The minor league system is hopping for the Texas Rangers right now. Development of the pitchers and hitter is on track and it should be a great season for the Rangers minor league development.
Here is our second look at how the system fared in 2022.
The Round Rock Express
The Express had a very successful week. They finished out Sunday with a overall record of 8-4, taking 5 out of 6 from Sugar Land.
Pitching wise Glenn Otto has yet to give up a run in seven innings, and Cole Winn has an ERA of 1.13 in eight innings pitched.
Jake Latz also has looked really good with a record of 2-1 and a 2.40 ERA in 15 innings pitched, and A.J. Alexy has a 5.14 ERA with a strikeout per inning.
Bubba Thompson (.391 batting average) and Leody Taveras (.432 batting average) have led this potent offense so far. As a team they are averaging 4.83 runs per game.
I happen to believe that some of those names mentioned above will be in Arlington before the end of the 2022 season.
Frisco RoughRiders
Now the AA affiliate of the Texas Rangers are really doing well. They have begun the season with a 8-1 record. They just finished sweeping a six game series from the Missions.
Starters Cody Bradford (3.86 ERA, 8 k’s), Jack Leiter (2.57 ERA, 11 k’s) and Cole Ragans (1.17 ERA, 11 k’s) have been really good. Avery Weems and Zak Kent struggled a bit in their first AA start, but I believe that they will also come around eventually.
On the offensive side Blaine Crim continues to hit (.367/.412/.467), Josh Stowers and Jonathan Ornelas are both batting above .300. Dustin Harris (.258) is struggling a bit with 10 strikeouts so far, but I have faith in him as well. You can’t argue with an 8-1 start.
Hickory Crawdads
The Crawdads have begun the season with a 3-6 record. At this level it is all about development more than results.
Don’t get me wrong, these guys really want to win. Here are some performers so far in high A:
Mason Englert (7.88 ERA) has struck out seven through eight innings so far for Hickory. T.K. Roby (9.00 ERA) has punched out nine in eight innings. Owen White (2.25 ERA) has sat down 11 via the strikeout in 8 innings.
While the record does not show it, the Crawdads have 5 players with a batting average over .300 in the first 9 games. That list includes Even Carter and Keyber Rodriguez.
Aaron Zavala is showing some incredible patience with 11 walks in his first eight games, and Trevor Hauver has ten free passes in just six games.
Down East Wood Ducks
The Woodies are also 3-6 in their first 9. Josh Stephan (1-0, 2.00 ERA) has struck out 10 in 9 innings of work.
Larson Kindreich (0-0, 1.50 ERA) has struck out 11 in only 6 innings pitched so far.
On the offensive side Low A is a group of very young players and their batting averages are all over the board. Jose Acosta, Brady Smith and Maximo Acosta are players to keep an eye on at this level.
We will try and do these updates weekly during the season while highlighting certain players and coaches as the season progresses. We hope you enjoy these updates. Stay tuned to the site and the Podcast for more information about the minor league system for the Texas Rangers!
