Month: August 2024

Box Scores

AAA: Round Rock 3, Oklahoma City (LAD) 4
Round Rock: 4 hits, 5 walks, 16 strikeouts
Opponent: 8 hits, 4 walks, 12 strikeouts
Record: 27-27, 5 GB, 64-64 overall

SP Gerson Garabito: 3.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 4 SO, 76 P / 51 S, 3.42 ERA
RP Marc Church: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 SO, 2.92 ERA

Marc Church threw eight sliders out of ten pitches, unusual for him, and missed two bats. Although the slider has been his action pitch, he’s relied more on the fastball. As for the possibility of an MLB debut, to repeat last night’s phrase, that would take some doing. While Church is on the 40, the upcoming 28-man roster limit affords only one more pitcher who should be Jack Leiter at some point if not imminently. At least one of the currently IL-ed pitchers should also be back before long.

AA: Frisco 4, @ NW Arkansas (KAN) 9
Frisco: 6 hits, 3 walks, 10 strikeouts
Opponent: 10 hits, 8 walks, 6 strikeouts
Record: 31-24, 2 GB, 75-49 overall

SP Nick Krauth: 4.1 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 2 SO, 87 P / 57 S, 5.91 ERA
LF Josh Hatcher: 2-4, HR (10), .292/.343/.428

Innings 1-2: four extra-base hits, four runs
Innings 3-9: two baserunners, no runs

Cody Freeman and Tucker Mitchell tripled. Entering the season, Mitchell (2021, 14th round) had always hit well enough to moonlight at first and DH when not catching, but 2024 has been a challenge. He (and all his teammates) struggled in the early going at Hickory, and he’s hitting .114/.235/.182 since his promotion to AA three weeks ago. Of 550 batters with at least 50 plate appearances in AA, Mitchell’s .152 average on contact is tied for last. I would assume at least a little bad luck.

Hi-A: Hickory 3, @ Asheville (HOU) 4
Hickory: 7 hits, 5 walks, 15 strikeouts
Opponent: 7 hits, 2 walks, 14 strikeouts
Record: 30-28, 8.5 GB, 58-66 overall, eliminated

SP Brayan Mendoza: 4.1 IP, 4 H (2 HR), 3 R, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 6 SO, 75 P / 53 S, 6.23 ERA
RP Ryan Lobus: 3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 SO, 3.31 ERA
RP Bryan Magdaleno: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 SO, 0.00 ERA
SS Cam Cauley: 1-4, BB, 2 SB (24), .225/.288/.396
C Malcolm Moore: 2-5, SB (3), .156/.250/.281
LF Yosy Galan: 1-3, 3B, 2 BB, .181/.279/.330

Brayan Mendoza survived his debut in the league’s toughest hitting park. Righty batter Oliver Carrillo tends to pull but knocked one out to center and another over the short fence in right. The 20-year-old Mendoza posted a 2.18 ERA with a 9% BB/HBP rate and 26% strikeout rate in 90 low-A innings. Ryan Lobus missed seven bats out of 16 swings.

Combined with yet another win by Bowling Green, Hickory is eliminated from postseason contention as best as I can tell. The official page lists an elimination number of two, but Bowling Green has three missing games, two of which definitely won’t be made up, and those absences favor the leading team.

Lo-A: Down East 6, @ Myrtle Beach (CHC) 7
Down East: 12 hits, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts
Opponent: 9 hits, 5 walks, 5 strikeouts
Record: 27-27, 5 GB, 62-57 overall, elimination number 4

SP Caden Scarborough: 2.1 IP, 3 H (1 HR), 3 R, 3 BB, 1 SO, 46 P / 27 S, 11.57 ERA
LF Jose De Jesus: 1-3, BB, .287/.351/.299
SS Echedry Vargas: 2-5, .277/.321/.455
CF Yeremi Cabrera: 2-3, 3B, BB, SB (7), .191/.295/.265
2B Chandler Pollard: 2-4, 2B, SB (37), .244/.321/.336

Caden Scarborough’s full-season debut proceeded swimmingly for two innings, but he walked two of his first three opponents in the 3rd, received a pep talk, and then surrendered a homer on the next pitch. Last year’s sixth-rounder hasn’t pitched much in real games, never taking the mound in 2023 (typical for younger picks) and making only four appearances totaling six innings in Arizona. Older reports suggest a low-90s fastball with some hope for higher, a curve, and a change. I did see what appeared to be sliders as well, but maybe those are Rocker-like hard curves with tail. I can’t trust my eyes anymore.

Today’s Starters
AAA: Solomon
AA: Rodriguez
Hi-A: McCarty
Lo-A: TBA x 2 (Curtis / ???)

Five Years Ago Yesterday
The Rangers won the Arizona League championship, completing the two-game sweep over Cleveland by a score of 7-2. RF Heriberto Hernandez homered and doubled, and 2B Oslevis Basabe walked and stole a base.

I added regular and slow-motion video of swinging strikes from Kumar Rocker with the fastball, curve, and change. Here’s yesterday’s video of all the swinging strikes and balls in play from the 2nd onward.

Box Scores

AAA: Round Rock 3, Oklahoma City (LAD) 1
Round Rock: 8 hits, 4 walks, 5 strikeouts
Opponent: 6 hits, 7 walks, 10 strikeouts
Record: 27-26, 4 GB, 64-63 overall

SP Ryan Garcia: 5 IP, 4 H (1 HR), 1 R, 3 BB, 5 SO, 85 P / 49 S, 2.28 ERA
RP Robby Ahlstrom: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 SO, 4.22 ERA
2B Justin Foscue: 2-4, HR (9), .279/.419/.483
1B Blaine Crim: 1-3, HR (17), BB, .279/.375/.467
RF Trevor Hauver: 2-3, BB, .215/.323/.357

I ignored Blaine Crim Wednesday night because of the Rocker display and lack of time, so now I’ll give him his due. He’s as locked in as ever, batting .385/.462/.658 since July 1. Maybe those stats include some luck, but that would compensate for his disappointing May and June when he was still hitting the ball reasonably hard but right at people. On Wednesday, he hit three balls in excess of 106 MPH, two of which left the yard, one off rehabbing Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The other was lined to left for a single. He also check-swung an 0-2 pitch through the short-third gap at 88 MPH.

My explanation in 2023 was if he could be transported back to 2021 or 2022, he likely would have received a call-up on the poor Rangers squads, like Curtis Terry did. In 2023, on a squad clawing for every win, someone like Crim wasn’t going to get a look. Then, this season, he was hitting .215/.323/.351 through June. Now, he’s having the best two months of his life, and the Rangers are eight games under .500. September, perhaps?

To whatever extent Crim is forcing the issue, fitting him in a Texas uniform will take some doing. He’s a first baseman, period. The Rangers still have Nate Lowe. I would think 2020 first-rounder Justin Foscue is first in line for any extra September plate appearances. And, of course, Crim would require a 40 spot at someone’s expense, and the new CBA limits the active roster to 28 players. The days of wholesale call-ups are over. I understood and agreed with lowering the September active roster from 40, but I’m surprised the union acquiesced to 28.

Ryan Garcia continues to impress in Round Rock. I regret to say I haven’t been able to see him in person, but maybe I’ll have one more chance. The 2019 2nd-rounder can push the fastball and sinker up to 94 but tends to sit 91, and he lacks the Cody Bradford-type extension that would help that velocity play up. What he does, seemingly, is make the right pitch at the right time. He missed a modest six bats last night, but four completed strikeouts. He also induced several easy high flies.

AA: Frisco 8, @ NW Arkansas (KAN) 5
Frisco: 12 hits, 6 walks, 6 strikeouts
Opponent: 8 hits, 4 walks, 8 strikeouts
Record: 31-23, 1 GB, 75-48 overall

SP Mitch Bratt: 6 IP, 5 H (1 HR), 4 R, 2 BB, 5 SO, 87 P / 56 S, 4.38 ERA
RP Skylar Hales: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO, 2.74 ERA
CF Alejandro Osuna: 2-5, HR (5), .308/.389/.511
2B Max Acosta: 1-3, 2B, BB, HBP, .269/.332/.380
3B Cody Freeman: 2-5, 2 2B, .267/.325/.447
RF Abi Ortiz: 2-4, BB, .235/.320/.399
SS Keyber Rodriguez: 1-4, HR (7), BB, .236/.284/.370

Keyber Rodriguez hit an 8th-inning grand slam to reverse a two-run deficit. AA has tested his on=base ability (.298 OBP) but he’s hit ten homers and 28 other extra-base hits in 121 games at the level across two seasons. I believe he can become a free agent after the season. 21-year-old Alejandro Osuna continues to hit better than ever in his toughest assignment.

Hi-A: Hickory 1, @ Asheville (HOU) 6
Hickory: 4 hits, 2 walks, 7 strikeouts
Opponent: 10 hits, 2 walks, 9 strikeouts
Record: 30-27, 7.5 GB, 58-65 overall, elimination number 2

SP Alejandro Rosario: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 6 SO, 81 P / 57 S, 2.40 ERA
SS Sebastian Walcott: 1-3, 2B, SB (24), .259/.346/.433

In his penultimate Hickory start, Alejandro Rosario did what he’s been doing all season. If you’re able, please check out Baseball America’s “These 10 Pitching Prospects Emerged As Unlikely Breakouts In 2024.” Three are Rangers. Three! Rosario, Kohl Drake, and Ryan Lobus. Rosario’s 129 strikeouts rank second in the system behind Drake with 137, and Lobus is fourth with 121.

Bowling Green won a third straight against Greenville (the one team with a legitimate chance at knocking off BG) to push Hickory to the brink of elimination.

Lo-A: Down East 2, @ Myrtle Beach (CHC) 1
Down East: 8 hits, 2 walks, 8 strikeouts
Opponent: 5 hits, 4 walks, 4 strikeouts
Record: 27-26, 6 GB, 62-56 overall, elimination number 5

SP Kyle Larsen: 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 SO, 67 P / 41 S, 5.66 ERA
RP Victor Simeon: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 SO, 1.77 ERA
CF Jose De Jesus: 2-4, 2B, .286/.348/.298
2B Casey Cook: 1-2, BB, SB (2), .212/.323/.250

I was going to say Kyle Larsen’s outing hearkened to a different era, but no such era exists. In MLB history, only six starting pitchers have matched Kyle Larsen’s line of 7-2-0-2-1, most recently Dave Steib in 1989. Larsen’s per-inning pitch counts were 11, 6, 11, 14, 6, 8, and 11.

Today’s Starters
AAA: Garabito
AA: Krauth
Hi-A: Tiger
Lo-A: Scarborough

Five Years Ago Yesterday
The baby Rangers defeated Cleveland 10-0 in the opener of the rookie league finals. For the first time in at least a dozen years and probably ever, the league scheduled a best-of-three championship instead of a one-and-done, as I discovered a few minutes after posting a message about the Rangers winning it all. Whoops. Hickory clinched its first playoff berth since 2015. Ronny Henriquez fanned seven in six innings in a 5-1 victory.

Video of Kumar Rocker from me and from the Rangers.

Box Scores

AAA: Round Rock 4, Oklahoma City (LAD) 3 (10)
Round Rock: 7 hits, 2 walks, 12 strikeouts
Opponent: 6 hits, 4 walks, 18 strikeouts
Record: 26-26, 5 GB, 63-63 overall

SP Kumar Rocker: 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 10 SO, 67 P / 44 S, 0.00 ERA
RP Daniel Robert: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO, 2.16 ERA
1B Blaine Crim: 4-4, 2 HR, (16), .279/.374/.461
RF Kellen Strahm: 2-4, 2B, SB (7), .266/.372/.342

Two weeks ago, I declared Jack Leiter’s outing the most dominant minor league pitching performance I’d ever seen in person*. That’s still true, but if I hadn’t visited the park that night, the top place would belong to Kumar Rocker. Rocker wasn’t quite as absurdly unhittable, with a swinging strike rate of “only” 22% of all pitches and 43% of swings compared to Leiter’s respective figures of 34% and 62%. That said, even while watching Leiter mow through hitters like never before, his history of inconsistency had me wondering “how long will this last?” Conversely, watching Rocker, I felt like he could last forever. He was never not in control. Okay, he did start two batters 3-0 in the 3rd, but he always had a strike when needed.

Rocker’s induced vertical break on his four-seamer honestly wasn’t anything special, averaging 12.5″. (Leiter’s AAA average is 16.8″ and includes some starts at altitude which dampens IVB.) Rocker instead imparted much more horizontal movement than typical, and he added a sinker with an average run that exceeds every Express pitcher in 2024 except Jonathan Hernandez. All that to say, he was throwing two fastballs in the upper 90s with huge movement and controlling them. Last night, opponents missed a relatively low three out of out 19 swings, but fouls were three times more common than balls in play.

Rocker’s breaker averaged 85.3 MPH. The average PCL slider is 83.7, and Rocker’s vertical break sat halfway between the average PCL slider and curve, so Statcast understandably called it a slider, but it’s a curve. Not only did it not sweep much (never more than 4″), but it occasionally snuck back to the arm side. OKC swung at 14: one in play, two fouls, 11 misses.

He added five changeups, generating one more miss. He hasn’t thrown it much, maybe in part because he hasn’t needed to, but it’s a potentially worthy pitch with the kind of run you’d expect given what he can do with his fastballs, and the spin is down into splitter range.

In six starts in AA/AAA, opponents are hitting .119/.149/.167 with a 3% walk rate and 45% strikeout rate. I’ve been doing this for 17 years, and nobody I’ve ever covered has pitched like this over a comparable span at the upper levels.

There’s more to discuss but I’m low on time and will leave that to tomorrow.

* Just to be clear, I mean most dominant by a prospect at a reasonable level, so I’m ignoring Jacob deGrom from Tuesday, Yu Darvish rehabbing in Round Rock, AA-AAA relievers throwing live BP against teenagers in Surprise, etc.

AA: Frisco 6, @ NW Arkansas (KAN) 5
Frisco: 10 hits, 5 walks, 9 strikeouts
Opponent: 7 hits, 4 walks, 9 strikeouts
Record: 30-23, 1 GB, 74-48 overall

SP Winston Santos: 5 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 3 BB, 6 SO, 89 P / 53 S, 5.75 ERA
RP Dane Acker: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO, 3.30 ERA
RP Jackson Kelley: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 SO, 3.65 ERA
CF Alejandro Osuna: 2-4, BB, .305/.389/.497
DH Abi Ortiz: 1-3, HR (13), 2 BB, .232/.316/.398

Winston Santos is slowly finding his way in AA. His rates on walk (7%) and strikeout (26%) are swell, and he’s dominated a couple of times, but in others he’s fought something, usually homers or hit batters. Last night included more walks than usual plus two balks and a wild pitch.

I would assume Dane Acker’s downshift to relief is workload-related. Covid and injuries have greatly limited his output. Last year’s 67 innings are his maximum since 2018.

Hi-A: Hickory 11, @ Asheville (HOU) 9
Hickory: 9 hits, 9 walks, 10 strikeouts
Opponent: 11 hits, 5 walks, 11 strikeouts
Record: 30-26, 6.5 GB, 58-64 overall, elimination number 4

SP Paul Bonzagni: 4 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 7 SO, 79 P / 53 S, 3.98 ERA
CF Dylan Dreiling: 0-3, 3 BB, SB (5), .182/.348/.236
SS Cam Cauley: 2-6, HR (11), .228/.290/.402
C Malcolm Moore: 1-4, HR (2), BB, SB (2), .143/.238/.286
DH Gleider Figuereo: 3-4, 2B, BB, .213/.267/.396

Hickory scored four before the Tourists batted and led 11-4 at the halfway point but had to face down the tying run at the plate in the 9th. Sebastian Walcott (1-6) hit a bases-loaded triple.

Hickory can finish at .500 with eight wins in the final ten. Because of 46-68 record in 2021 despite a run differential of only -14, the Crawdads are assured of a losing record during their four years in high-A.

Lo-A: Down East 0, @ Myrtle Beach (CHC) 3
Down East: 3 hits, 1 walk, 13 strikeouts
Opponent: 3 hits, 0 walks, 12 strikeouts
Record: 26-26, 7 GB, 61-56 overall, elimination number 5

SP Josh Trentadue: 5 IP, 3 H (1 HR), 3 R, 0 BB, 8 SO, 63 P / 43 S, 4.54 ERA
RP Jose Gonzalez: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 SO, 2.26 ERA
RF Yeremi Cabrera: 2-3, 2 SB (6), .180/.286/.230

A two-run homer in the 1st would provide all the offense Myrtle Beach needed. A pity, as Josh Trentadue and Jose Gonzalez combined for 12 strikeouts and no walks. Yeremi Caberera and Jose De Jesus managed to reach and steal three bases between them in the 8th, but they were stranded in scoring position.

Today’s Starters
AAA: Garcia
AA: Bratt
Hi-A: Rosario
Lo-A: TBA (Larsen)

Five Years Ago Yesterday
Cole Winn’s last full start of 2019 would be his best: 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 SO. Unfortunately, the negatives of what would be recycled for 2022-23: “One issue for Winn has been a relatively high number of pitches far off the plate or bouncing two feet in front of it. I don’t mean swing-inducing “waste” pitches. These are simply non-functional. Last night, they were almost totally absent. Instead of a perpetually searching for rhythm, Winn threw with ease and purpose. Highly encouraging.”

Box Scores

AAA: Round Rock 1, Oklahoma City (LAD) 13
Round Rock: 4 hits, 3 walks, 10 strikeouts
Opponent: 14 hits, 2 walks, 8 strikeouts
Record: 25-26, , 62-63 overall

SP Jacob deGrom: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO, 24 P / 16 S, 0.00 ERA
RP Josh Sborz: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 SO, 7.04 ERA

Scouting report: Jacob deGrom is better than everyone else.

In his second rehab appearance, deGrom faced and retired six OKC batters sporting an average slash of .293/.379/.521. A befuddled Statcast classified his slider as a cutter and changeup as a sinker because neither dipped below 90 MPH. DeGrom did allow a deep fly to Ryan Ward that might have squeaked over the fence under ideal conditions, but CF Kellen Strahm tracked it down. After two quick innings, he headed to the bullpen to complete his work.

Josh Sborz was also effective. The fastball remains down from 2023, but at this point I’m assuming that’s just who he’s going to be for the duration of 2024.

The first 4.5 innings were completed with one run apiece in just 68 minutes. The Baseball Club would score seven two-out runs in the 7th.

AA: Frisco 6, @ NW Arkansas (KAN) 1
Frisco: 9 hits, 3 walks, 11 strikeouts
Opponent: 2 hits, 4 walks, 10 strikeouts
Record: 29-23, 2 GB, 73-48 overall

SP Ben Anderson: 5 IP, 1 H (1 HR), 1 R, 3 BB, 5 SO, 83 P / 47 S, 3.90 ERA
RP Skylar Hales: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO, 2.86 ERA
SS Max Acosta: 2-4, 2B, .268/.327/.379
3B Cody Freeman: 2-4, 2B, BB, SB (14), .266/.325/.446
1B Abimelec Ortiz: 1-4, HR (12), .231/.313/.390

The Max Acosta playbook: Every year, he hits around .260/.325/.375. Every offseason, he slides a little lower in the prospects rankings. Every March, I think he might repeat the same level for a while. Every April, he’s promoted and hits around .260/.325/.375. He was omitted form the 40 last year and I’m not expecting an addition in November, but he is the type who could find himself in an MLB uniform someday.

With four games to play in August, Abi Ortiz has his most hits (22), homers (4), and walks (12) of any month. Of note, Ortiz has never hit well on the road, and in 2024 he’s struggled against lefties for the first time.

Midland defeated San Antonio and owns a 7.5-game lead for the second playoff spot with 17 to play. Frisco and Midland have the second and fourth-best records in all of AA, respectively.

Hi-A: Hickory 7, @ Asheville (HOU) 0
Hickory: 12 hits, 5 walks, 10 strikeouts
Opponent: 5 hits, 1 walk, 7 strikeouts
Record: 29-26, 6.5 GB, 57-64 overall, elimination number 5

SP Aidan Curry: 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 HBP, 3 SO, 76 P / 47 S, 6.50 ERA
RP Damian Mendoza: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 SO, 5.14 ERA
RP Josh Mollerus: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO, 4.95 ERA
SS Sebastian Walcott: 3-4, 2 2B, BB, SB (23), .260/.347/.430
2B Cam Cauley: 1-4, 3B, BB, SB (22), .226/.289/.395
1B Arturo Disla: 2-5, HR (7), .272/.333/.580
RF Yeison Morrobel: 4-5, 2B, HR (8), .210/.287/.315
3B Gleider Figuereo: 2-3, 2B, BB, .200/.251/.381

Sebastian Walcott had a ghastly first two series and needed about six weeks to acclimate to his aggressive assignment. Since then he’s been remarkably steady, with no 20-game stretch worse than .250/.318/.382, which is still better than the league average OPS.

Yeison Morrobel has ten hits in his last six games (.435/.458/.870). He had nine in the previous 30 (.092/.200/.122). Whatever hitting coach Drew Sannes said to him, please say it to me.

Lo-A: Down East 13, Myrtle Beach (CHC) 0 (7)
Down East: 17 hits, 5 walks, 10 strikeouts
Opponent: 3 hits, 4 walks, 10 strikeouts

SP Brayan Mendoza: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 SO, 38 P / 23 S, 2.35 ERA
RP Ivan Oviedo: 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 HBP, 6 SO, 2.60 ERA
RP Justin Sanchez: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 SO, 4.86 ERA
CF Jose De Jesus: 2-4, BB, .286/.337/.286
SS Echedry Vargas: 2-5
2B Casey Cook: 1-3, 2B, BB, HBP, .217/.315/.261
C Julian Brock: 4-4, HR (7), .258/.329/.393
DH Pablo Guerrero: 2-4, .265/.293/.353
1B Ben Hartl: 1-1, BB, .318/.528/.455
1B Marcos Torres: 2-2

Down East led 8-0 when rain halted the contest in Kinston just over two weeks ago, and both sides resumed in the same style. The Woodies immediately added two runs in the 3rd, while the Pelicans could only reach base by waiting for Ivan Oviedo to hit or walk them. 14th-round C/1B Ben Hartl is on the IL and didn’t play last night. 7th-round 3B Rafe Perich (1-1, BB) also hasn’t played in several days.

Lo-A: Down East 2, @ Myrtle Beach (CHC) 1 (7)
Down East: 9 hits, 0 walks, 5 strikeouts
Opponent: 4 hits, 1 walk, 7 strikeouts
Record: 26-25, 6 GB, 61-55 overall, elimination number 6

SP Thomas Ireland: 4.1 IP, 3 H (1 HR), 1 R, 1 BB, 2 HBP, 4 SO, 79 P / 51 S, 2.37 ERA
RP Joey Danielson: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO, 0.00 ERA
RP Victor Simeon: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO, 1.82 ERA
SS Echedry Vargas: 2-4, SB (27), .281/.327/.466
RF Marcos Torres: 2-3, .177/.275/.305

Echedry Vargas reached on a strikeout in the 1st and scored, and he singled home the deciding run in the 5th. He was also caught twice on the bases.

Division-leading Fredericksburg also won.

DSL: Rangers lose best-of-three semifinal to Red Sox by scores of 6-7 and 1-10

SP1 Oscar Romero: 2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 1 K
SP2 Christopher Hernandez: 1 IP, 1 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 0 SO
RP Jesus Delgado: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 SO
2B Daniel Flames: 4-7, 2B, 2 BB
3B Michael Guzman: 3-6, 2B, 2 BB, SB
DH Deward Tovar: 2-6, 2B, 2 BB

The Rangers trailed 5-0 in the opener but took the lead in the 9th on pinch-hitter Sebastian Baquera’s single which brought home Michael Guzman. The Red Sox scored twice in the bottom half in classic low-level style: infield single, fielder’s choice with no out, sac fly, walk, walk, sac fly. The Red Sox quickly took and maintained a large Game 2 lead. CF Paulino Santana had a painful postseason: 0-22 with one walk and seven strikeouts. he’d been hitting fine and reaching base at a preposterous rate up until a week ago.

Today’s Starters
AAA: Rocker
AA: Santos
Hi-A: Bonzagni
Lo-A: TBA (Gonzalez and Trentadue, maybe)

Five Years Ago Yesterday
The Rangers defeated the Dodgers 5-3 in the Arizona League’s one-game quarterfinal. DH Davis Wendzel was 3-3 with a double and walk, and RF Heriberto Hernandez was 2-3 with a walk.

Box Scores

AAA: Round Rock 4, @ Salt Lake (LAA) 14
Round Rock: 7 hits, 4 walks, 7 strikeouts
Opponent: 20 hits, 3 walks, 8 strikeouts
Record: 25-25, 5 GB, 62-62 overall

SP Chase Anderson: 4 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 4 SO, 76 P / 47 S, 6.94 ERA
RP Marc Church: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO, 2.61 ERA
RP Owen White: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO, 5.52 ERA
CF Sandro Fabian: 1-4, HR (17), .278/.353/.476
2B Justin Foscue: 1-5, HR (8), .286/.429/.484
1B Blaine Crim: 1-5, HR (14), .272/.370/.441

The opposition swung at six Owen White sliders and missed four, all in-zone. If White is affixed to a relief role in the long run, he really needs one of his offerings to miss more bats, and the slider is most likely. Both his four and two-seamers generate below-average whiff rates.

Blake Taylor (0.1 IP, 5 R) and Reid Birlingmair (0.0 IP, 6 R) will not be sending you a postcard from the Beehive State.

Unofficially, Jake deGrom is scheduled to pitch on Tuesday in Round Rock, and Kumar Rocker will make his AAA debut on Wednesday. Pitching for OKC Wednesday will be rehabbing Dodger Yoshinobu Yamamoto. If you haven’t visited the Dell Diamond, the next two nights are beckoning.

AA: Frisco 6, San Antonio (SDP) 3
Frisco: 8 hits, 4 walks, 6 strikeouts
Opponent: 6 hits, 2 walks, 10 strikeouts
Record: 28-23, 2 GB, 72-48 overall

SP Kohl Drake: 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 SO, 78 P / 49 S, 4.91 ERA
2B Max Acosta: 1-2, 2 BB, SB (25), .265/.324/.375
3B Cody Freeman: 2-3, HBP, SB (13), .264/.322/.443
RF Abimelec Ortiz: 3-4, 2B, HR (11), .231/.313/.383

Sachse native Kohl Drake matched a season-high six innings and season-low one hit in what was not technically his AA debut but close enough. Drake offered a fastball, change, curve, and cutter. Abi Ortiz is hitting .310/.405/.531 in his last 30 games.

Hi-A: Hickory 5, Bowling Green (TAM) 4
Hickory: 6 hits, 4 walks, 10 strikeouts
Opponent: 9 hits, 3 walks, 11 strikeouts
Record: 28-25, 6.5 GB, 56-63 overall, elimination number 6

SP David Davalillo: 5 IP, 8 H (1 HR), 3 R, 1 BB, 5 SO, 74 P / 50 S, 3.12 ERA
RP Gavin Collyer: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 SO, 3.00 ERA
RP Bryan Magdaleno: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO, 0.00 ERA
CF Dylan Dreiling: 1-3, BB, SB (4), .213/.362/.277
C Malcolm Moore: 1-3, BB, .149/.245/.255
RF Yeison Morrobel: 1-4, HR (7), .202/.281/.298

The Crawdads fashioned a series split and held a very strong offense to 3.3 runs per game, and they went 7-8 against the Hot Roads in the second half. Unfortunately, those Hot Rods are 25-11 against everyone else. Yeison Morrobel hit a two-out grand slam in the 8th following walks from Dylan Dreiling, Cam Cauley, and Malcolm Moore. Morrobel’s offense has fallen off a cliff in the second half: .143/.237/.218 including a nine-game hitless streak ad a 20-game stretch with only five hits. Bryan Magdaleno has six scoreless high-A appearances and 12 straight overall stretching back to the beginning of July with Down East.

Lo-A: Down East 4, Delmarva (BAL) 5
Down East: 9 hits, 1 walk, 12 strikeouts
Opponent: 10 hits, 8 walks, 11 strikeouts
Record: 24-25, 6.5 GB , 59-55 overall, elimination number 7

SP Willian Bormie: 3 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 6 SO, 68 P / 46 S, 3.57 ERA
RP Luke Savage: 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 2 SO, 4.19 ERA
RP Anthony Susac: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 1 SO, 0.00 ERA
C Julian Brock: 3-4, .248/.322/.376

Down East lost four of six to the league’s worst team and scored only 11 runs. The combination of pitching and defense remains the league’s best, surrendering only 3.2 runs per game in the second half. Three other teams stand between the Wood Ducks and division-leading Fredericksburg, so the 6.5-game deficit undersells the task at hand. Down East travels to Myrtle Beach this week and hosts Augusta for the team’s final homestand.

2024 3rd-rounder Casey Cook had the best week, hitting .353/.450/.412. Cook has yet to play anywhere but second, a position he saw only twice in three years at UNC.

Five Years Ago Yesterday
Josh Jung was 3-5 with a double in Hickory’s 10-4 victory against Greensboro, lowering the magic number for a playoff spot to four with eight to play.

Box Scores

AAA: Round Rock 6, @ Salt Lake (LAA) 2
Round Rock: 10 hits, 7 walks, 10 strikeouts
Opponent: 6 hits, 6 walks, 7 strikeouts
Record: 25-24, 4 GB, 62-61 overall

SP Gerson Garabito: 4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 2 SO, 58 P / 37 S, 3.29 ERA
1B Blaine Crim: 2-4, BB, .273/.372/.437
LF Jax Biggers: 1-2, 3 BB, .277/.405/.396

The system managed a split on the day despite no homers and just three doubles from the offense.

I’d mentioned Justin Foscue’s baserunning prowess exceeding his (lack of) speed), and he rewarded me by advancing from first on a popup caught by the catcher no more than 30 feet from the plate. Foscue dutifully tagged and then bolted for second when Anthony Mulrine fell backwards making the catch. He would reach third on a wild pitch and score on a single. Daniel Robert pitched for the first time in three weeks, allowing an unearned run on two walks and a single in 0.2 IP.

AA: Frisco 3, San Antonio (SDP) 9
Frisco: 5 hits, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts
Opponent: 9 hits, 10 walks, 10 strikeouts
Record: 27-23, 2 GB, 71-48 overall

SP Emiliano Teodo: 3 IP, 3 H (1 HR), 3 R, 4 BB, 1 HBP, 3 SO, 64 P / 33 S, 2.00 ERA
RP Josh Sborz: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 0 SO, 36.00 ERA

Emiliano Teodo needed 30 pitches to create and escape from a bases-loaded jam in the 1st. Cole Cummings, who doubled off Jake deGrom Thursday, connected on a 3rd-run homer against Teodo in the 3rd. Cummings would also double off Bryan Chi and plate two runners belonging to Josh Sborz, who retired one of four batters.

Hi-A: Hickory 0, Bowling Green (TAM) 5
Hickory: 3 hits, 2 walks, 11 strikeouts
Opponent: 12 hits, 8 walks, 15 strikeouts
Record: 27-26, 7.5 GB, 55-64 overall, elimination number 6

SP DJ McCarty: 4 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 6 SO, 84 P / 55 S, 4.26 ERA
RP Josh Mollerus: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 5 SO, 5.21 ERA
CF Dylan Dreiling: 1-3, BB, .205/.352/.273
SS Sebastian Walcott: 1-3, 2B, BB, .255/.342/.422

Top pick Malcolm Moore had a tough day at the office, striking out thrice in four hitless at-bats. His K rate in 13 high-A games is 36% compared to the 14% in his final college season.

Lo-A: Down East 3, Delmarva (BAL) 2
Down East: 6 hits, 3 walks, 6 strikeouts
Opponent: 7 hits, 3 walks, 8 strikeouts
Record: 24-24, 5.5 GB, 59-54 overall

SP Kolton Curtis: 4.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 6 SO, 70 P / 44 S, 2.64 ERA
DH Casey Cook: 2-4, .209/.286/.233

In the 8th, Esteban Mejia reached second on a walk and wild pitch and raced home on a Marcos Torres single to break a 2-2 tie. In the 4th, he scored from third on a dropped fly to left apparently shallow enough to invoke the infield fly rule.

20-year-old Kolton Curtis isn’t among the Wood Ducks with a gaudy SO:BB ratio, but he’s headed that direction in July and August, with eight walks in 35 strikeouts in 26.1 innings over that period versus 27 walks and 38 strikeouts in 47 innings through June.

DSL: Rangers Red win DSL best-of-three quarterfinal over Tigers 2 by scores of 3-4, 5-2, and 5-0.

SP1 Jormy Nivar: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 6 SO
SP2 German Nunez: 6 IP, 2 H, 0 H, 1 BB, 4 SO
SP3 Alejandro Chiquillo: 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 SO
RP Moises Morales: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 4 SO
RP Yeimison Arias: 5 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 SO

2B Daniel Flames: 7-13, 2B
1B Jose Marcano: 5-12, BB, SB
3B Michael Guzman: 3-12, 2B, 3 BB
RF Andry Batista: 2-8, 2B, 5 BB
SS Curley Martha: 2-12, HR, BB, SB

The Rangers never trailed and won two straight after an opening loss. Well-regarded infielder Curley Martha, one of the 2024’s top signs, hit the team’s only homer to give a 2-0 lead in the 1st inning of the deciding game. Martha batted .282/.395/.427 in the regular season, spending most of his time at short plus some work at third. Flames spent most of his season with Texas’s other DSL squad (Blue) so he too could focus at short; he hit .329/.529/.400 overall. His 5th-inning double plated the first runs of Game 2. CF Paulino Santana, the top 2024 international signing, was hit less in the series after a .292/.465/.364 regular season.

In contrast to those three hitters, all 17 years old, the starting pitchers were 21 or 22 and at least 20 when signed. Nunez (2.89 ERA) led the league with 74 strikeouts (36% rate) versus only 11 walks in 53 innings. Nivar (1.76 ERA) walked only five and fanned 50 in 46 innings. The still-19 Arias completed Game 3; he posted a 4.64 ERA with three walks and 23 strikeouts in 21.1 innings.

Rangers Red had won their division with a 39-17 record, third-best in the league. They led the league in runs (7.46 per game) and were second iin all the slash stats (.278/.412/.398). They were 14th of 51 teams in runs allowed (4.68 per game) and first in strikeouts (11.7 per nine IP). Division mates Tigers 2 (38-18) were a wild card.

The Rangers are playing Boston in the semis.

Today’s Starters
AAA: C. Anderson
AA: Drake
Hi-A: Davalillo
Lo-A: TBA

Five Years Ago Yesterday
The rookie Rangers finished the season with a 33-22 record and first-half division title. “Heriberto Hernandez led the offense in (takes deep breath) average, OBP, slugging, hits (66), doubles (17), homers (11), walks (27), runs (42)and RBI (48).  Pending today’s games, he’ll almost certainly lead the league in RBI, might end up with the most hits and could tie for the doubles lead. And he’s a 19-year-old catcher, albeit third in line at that position.”

Box Scores

AAA: Round Rock 8, @ Salt Lake (LAA) 1
Round Rock: 11 hits, 2 walks, 11 strikeouts
Opponent: 7 hits, 5 walks, 8 strikeouts
Record: 24-24, 5 GB, 61-61 overall

SP Ryan Garcia: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 1 HBP, 7 SO, 93 P / 58 S, 2.38 ERA
RP Owen White: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 SO, 5.58 ERA
RP Robby Ahlstrom: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO, 5.19 ERA
CF Sandro Fabian: 3-4, 2B, BB, .280/.355/.472
DH Jax Biggers: 1-4, 3B, .276/.399/.396

Ryan Garcia tied a season-high four walks but missed a few more bats than usual and avoided scary contact.

Jax Biggers hit a bases-loaded triple in the 8th. Dustin Harris remains on the active roster but out of the lineup following Wednesday’s mid-game replacement.

AA: Frisco 10, San Antonio (SDP) 4
Frisco: 11 hits, 3 walks, 12 strikeouts
Opponent: 5 hits, 4 walks, 10 strikeouts
Record: 27-22, 2 GB, 71-47 overall

SP Nick Krauth: 5.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 5 SO, 75 P / 49 S, 5.60 ERA
RP Larson Kindreich: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 SO, 1.80 ERA
CF Alejandro Osuna: 3-4, 3B, HBP, .311/.395/.522
DH Josh Hatcher: 1-3, 2B, BB, HBP, SB (19), .294/.344/.429
LF Aaron Zavala: 2-4, 2 2B, BB, SB (9), .226/.336/.310

21-year-old Alejandro Osuna commenced a three-run 1st and his three-hit night with a triple. Last year in reference to Thomas Saggese, I compiled a list of Texas League hitters since 2007 in their Age 21 seasons with at least 150 plate appearances, a minimum OPS+ of 125, and a reasonable balance between the OBP and slugging components of OPS:
Kyle Blanks
Mike Moustakas
Eric Hosmer
Jose Altuve
Wil Myers
Nick Williams
Brett Phillips
Joey Gallo
Ronald Guzman
Franchy Cordero
Ramon Laureano
Yordan Alvarez
Yusniel Diaz
Gavin Lux
Bobby Witt
Miguel Vargas
Alek Thomas
Corbin Carroll
Darrell Hernaiz
Thomas Saggese

The conclusion: “Every one of these players has reached MLB with the exception of Hernaiz and Saggese, who’ve accomplished this feat this season, and many had or are having productive careers.”

Does this guarantee Osuna a Texas (or some other MLB) uniform? No, but I do believe his performance makes him one to follow. Simply put, Osuna puts the bat on the ball well, and his future is tied tightly to that. The concerns are about how quickly he’ll age out of his base-stealing ability, whether he’s suited to anything but left in the long run, and whether he’ll hit lefties (against whom he’s at least reaching base in 2024 but historically has fared poorly).

Hi-A: Hickory 3, Bowling Green (TAM) 4
Hickory: 7 hits, 2 walks, 14 strikeouts
Opponent: 6 hits, 4 walks, 18 strikeouts
Record: 27-24, 6.5 GB, 55-62 overall

SP Izack Tiger: 3.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 7 SO, 71 P / 43 S, 4.02 ERA
RP Ryan Lobus: 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 10 SO, 3.48 ERA
LF Yosy Galan: 2-4, 3B, SB (25), .184/.277/.330

Hickory struck out 18 Hot Rods in a loss. Ryan Lobus was wonderful overall but played a role in a PSA for the third-time-through-the-order penalty, surrendering a two-run triple to the 20th batter he faced.

Lo-A: Down East 2, Delmarva (BAL) 1
Down East: 3 hits, 5 walks, 10 strikeouts
Opponent: 5 hits, 4 walks, 8 strikeouts
Record: 23-24, 6.5 GB, 58-54 overall

SP Brayan Mendoza: 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 1 HBP, 4 SO, 75 P / 47 S, 2.23 ERA
RP Alberto Mota: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 SO, 2.74 ERA
RP Joey Danielson: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0.00 ERA
1B Beycker Barroso: 2-3, 2B, BB, 2 SB (5), .206/.328/.383
DH Pablo Guerrero: 1-3, BB, .259/.297/.362

Down East came to bat in the 9th down 1-0 with only five baserunners to their credit. With two out and Beycker Barroso on third, Delmarva proceeded to walk three straight and then unleash a game-ending wild pitch.

Pablo Guerrero isn’t hitting nearly as well in the Carolina League as Arizona (.301/.367/.522), but he’s not alone. I’ve noticed many steep declines in production between the levels in recent years. I don’t believe Texas players suffer more than those in other organizations, although I haven’t performed a study. The combination of tougher competition and tougher hitting environment is a double whammy on young hitters.

Today’s Starters
AAA: Solomon
AA: TBA according to MiLB.com, but the game notes and advertising say Teodo
Hi-A: McCarty
Lo-A: TBA

Five Years Ago Yesterday
I was in Frisco and showed Demarcus Evans a picture of my daughter wearing his jersey, and he entered the game and struck out three straight.

Per local reports, Kumar Rocker’s next appearance will be for Round Rock (and in Round Rock, assuming a typical rest), and he’ll occupy the roster spot of Jack Leiter, who’ll return to the Majors.

Per me, I’ll be podcasting with Sean Bass of The Ticket and Michael Tepid this afternoon. Check later today at your favorite listening source.

Also, thanks so much to those who’ve donated. If you’ve mailed a check, I’ll have them deposited no later than this weekend. If you’re still interested in participating, here’s the info.

Box Scores

AAA: Round Rock 1, @ Salt Lake (LAA) 3
Round Rock: 7 hits, 1 walk, 11 strikeouts
Opponent: 6 hits, 0 walks, 5 strikeouts
Record: 22-24, 5 GB, 59-61 overall

SP Adrian Sampson: 6 IP, 5 H (2 HR), 3 R, 0 BB, 3 SO, 68 P / 45 S, 5.81 ERA
RP Marc Church: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO, 3.12 ERA
2B Justin Foscue: 2-4, HR (7), .291/.440/.483

The Express completed eight innings with only 85 pitches. Unfortunately, the offense couldn’t muster a response against demoted starter Reid Detmers (7 IP, 1 R, 9 SO) or demoted reliever Hans Crouse (1 IP, 1 SO). Crouse had been pitching well, best as I can tell, but had to make way for famous ex-Ranger Johnny Cueto, who made his 2024 MLB debut with six innings and three runs for the Angels.

AA: Frisco 5, San Antonio (SDP) 3
Frisco: 5 hits, 5 walks, 7 strikeouts
Opponent: 3 hits, 3 walks, 14 strikeouts
Record: 26-22, 2 GB, 70-47 overall

SP Jake deGrom: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 SO, 29 P / 21 S, 4.50 ERA
RP Mitch Bratt: 5 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 7 SO, 4.34 ERA
2B Cody Freeman: 1-3, HR (14), BB, .264/.323/.449
3B Keyber Rodriguez: 1-3, HR (6), HBP, .243/.292/.377
C Cooper Johnson: 1-3, HR (11), BB, .240/.348/.480

Jake deGrom’s rehab start began with a double and run-scoring single, after which he retired five straight, three with strikeouts. 12 of 18 swings against deGrom came up empty, but give the Missions credit for some solid hacks. Mitch Bratt matched a season-high three walks but was stingier in the hit column over a longer period than deGrom.

Hi-A: Hickory 5, Bowling Green (TAM) 0
Hickory: 10 hits, 2 walks, 11 strikeouts
Opponent: 3 hits, 4 walks, 15 strikeouts
Record: 27-24, 5.5 GB, 55-62 overall

SP Alejandro Rosario: 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 SO, 71 P / 53 S, 2.52 ERA
DH Sebastian Walcott: 2-4, 2 SB (22), .255/.341/.422
3B Gleider Figuereo: 1-3, HR (8), HBP, .205/.256/.397
RF Yeison Morrobel: 2-4, 2 2B, .201/.282/.291

Alejandro Rosario missed 16 bats, his most in high-A. He’s walked seven and struck out 54 for Hickory, and opponents are hitting .209/.254/.269 against him at that level vs. .200/.230/.272 in ten earlier low-A starts. That is to say, moving to a tougher level and a more hitter-friendly home park hasn’t affected him in the slightest. The start I saw in person at Fredericksburg — 4.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R — remains his worst of the year. (I was still duly impressed.)

Gleider Figuereo is the first Texas minor leaguer to reach 20 homers. Teammate Anthony Gutierrez leads the organization with 43 steals. Unfortunately, that will also be his season total, as shoulder surgery has ended his season. Gutierrez finished with a .241/.317/.315 line and one homer in 71 games. He’ll turn 20 in November, and I would expect a return to high-A (in Spartanburg) in 2024.

Hickory has won two of the first three in a must-win series against division-leading Bowling Green. Winning two of the next three would pull the deficit down to 4.5 games with 12 to play. Daunting, if not hopeless.

Lo-A: Down East 1, Delmarva (BAL) 3
Down East: 4 hits, 3 walks, 13 strikeouts
Opponent: 5 hits, 8 walks, 12 strikeouts
Record: 22-24, 6.5 GB, 57-54 overall

SP Kyle Larsen: 3.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 5 SO, 78 P / 43 S, 6.82 ERA
RP Anthony Susac: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO, 0.00 ERA
SS Echedry Vargas: 2-4, HR (13), .282/.331/.477

Echedry Vargas moved into a tie for fourth in the Carolina League with his 13th homer. His 24 steals rank only 23rd. The Carolina League has 3.2 steals for every homer, a ratio far above any other league.

Today’s Starters
AAA: Garcia
AA: Krauth (no Scherzer)
Hi-A: Tiger
Lo-A: B. Mendoza

Five Years Ago Yesterday
3B Davis Wendzel made his pro debut with a walk in three plate appearances for the rookies. He’d been delayed by a sprained thumb.

Per multiple reports, Seattle has fired manager Scott Servias, and the Angels have extended the contract of GM Perry Minasian.

Box Scores

AAA: Round Rock 18, @ Salt Lake (LAA) 5
Round Rock: 19 hits, 7 walks, 4 strikeouts
Opponent: 10 hits, 2 walks, 14 strikeouts
Record: 23-23, 4 GB, 60-60 overall

SP Jack Leiter: 5.2 IP, 4 H (1 HR), 2 R, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 9 SO, 75 P / 55 S, 3.51 ERA
RP Grant Wolfram: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 SO, 3.26 ERA
CF Dustin Harris: 2-3, .282/.366/.406
C Andrew Knapp: 1-5, HR (9), BB, .294/.383/.457
1B Justin Foscue: 3-6, .286/.439/.463
LF Trevor Hauver: 3-5, 2B, HR (7), .214/.322/.365
3B Jonathan Ornelas: 3-5, 2B, BB, .250/.323/.330
SS Jax Biggers: 3-5, 2 2B, BB, .276/.401/.391
2B Frainer Chavez: 2-5: 2B, .231/.302/.308

In a much more hostile environment, Jack Leiter wasn’t quite so absurdly dominant as last week but close enough to have you panting. Leiter missed 14 bats (19% of all pitches, 35% of swings) split evenly between the fastball and slider. Leiter didn’t touch 100 last last week but threw three heaters that would round up, and in general his velocity was higher. Having pitched only 3.1 innings last week, his velocity did fade toward the end last night, not exceeding 98.0 in the final two innings. Leiter didn’t allow anything off that bat above 89 MPH until the 5th. A 6th-inning homer by Jake Marisnick and an error prevented a full six innings. Pitching at altitude cuts into the induced vertical break that makes his fastball such a weapon when he’s on his game. Last week’s start was in Round Rock, and only two of his highest 20 IVB readings in the last two starts occurred last night. He still tore through a mature lineup. Video highlights.

CF Dustin Harris was pulled mid-game and is not in tonight’s lineup, although he remains on the  active roster. He did foul a ball off his foot earlier last night, He and his teammates plowed through full plates at the offensive feast and then went back for seconds and thirds.

Texas released catcher Andrew Knapp.

AA: Frisco 9, San Antonio (SDP) 3
Frisco: 12 hits, 6 walks, 5 strikeouts
Opponent: 13 hits, 5 walks, 11 strikeouts
Record: 25-22, 3 GB, 69-47 overall

SP Kumar Rocker: 4.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 SO, 72 P / 47 S, 0.46 ERA
RP Dane Acker: 2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3.24 HBP, 1 SO, 0.00 ERA
RF Alejandro Osuna: 3-5, HR (4), SB (5), .299/.381/.506
SS Max Acosta: 3-4, 2B, BB, 2 SB (24), .267/.321/.376
1B Abimelec Ortiz: 1-3, HR (10), 2 BB, .227/.311/.373
LF Aaron Zavala: 2-2, BB, .223/.334/.303

Kumar Rocker was magnificent yet again. I suppose we have the question of what level of competition is appropriate for this stage of his return from Tommy John, but ignoring that, he’s simply too good for the level. AA opposition is batting .132/.169/.191. Rocker missed 16 bats, 22% of all pitches and 44% of swings. The breaker(s), which the media crew were calling a curve and only a curve*, missed 11 bats out of 14 swings. He added a small handful of changes that were reasonably effective. The fastballs ranged from 97 to 100, with 4-5 in the triple digits. Here’s highlights, which are required viewing.

* To me, the pitch has looked like a slider more often than not, while a good number with more hop and less tail look like curves. I’ve never been fully certain whether they’re distinct or variations on a theme. Deciphering breakers in 2022 can be a tricky business. I wouldn’t be surprised if I’d missed Rocker himself describing his stuff. Maybe we’ll have Statcast guessing his pitches next time out, or at least somewhere down the line in 2024.

Hi-A: Hickory 8, Bowling Green (TAM) 4
Hickory: 8 hits, 8 walks, 11 strikeouts
Opponent: 6 hits, 3 walks, 11 strikeouts
Record: 26-24, 6.5 GB, 54-62 overall

SP Paul Bonzagni: 6 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 5 SO, 79 P / 46 S, 2.76 ERA
RP Gavin Collyer: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 SO, 3.07 ERA
SS Cam Cauley: 1-3, 2 BB, .230/.290/.401
3B Sebastian Walcott: 2-3, BB, SB (20), .252/.340/.421
1B Arturo Disla: 3-4, HR (5), .283/.362/.600

240-lb. baserunning legend Arturo Disla struck again. On first wth two out and with Sebastian Walcott at third, Disla bolted for second base. The throw easily beat him, but he effected a rundown that allowed Walcott to score first. Disla also homered. We’ll see whether power or speed is the carrying tool going forward.

Bowling Green manager Rafael Valenzuela took umbrage at a (correct, in my opinion) call of batter’s interference, was tossed, kicked dirt over the plate, and retrieved a trash receptacle from the dugout and placed it behind the plate.

Lo-A: Down East 1, Delmarva (BAL) 4
Down East: 5 hits, 0 walks, 11 strikeouts
Opponent: 9 hits, 1 walk, 13 strikeouts
Record: 22-23, 5.5 GB, 57-53 overall

SP Jose Gonzalez: 3 IP, 6 H (1 HR), 3 R, 1 BB, 3 SO, 51 P / 34 S, 2.34 ERA
RP Josh Trentadue: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 SO, 4.48 ERA
RP Justin Sanchez: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 SO, 5.92 ERA
2B Casey Cook: 3-4, 2B, .219/.297/.250

Down East has lost eight of ten since a ten-game win streak.

Today’s Starters
AAA: Sampson
AA: TBA (DeGrom)
Hi-A: Rosario
Lo-A: TBA

Five Years Ago Yesterday
I did not file a report because of work. What is it about August 22nd? Ricky Vanasco had a fine low-A debut, striking out eight in five innings and allowing one run on two hits and a walk.

Box Scores

AAA: Round Rock 6, @ Salt Lake (LAA) 9
Round Rock: 9 hits, 7 walks, 10 strikeouts
Opponent: 13 hits, 4 walks, 6 strikeouts
Record: 22-23, 5 GB, 59-60 overall

SP Chase Anderson: 4 IP, 7 H (1 HR), 5 R, 2 BB, 4 SO, 67 P / 38 S, 7.04 ERA
RP Reid Birlingmair: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 SO, 7.00 ERA
1B Justin Foscue: 1-4, HR (6), BB, .277/.438/.445
DH Blaine Crim: 3-5, 2B, HR (13), .268/.368/.428
RF Sandro Fabian: 2-4, 2B, HR (16), BB, .275/.351/.463

Justin Foscue led off the game with a homer and squared another pitch for a sharp 393-ft. out. That second shot might have cleared a hesitating center fielder’s glove at the Dell Diamond, but with Salt Lake’s larger configuration and deeper-playing OFs, it’s an annoyingly routine out. Since returning to Round Rock, Foscue has batted .323/.469/.532 with seven extra-base hits and more walks (16) than strikeouts (10). He played first last night but has spent 13 of 17 recent games at second. I’m more inclined to think of him as a first baseman, but if he hits enough, my inclinations could be persuadable.

Blaine Crim’s 9th-inning homer carried the outfield berm.

AA: Frisco 2, San Antonio (SDP) 6
Frisco: 8 hits, 4 walks, 9 strikeouts
Opponent: 10 hits, 5 walks, 10 strikeouts
Record: 24-22, 3 GB, 68-47 overall

SP Ben Anderson: 5.2 IP, 9 H (1 HR), 5 R, 2 BB, 3 SO, 92 P / 64 S, 4.01 ERA
1B Abi Ortiz: 1-2, 2 BB, .226/.307/.365
C Cooper Johnson: 2-4, HR (10), .238/.345/.466

Texas promoted righty Kohl Drake to AA Frisco. Drake leads the organization with 131 strikeouts in 87 innings. That figure is also 12th in all of minor league ball, and everyone above him has pitched between seven and 51 additional innings. Drake isn’t quite new to the AA, having pitched once there in an April emergency start and, to be honest, looking like someone who needed to head back to Down East. Since then, he’s been outstanding, and I have no reason to expect a quick return to A ball. Drake was a 22-year-old JuCo pick in 2022’s 11th round but regarded enough to earn a modestly above-slot deal. After a bumpy 2023, he’s risen quickly and is at the age-appropriate level for essentially the first time, although age standards can be viewed more loosely with pitchers.

The announced rotation for Frisco is Kumar Rocker Wednesday, TBA Thursday (actually Jake deGrom, per the beats, and this also seems where Mitch Bratt would fit), Winston Santos Friday (listed, but preceded by Max Scherzer), and Emiliano Teodo Saturday. Frisco hasn’t announced a Sunday starter, but Drake pitched for Hickory last Sunday. If you’re in the area and haven’t visited Frisco this season, now would be the time.

Hi-A: Hickory 1, Bowling Green (TAM) 3
Hickory: 5 hits, 0 walks, 6 strikeouts
Opponent: 8 hits, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts
Record: 25-24, 7.5 GB, 53-62 overall

SP Aidan Curry: 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 SO, 78 P / 44 S, 6.97 ERA
DH Malcolm Moore: 1-3, HR (1), .156/.270/.313

Malcolm Moore lifted a fly to right-center for his first professional homer.

Lo-A: Down East 0, Delmarva (BAL) 6
Down East: 5 hits, 4 walks, 10 strikeouts
Opponent: 8 hits, 5 walks, 5 strikeouts
Record: 22-22, 5.5 GB, 57-52 overall

SP Thomas Ireland: 5 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 2 SO, 78 P / 51 S, 2.45 ERA
RP Luke Savage: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 2 SO, 4.46 ERA
SS Echedry Vargas: 2-4, 4 SB (24), .283/.332/.474

10 baserunners, five steals, zero runs.

Today’s Starters
AAA: Leiter
AA: Rocker
Hi-A: Bonzagni
Lo-A: TBA

Five Years Ago Yesterday
Josh Jung was 3-6 with a double in Hickory’s 9-8 win over Columbia. Daniel Robert allowed his first professional homer in his inaugural low-A outing after 14 homer-free appearances in short-season Spokane. Columbia reliever Allan Winans and catcher Hayden Senger were ejected in the 9th when they took umbrage at a call on a grounder that resulted in a hit and tying run rather than the final out.