twins at home in Rangers family - Spokesman.com - July 15, 2013

Rookie: off
Record: 12-8, +0.5

Five Years Ago Yesterday
In Frisco, rehabbing Eric Hurley tossed 7.1 innings of shutout ball and Hank Blalock doubled home a run. In his Bakersfield debut, Derek Holland allowed three runs on four hits in the 3rd. In his other five innings, he held the Visalia Oaks to one hit and a couple of walks while striking out five. Spokane's Martin Perez struck out five in four innings as he limited the Yakima Bears to four hits, a walk, and one run on a solo homer.

Today's Starters
AAA: off
AA: Kevin Pucetas
Hi-A: Ryan Harvey
Lo-A: Andrew Faulkner
Short-A: Collin Wiles
Rookie: Kevin Sosa

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

 

[fordman84]

Rangers Farm Report: Games of 7/15

Stars of the Day
Hi-A: Edwards / Robinson, Odor, Deglan
Lo-A: Faulkner, Kendall / Teschner
Short-A: Wiles, Ege / Jackson
Rookie: Sosa, Lanphere / Lantigua

AAA: off

All-Star break.

AA: wet

Two today featuring Craig Gentry and Jeff Baker.

High-A: at Myrtle Beach 8, Winston-Salem (CHA) 7
Record: 14-9, +1.0

In a nod to the rookie leagues, Myrtle Beach and Winston-Salem combined for seven errors, five wild pitches, three hit batters and 18 walks.

1B Joe Maloney "singled" home Rougned Odor from third in the 9th to end the game. Maloney grounded to the third baseman who threw wildly to home. I can't say how that's not a fielder's choice, if not an error, but no matter. Catcher Kellin Deglan (.224/.321/.402) singled home two early runs, walked, and singled again between Odor and Maloney in the 9th. Odor (.341/.384/.462 since the All-Star break) doubled, walked and stole two bases, giving him 25. DH Drew Robinson (.271/.441/.443 break) walked twice and singled.

Because of last Thursday's doubleheader and today's off day, the bullpen handled all nine innings. The fourth and final hurler Jon Edwards fared best, striking out five in 2.2 scoreless innings. Conversely, Will Lamb (5.08 ERA) walked six in just two innings and allowed three runs.

Low-A: Hickory 3, at Lakewood (PHI) 0
Record: 15-9, +2.5

In six innings, a 1st-inning single and walk were the only blemishes on the record of Andrew Faulkner (3.08 ERA), who whiffed two. Cody Kendall (3.63 ERA0 worked around three hits, and struck out one.

Steven Teschner, nominally a catcher but manning first yesterday, contributed a single and double. RF Nomar Mazara and catcher David Lyon singled twice.

Ryan Rua had the day off, but his 28 homers remains ahead of all minor leaguers. As best as I can tell, he currently has the highest rate of homers per plate appearance (7.9%), isolated power (.360, equaling slugging percentage minus batting average), and percentage of hits for extra bases (65%) of any low-A hitter since at least 1992. He might be the best ever in these regards, but I don't have earlier stats at the ready. This comes after a total of 11 homers in two short seasons following the 2011 draft.

Unfortunately, Rua is 23. Take a moment to ponder the likelihood of a 23-year-old in low-A reaching the Majors. Done? I'm sorry, but the truth may be worse than you think. Here's the top ten low-A 23-year-olds ranked by isolated power in the last 21 years: Scott Talanoa, Kevin Collins, Joe Koshansky (in hitter's paradise Asheville), Matt Raleigh, Craig Ansman, Cesar Nicolas, Joe Biascucci, Steven Souza, Don Denbow and Brian Pellegrini. Current Round Rock slugger Mike Bianucci ranks 14th, and ex-Ranger Erik Morrison is 17th.

Only Koshansky reached the Majors, receiving a sip of coffee in 2007 and a cup in '08. Slide farther down the list and others appear: Justin Leone, Ryan Minor, Brandon Larsen, and, most notably, Robert Fick. Not to say that Rua hasn't improved his stature -- far from it -- and again, the rate stats I ticked off are better than everybody. I don't want to discredit his accomplishments. Still, he's facing very long odds. Just reaching the Majors would be a huge accomplishment for someone of this age at this level.

Meanwhile, here's the top ten 18-year-olds by ISO: Giancarlo Stanton, Alex Rodriguez, Chad Hermansen, Xander Bogaerts (a top prospect with Boston), Bryce Harper, Andruw Jones, Gary Sanchez (top prospect with the Yankees), Delmon Young, Andy Marte, Jurickson Profar. Only Hermansen and Marte were busts. Young has made a small fortune despite a career WAR of 1.8. Age is critical.

All that said, I think in most years that Rua-type player would have spent a sizable chunk of the season in high-A. But, even more so than usual, Texas prefers to keep groups of core players together. Also, Rua gives much of the credit for his breakout to hitting coach Justin Mashore, who is stationed in Hickory. Finally, Rua can't play regularly in Myrtle Beach right now except in a super-utility role that would still eat into others' time. Most of his experience is at second or third, where Rougned Odor and Drew Robinson are likely entrenched for the duration of 2013.

Short-A: at Spokane 1, Tri-City (COL) 4
Record: 16-15, elimination number 4

Catcher Joe Jackson doubled and singled, and Cam Schiller singled twice. That was most of Spokane's offense against Rox third-rounder Sam Moll and his pals.

Collin Wiles held Tri-City scoreless until the 5th, when three hits after an error led the three runs. Wiles (4.13 ERA) lasted 4.2 innings, struck out seven and walked one. Cody Ege fanned three in two perfect innings.

Rookie: Rangers 3, at Royals 2
Record: 13-8, +1.5

17-year-old, 21st-round RHP Luke Lanphere pitched a scoreless inning with one strikeout in his professional debut. Texas tempted Lanphere away from UC-Riverside for a reported $400,000, far above slot. The Press-Enterprise of southern California has more.

Starter Kevin Sosa (2.48 ERA) lasted five innings and allowed a run on three hits, a walk and two strikeouts. Smerling Lantigua was 2-4 with a triple.

Five Years Ago Yesterday
Only two games on the calendar, neither noteworthy.

Today's Starters
AAA: off
AA: Kevin Pucetas / Arlett Mavare
Hi-A: off
Lo-A: off
Short-A: David Ledbetter
Rookie: off

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

 

[fordman84]

Rehabbing Craig Gentry and Jeff Baker were hitless in three at-bats for AA Frisco yesterday. Gentry had a sac fly. Colby Lewis is slated for the second game of tonight's doubleheader.

Video of low-A Hickory in its home park is hard to come by. Here's a very well edited highlight package from a June series against Lexington.

Rangers Farm Report: Games of 7/16

Stars of the Day
AA: Pucetas
Short-A: Ledbetter, Zouzalik / Torres, Schiller

AAA: off

The All-Star Game in Reno tonight matches the Pacific Coast and International Leagues. Pitcher Brad Mills, IF Yangervis Solarte and OF Joey Butler represent the Express. The MLB Network will carry it at 8pm CDT.

As usual, 12 of the 16 PCL hitters come from the western (hitter-friendly) half of the league, and eight of the ten pitchers come from the eastern (pitcher-friendly) half, because the voters and powers that be don't understand or care about park effects. Tonight's contest certainly doesn't rival the Futures Game for prospect-watching, but the PCL roster has a decent collection of under-25 participants:

2B Wilmer Flores (Las Vegas/NYM)
3B Matt Davidson (Reno/ARI)
SS Chris Owings (Reno/ARI)
3B Ryan Wheeler (Colo Springs/COL)
OF Michael Choice (Sacto/OAK)
SP Jarrod Cosart (OKC/HOU)
RP Michael Wacha (Memphis/STL)
RP Brian Moran (Tacoma/SEA)
RP Jason Stoffel (OKC/HOU)

AA: at Frisco 4, San Antonio (SDG) 0 (7 innings)
Record: 10-14, -5.0

Kevin Pucetas (4.51 ERA) three-hit the Missions on an economical 89 pitches. He struck out four. 3B Alex Buchholz singled and hit his 10th homer. 1B Brett Nicholas (.312/.367/.525) and 2B Odubel Herrera (.248/.273/.322) singled twice.

Game Two was rained out. They'll try for two again today.

Short-A: at Spokane 2, Tri-City (COL) 1
Record: 17-15, -4.0, elimination number 3

3rd-rounder David Ledbetter (1.00 ERA) limited the Dust Devils to a single and two walks in five innings, striking out six. To date, Ledbetter has held opponents to a .188/.228/.292 line with five walks 26 strikeouts in 27 innings (26% SO rate). Mike Zouzalik (2.13 ERA) fanned two in a clean 9th. Tri-City's only run, and only other hit, was a solo homer off Abel de los Santos.

Catcher Kevin Torres was 3-4 with a solo homer, and 1B Cam Schiller (.205/.299/.295) went 2-3 with a walk.

High-A, Low-A, Rookie: off

Five Years Ago Yesterday
Nelson Cruz singled and walked as a Pacific Coast League All-Star. Joe Wieland struck out four in four innings of rookie ball.

Today's Starters
AAA: All-Star Game
AA: Arlett Mavare / Colby Lewis
Hi-A: Luke Jackson
Lo-A: CJ Edwards
Short-A: Kelvin Vasquez
Rookie: Derek Thompson

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

 

[fordman84]

Colby Lewis allowed four runs on a homer, three other hits and a walk in 2.2 innings at AA Frisco. Lewis struck out one and threw 45 pitches, 27 for strikes. His fastball hovered mostly around 86 and peaked at 89. Notwithstanding the results, Lewis experienced none of the soreness that truncated previous rehab missions.

Craig Gentry was 3-8 with a double across the doubleheader, and Jeff Baker singled twice in eight at-bats.

Organization strikeout leaders:
CJ Edwards: 122 (2nd in all of minors)
Neil Ramirez: 113 (8th)
Carlos Pimentel: 112 (10th)
Luke Jackson: 93
Alec Asher: 86

Rangers Farm Report: Games of 7/17

Stars of the Day
AA: Bonilla, McClennan / Buchholz, Zaneski, Nicholas
Hi-A: Jackson, Dennis, Mendoza / Odor, Grayson , Garcia
Lo-A: Edwards, Monegro / Brinson
Short-A: Vasquez, Straka / Cordell
Rookie: Beras

AAA: off

Per several reports, SP Brad Mills has requested his release to pursue an opportunity in Japan. Round Rock has no in-house replacement for Mills at present, but a rehabbing Alexi Ogando and whomever he replaces in current Texas rotation can fill Mills' slot.

AA (1): at Frisco 4, San Antonio (SDG) 3 (9 innings)
AA (2): at Frisco 4, San Antonio (SDG) 6 (7 innings)
Record: 11-15, -5.0

In the opener, Alex Buchholz hit a two-run homer in the 7th to send the game to extras. After a San Antonio run in the 8th, Zach Zaneski's solo homer forced another inning, and Buchholz's 9th-inning solo shot finally ended the contest. Kyle McClennan (4.42 ERA) worked a scoreless 6th and 7th, Alex Claudio (1.59 ERA) fanned the side around a hit in the 5th, and Arlett Mavare (5.94 ERA) gave up two runs in four innings.

Lisalverto Bonilla threw two scoreless innings with two strikeouts in the nightcap. Brett Nicholas hit his 18th homer, and Buchholz was 2-3 with a double.

OF Joe Benson homered on rehab with the rookies.

High-A: at Myrtle Beach 4, Wilmington (KC) 3
Record: 15-9, +1.0

A 6th-inning, three-run homer spoiled an otherwise fantastic Luke Jackson outing. Jackson (2.55 ERA) allowed four other hits, walked none and struck out seven in six innings. More info on Jackson from Alan Blondin of The Sun News. Taylor Dennis (2 IP) and Francisco Mendoza (1 IP) both struck out two.

DH Rougned Odor (.299/.366/.451) was 2-3 with a double and walk, as was 2B Edwin Garcia. CF Chris Grayson doubled and singled.

Low-A: at Hickory 6, Hagerstown (WAS) 0
Record: 16-9, +2.5

CJ Edwards (1.83 ERA) carried a no-hitter into the 6th, leaving after 5.2 innings with one hit, three walks and nine strikeouts on his ledger. Opponents are hitting .186/.266/.231 against him. In 18 starts he's allowed 14 extra-base hits, none of them homers. Jose Monegro pitched 2.1 scoreless, and Jose Valdespina (6.59 ERA) handled the 9th in order with one strikeout.

CF Lewis Brinson (.231/.313/.428) hit his 16th homer, walked and stole his 14th base. 2B Ryan Rua singled and walked.

Short-A: at Spokane 2, Tri-City (COL) 1
Record: 18-15, -4.0, elimination number 4

Another day, another 2-1 victory. Kelvin Vasquez (3.91 ERA) fanned eight in six innings and allowed a run on four hits and a walk. John Straka (3.52 ERA) whiffed one in a scoreless 7th and 8th, and Keone Kela allowed two hits but closed out the 9th. RF Ryan Cordell (.267/.343/.367) doubled twice and singled, and 2B Janluis Castro (.226/.291/.292) singled twice.

Rookie: at Rangers 4, Royals 6
Record: 13-9, +1.5

Jairo Beras (.271/.314/.500) hit an inside-the-park homer. CF Jose Cardona singled twice. Starter Derek Thompson (2.63 ERA) struck out two and gave up four hits and a walk in 3.1 innings, leading to two runs.

Five Years Ago Yesterday
Nelson Cruz ranked 2nd in the PCL in OBP (.440), slugging (.671), homers (26), and RBI (74) behind Dustin McPherson, who was enjoying a Cruz-like season at high-altitude Albuquerque. Clinton's Blake Beavan walked an unheard-of four in five innings against Fort Wayne, which had 60 more walks than any other offense in the league. Beavan also struck out four and allowed only a run. Rehabbing Brandon McCarthy gave up a run on five hits, a walk, and three strikeouts. Johan Yan doubled but was within a 3-23 bog and down to .196/.308/.250 for the season. He would convert to the mound after the season.

Today's Starters
AAA: Alexi Ogando
AA: Neil Ramirez
Hi-A: Alec Asher
Lo-A: Luis Parra
Short-A: Chi-Chi Gonzalez
Rookie: Nick Gardewine

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

 

[fordman84]

Might have fewer prospects to write about by tomorrow.

Rangers Farm Report: Games of 7/18

Stars of the Day
AAA: Garcia
Hi-A: Asher, McElwee / Odor
Lo-A: Williams
Short-A: Garia, Jackson, Greene
Rookie: Bostick / Pinto, Cardona

AAA: at Round Rock 3, Iowa (CHC) 6
Record: 54-45, -2.0

Rehabbing Alexi Ogando completed seven innings on just 80 pitches (49 strikes), striking out two and yielding two runs on a homer, two other hits and a walk. Unlike previous rehab outings, Ogando's fastball immediately displayed impressive velocity, movement and location. It occasionally dipped below 90 but mostly ranged from 91 to 95. Both strike threes were called fastballs. His changeup arrived flat early but developed some drop later on.

I can't recall his slider ever looking worse. By my count, five rolled out of his hand and came in high -- too high to hit, fortunately. Another subpar offering landed in the left-field stands after scraping the stratosphere, courtesy of Donnie Murphy, and several more were too low and outside to induce a swing. A few did show their customary bite, but he never developed a feel for it. To his credit, he persisted in throwing a heavy dose of offspeed stuff even though the fastball was clearly his best pitch.

Despite the slider, on the whole I feel much better about his return to Arlington. He's not all the way back, but he does look like someone who can face Major League hitting.


Leury Garcia dazzled, going 2-3 with a solid double and walk, stealing his ninth base, advancing from first to third on a slow infield grounder, and making several impressive plays at short. The bottom five of the order combined for 19 hitless at-bats and two walks, one by Mike Olt after an 0-2 count.

Ex-Ranger Guillermo Moscoso threw somewhere around 400 pitches in his five innings but only gave up three runs.

AA: rain

"Wet grounds," specifically. Two today.

Rehabbing Joe Benson walked twice and singled for the rookies.

High-A: at Myrtle Beach 3, Wilmington (KC) 1
Record: 16-9, +2.0

In his best outing in two months, Alec Asher (3.29 ERA) surrendered a single run on a solo homer, three other hits and a walk in six innings while striking out seven. Josh McElwee (1.00 ERA) tossed a scoreless 7th and 8th. Rougned Odor(.304/.370/.454) was 3-4, and 1B Trever Adams and catcher Kellin Deglan singled twice.

Low-A: at Hickory 2, Hagerstown (WAS) 15
Record: 16-10, +1.5

Hickory allowed 28 runners. Luis Parra (4 IP, 8 H, 4 R) suffered the least among three pitchers. Nick Williams (.309/.351/.607) reached on two walks and a hit-by-pitch. Williams had drawn only nine walks in his previous 64 games.

Short-A: Spokane 3, at Hillsboro (ARI) 5
Record: 18-16, -4.0, elimination number 1

Chi-Chi Gonzalez (6.48 ERA) enjoyed his best start, yielding a run in three innings on two hits, no walks and two strikeouts. Eric Brooks (3.47 ERA) posted a nearly identical line, and Sam Wolff fanned the side in the 8th.

Catcher Marcus Greene (.269/.424/.373) hit a solo homer (his first) and singled, while DH Joe Jackson (.227/.346/.273) went 2-4 with a walk. Chris Garia (.267/.313/.437) was 3-5 with his 16th steal.

The Hillsboro Hopes are the relocated Yakima Bears.

Rookie: Rangers 3, at Giants 5
Record: 13-10, +0.5

Nick Gardewine (4.30 ERA) allowed three runs in 2.2 innings on two hits and two walks. He opened with two perfect innings before running into trouble. Akeem Bostick (4.38 ERA) fanned one and gave up a runs on four hits in 3.1 innings.

DH Eduard Pinto (.316/.316/.368) singled and doubled, and LF Jose Cardona (.313/.385/.434) was 2-3 with a walk and his fifth and sixth stolen bases.

Five Years Ago Yesterday
Taylor Teagarden became a Major Leaguer. Back in Oklahoma, Nelson Cruz hit his 27th homer and stole his 21st base. 20-year-old Neftali Feliz in Frisco, to quote myself: "All strikeouts to the first four batters. Three strikeouts among the last four batters. No hits until the 4th. No hits after the 4th. One batter over the minimum faced. Two walks immediately erased by double plays. Steady 96-97 on the gun."

Today's Starters
AAA: Scott Richmond
AA: Neil Ramirez / Carlos Pimentel
Hi-A: Victor Payano
Lo-A: Connor Sadzeck
Short-A: Kyle Castro
Rookie: Jose Samayoa

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

 

[fordman84]

Texas didn't bench anyone rumored in trade yesterday. At about 5pm, when an announcement seemed imminent, ESPN's Jim Bowden reported via Twitter that Neil Ramirez had been scratched from his start in Corpus Christi. Almost immediately, Alex Vispoli, voice of the Riders, observed that Ramirez was engaging in his usual pre-start routine. Bowden also said Ramirez would be the "centerpiece" of the deal. If true, that would rather surprisingly eliminate both Olt and Sardinas, unless the Cubs hold a different opinion of those players. In any case, it's all rumors at present.

Rangers Farm Report: Games of 7/19

Stars of the Day
AAA: Richmond / Bianucci, Adduci
AA: Pimentel, Tufts / Martinez, Chiang, Strausborger, Buchholz, Alberto
Hi-A: Lamb / Sardinas, Cantwell, Grayson
Lo-A: Brinson, Guzman
Short-A: Slack, Sprenger / Triunfel
Rookie: none

AAA: at Round Rock 10, Iowa (CHC) 4
Record: 55-45, -2.0

1B Mike Bianucci and CF Jim Adduci hit two-run homers, their seventh and 12th, respectively. Bianucci also walked twice, and Adduci doubled and drove in four.

Bianucci has shown good patience this season and is surprisingly deft at first base. I doubt anyone ever described his outfield defense with that word. I'm not suggesting he's getting the call, just that he's progressed in areas where players are mostly settled by the time they turn 27. It's always nice to see.

Manny Ramirez and Mike Olt were 0-3 with a walk. Scott Richmond (5.82 ERA) gave up two earned runs in six innings.

AA (1): Frisco 11, at Corpus Christi (HOU) 5 (7 innings)
AA (2): Frisco 2, at Corpus Christi (HOU) 3 (7 innings)
Record: 12-16, -4.0

Neil Ramirez (3.68 ERA) started and finished rough. A walk and Rene Garcia homer dropped him in an immediate 2-0 hole. He retired ten of the next 13, four via strikeout. Then, a Max Stassi solo homer and four consecutive singles ended his evening. Ramirez walked two and allowed seven hits and five runs. Tyler Tufts stranded a couple of Ramirez runners and tossed 2.2 scoreless innings.

Hanser Alberto (.215/.256/.296) plated five on his fourth homer and single. CF Ryan Strausborger (.207/.266/.346) was 3-4 with his eighth homer, and 3B Alex Buchholz hit his 13th homer, singled and walked.

Carlos Pimentel stifled the Hooks for five innings on three hits, a walk and three strikeouts. Three unearned runs off Alex Claudio in the 6th sealed Frisco's fate. Teodoro Martinez was 2-3 with a double, as was Chih-Hsien Chiang.

High-A: at Myrtle Beach 10, Wilmington (KC) 6
Record: 17-9, +3.0

SS Luis Sardinas (.296/.354/.359) was 3-5 with his 25th steal, catcher Pat Cantwell (.256/.330/.321) had four singles, and LF Chris Grayson (.219/.318/.307) singled, walked twice and stole bases 15 and 16.

The travails of Victor Payano continued, as he walked three, threw two wild pitches and allowed eight hits and six runs in 4.1 innings. Payano has a 15.63 ERA in five starts since the All-Star break. Will Lamb (4.86 ERA) fanned four in two scoreless innings.

Low-A: at Hickory 2, Hagerstown (WAS) 8
Record: 16-11, +1.0

A wild Connor Sadzeck (2.64 ERA) walked four and threw two wild pitches in 5.1 inning, allowing six runs on five hits with just one strikeout. Sadzeck has registered only two strikeouts in his last three starts.

Lewis Brinson (.231/.312/.432) hit a solo homer, his 17th, and 1B Ronald Guzman (.289/.335/.401) was 2-3 with a double and walk. Guzman has slumped lately, at least statistically. He's still making contact, just not to open parts of the field.

Short-A: Spokane 2, at Hillsboro (ARI) 7
Record: 18-17, -4.0, eliminated from 1st half title chase

A wilder Kyle Castro (10.71 ERA) retired only six of 15 batters, walking five, hitting one and unleashing a wild pitch. He allowed three hits and six runs while striking out three. Ryne Slack (3 IP, 1 BB, 5 SO) and Justin Sprenger (2 IP, 1 H) calmed the waters.

SS Alberto Triunfel (.224/.306/.364) doubled twice, and 2B Evan Van Hoosier (.283/.356/.491) singled and doubled.

Rookie: at Rangers 3, Giants 12
Record: 13-11, +0.5

Los Gigantes hammered Jose Samayoa (3.1 IP, 4 R), Ryan Ledbetter (0.2 IP, 3 R) and John Kukuruda (1.1 IP, 5 R). RF Jairo Beras (.273/.322/.491) doubled and was hit by a pitch. Travis Demeritte (.241/.370/.398) is within his first professional slump, garnering just one hit with 11 strikeouts in his last seven games. He's also drawn seven walks in that span, so he's not up there hacking.

Five Years Ago Yesterday
Oklahoma's Nelson Cruz reached 30 homers on shots in the 1st, 5th and 7th. Converted outfielder Brian Gordon struck out six and allowed a run in six innings. Bakersfield's Derek Holland whiffed nine in eight one-run innings, and teammate Marcus Lemon smacked three doubles.

Today's Starters
AAA: Jake Brigham
AA: Nick McBride
Hi-A: Nick Martinez
Lo-A: Frank Lopez
Short-A: Yohander Mendez
Rookie: off

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

 

[fordman84]

Rangers Farm Report: Games of 7/20

Stars of the Day
AAA: Brigham / Adduci, Hoying, Olt
AA: Van Meter / Nicholas
Hi-A: Martinez / offense
Lo-A: Leclerc / Williams, Vickerson, Guzman
Short-A: De la Cruz / Jackson

AAA: at Round Rock 5, Iowa (CHC) 2
Record: 56-45, -1.0

Mike Olt (.239/.344/.477 since his return) hit a three-run homer, his 10th. Both RF Jared Hoying and CF Jim Adduci were 2-3 with a walk, including Hoying's triple. Adduci swiped two bags, Hoying one.

Jake Brigham (3.88 ERA) was more runner-prone this time, allowing nine hits (all but one a single) and two walks in 6.1 innings, but only two scored. He struck out two. Wilmer Font entered with one out and the bases loaded in the 7th and induced a 1-6-3 double-play grounder. Font loaded the bases in the 8th but escaped unharmed.

Round Rock turned its first triple play at the AAA level, Olt-to-Solarte-to-McGuiness on a Jae-Hoon Ha grounder.

AA: Frisco 1, at Corpus Christi (HOU) 9
Record: 12-17, -5.0

The Hooks pummeled Nick McBride (6.26 ERA): six runs, on six hits and three walks in just three innings. Joe Van Meter (3.00 ERA) produced three scoreless innings with two strikeouts. Brett Nicholas (2-3, double, walk) led a weak offense.

High-A: at Myrtle Beach 11, Wilmington (KC) 3
Record: 18-9, +3.0

The Pelicans put 25 runners on base, and everybody reached safely at least twice. Victimized most was Kansas City's John Lamb, a former top 50 prospect whose fastball has yet to recover following Tommy John surgery in 2011. Reliever Tyler Sample walked four and threw four wild pitches in just 1.1 innings.

SS Luis Sardinas was 3-4 with a double, walk, HBP and his 26th steal. He's batting .368/.460/.453 in 24 games since the All-Star break. CF Jake Skole (.271/.386/.471 since the break) doubled twice and walked. Catcher Kellin Deglan (.228/.327/.397) reached on two HBPs and a walk. LF Trever Adams was 3-5, and RF Preston Beck (.227/.324/.313) walked twice and singled.

Nick Martinez (3.11 ERA) had no trouble with the Blue Rock batters, yielding a run on three hits and a walk in six innings while striking out six. Martinez's opposing slugging percentage has dropped from .405 in 2012 at Hickory to .333 this season. Some of that is park-related, but he's also pitching against tougher opposition.

Low-A: at Hickory 5, Charleston (NYY) 9
Record: 16-12, +2.0

The RiverDogs tallied seven runs on Frank Lopez (6.82 ERA) on five hits and five walks in 3.2 innings. Lopez also fanned five. He's allowed more than two runners per inning over his last six starts. Cody Kendall didn't allow a run in 2.1 innings but surrendered a bases-loaded double after replacing Lopez. Jose Valdespina (6.67 ERA) walked three and struck out two in a one-run 8th. Jose Leclerc (4.01 ERA) gave up a legitimately unearned run and whiffed three in two innings.

LF Nick Williams (.315/.355/.607) was 2-5 with a double, and 1B Ronald Guzman (.299/.344/.415) went 3-5 with a double. 3B Nick Vickerson walked twice and singled.

Alan Blondin of The Sun News has a nice article about reliever Will Lamb.

Short-A: Spokane 4, at Hillsboro (ARI) 2
Record: 19-17, -4.0, eliminated

Spokane dug a 2-0 hole after three batters but held firm afterwards. After an early triple and homer, Yohander Mendez (2.35 ERA) pitched through the 4th and allowed two more hits, walked two and struck out three. Alex de la Cruz (0.46 ERA) posted three scoreless innings with three hits and three strikeouts. DH Joe Jackson (.250/.364/.321) was 2-4 with a double.

Rookie: off

Texas released undrafted IF Roberto Duran (.086/.135/.086 in 13 short-season games) and 26-year-old RHP Tim Kennelly, who made two brief appearances with the rookies.

Five Years Ago Yesterday
In a 13-4 loss, Clinton's Mitch Moreland pitched the 9th inning and struck out the side around a single. Moreland also had three hits. Completing a different, suspended game, Ryan Tatusko threw seven scoreless innings and OF Tim Smith hit a walk-off single in the 15th. Oklahoma's Nelson Cruz hit his 31st homer.

Today's Starters
AAA: Evan Meek
AA: Kevin Pucetas
Hi-A: Jerad Eickhoff
Lo-A: Andrew Faulkner
Short-A: Collin Wiles
Rookie: Kevin Sosa

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

 

[pegasusredleg]

Thanks for posting this thread and keeping it up to date.

 

[Windingmywatch]

Ford and I haven't posted the daily Scott Lucas emails in awhile ... wasn't much conversation about them so decided to let it go unless there are many more folks here since the ESPN demise who do not get Jamey's daily email and Scott Lucas' Farm Report too.

In any case ... Scott had a one liner that caught my attention this morning:

"Neftali Feliz allowed a Robinzon Diaz infield single and struck out Hunter Morris in a scoreless 8th with AAA Round Rock."

And here I thought he'd been shutdown for the year ...

 

[Xx srs bsns xX]

And here I thought he'd been shutdown for the year ...

He's the only one of the "big 3" that hasnt been shutdown yet....

 

[HammerDown]