Inside The Rangers

Texas Rangers Minor League Tracker: Evan Carter Named All-Star

Follow along here for updates on the Texas Rangers minor league affiliates throughout the 2023 season.

Inside The Rangers Staff

Texas Rangers Minor League Tracker: Evan Carter Named All-Star
Texas Rangers Minor League Tracker: Evan Carter Named All-Star /
In this story:

Sept. 26: Texas Rangers OF Evan Carter and prospect LHP Antoine Kelly were selected to the Texas League Postseason All-Star team in voting by league managers.

Carter, 21, hit .284/.411/.451/.862 (107-377) with 12 HR, 6 3B, 15 2B, 62 RBI, and 22 steals over 97 games with Double-A Frisco before earning a promotion to Triple-A Round Rock on Aug. 29. He finished the minor league season ranked among TL leaders in OBP (2nd), BB (5th, 74), 3B (T5th) and OPS (7th).

Carter had his contract selected from Triple-A on Sept. 8, and has batted .326 (15-46) with 4 HR and 10 RBI across 17 games with the Rangers in his Major League debut. He has reached base safely in a club-record 16 straight games with at least one plate appearance to begin his MLB career.

Kelly went 3-1 with 11 saves, a 1.95 ERA (12 ER/55.0 IP), and 69 strikeouts in 43 relief outings for Frisco in 2023. He ranked among TL pitchers (min. 50.0 IP) in ERA (1st), saves (1st), and strikeouts per 9.0 innings (5th, 12.44) prior to being promoted to Round Rock on Sept. 8.

The 23-year-old pitcher was announced as winner of the Texas organization’s 2023 Reliever of the Year award earlier this month. He was originally acquired by the Rangers from Milwaukee in a three-player trade involving RHP Matt Bush in 2022.

Sept. 2: The Texas Rangers are promoting infielder Sebastian Walcott to High-A Hickory, per MLB.com. 

Walcott, from the Bahamas, signed with the Rangers in January for one of the largest international signing bonuses of 2023. He played a few games with the Rangers' Dominican Summer League team before he was transferred to the Arizona Complex League Rangers. 

With the ACL Rangers Walcott has been exceptional, batting 273/.325/.525/.849 with seven homers and 19 RBI over 35 games. 

The promotion would make him just one of five players under the age of 18 to be with a full-season minor league affiliate.

Aug 27: The Texas Rangers reinstated pitcher Jack Leiter to Double-A Frisco from the developmental list, according to MLB.com. Leiter was scheduled to pitch for the RoughRiders on Sunday.

The former No. 2 pick in the 2021 draft hadn't pitched in a live game since July 7. He did throw a live batting practice session in front of Rangers officials on Aug. 16 at Globe Life Field.

The session included pitching against Rangers infielder Brad Miller and catcher Austin Hedges. The Rangers obviously felt comfortable with Leiter's progress over the past several weeks, leading to his reinstatement.

Leiter has struggled in Double-A this season, going was 2-5 in 15 games with a 5.51 ERA and 85 strikeouts going into Sunday. In 65 1/3 innings, Leiter allowed 56 hits, issued 45 walks and gave up 11 home runs.

Aug. 8: Texas Rangers prospect Jax Biggers has been promoted to the Triple-A Round Rock Express, per a tweet by the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders, congratulating him on the call-up.

Biggers, a former eight-round pick in 2018, is batting .227 with seven home runs and 36 RBI. This move is likely connected to the promotion of infielder Jonathan Ornelas to the Rangers before Monday's game in Oakland. 

July 27: C Kevin Plawecki has been acquired from San Diego in exchange for cash considerations. He will be assigned to Round Rock (AAA).

Plawecki, 32, has split the season with Rochester (Nationals AAA) and El Paso (Padres AAA), batting .268 with 4 HR and 27 RBI in 57 games. The veteran finished 2022 with Texas, appearing in 3 games late in the year after he was designated for assignment by Boston in September.

The Rangers called up C Sam Huff on Friday after placing Jonah Heim (wrist) on the injured list. 

July 24: Two Texas Rangers prospects were named either pitcher or player of the week in their respective leagues on Monday. 

Pitcher Cole Winn was named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week and outfielder Braylin Morel was named the Player of the Week for the Dominican Summer League.

Winn, a former first-round pick who plays for Triple-A Round Rock, threw five shutout innings in his last game on Wednesday against Reno, giving up one hit and striking out six. In his last six appearances, all out of the bullpen, the former starter is 3-0 with a 3.26 ERA in 19 1/3 innings. He's struck out 17. 

Morel, who is 17, went 5-for-14 (.357) with three home runs and four RBI in four games for the DSL Rangers Red team, including a two-home run game on Thursday. For the season he has slashed .327/.431/.636/1.067 with five HR and 23 RBI in 28 games.

July 21: Texas Rangers Top 30 prospect Danyer Cueva was involved in an on-field collision during Friday night's game with Class-A Down East and was taken to the hospital as a precaution. 

MLB.com reported the collision.

Cueva took a knee to the head in the collision. He reportedly had full feeling and movement in his extremities, but he was taken to the hospital.

Cueva is a middle infielder who is ranked No. 27 in the Rangers' organization by MLB.com. The 19-year-old is in his third season of professional baseball and is slashing .261/.309/.377/.686 with four home runs and 34 RBI in 70 games with the Wood Ducks.

July 14: The Texas Rangers have reportedly moved pitcher Jack Leiter to the Development List as the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders return to the field this weekend. 

The move was reported by Rangers Today. The transaction was not on the Minor League transaction log as of Friday night. 

Leiter, the first-round pick of the Rangers in 2022, is moving to the list to work on mechanics and is not injured. 

Leiter is 2-5 with a 5.51 ERA this season. He had an impressive May, going 2-1 with a 1.67 ERA. In his last start against Midland on July 7, he gave up five hits and six runs in 1/3 inning. He still leads the RoughRiders with 85 strikeouts and 11.71 strikeouts per nine innings.

July 8: Owen White, the top pitching prospect for the Texas Rangers, is starting the MLB Futures Game on Saturday night at 6 p.m. CT during All-Star Game weekend in Seattle.

The game will feature an American League vs. National League format after two decades of USA vs. the World.

White was recently promoted to Triple-A as a starter for the Round Rock Express. With Double-A Frisco, White went 2-3 with a 3.51 ERA in 12 starts. In 56 1/3 innings, he struck out 48 and walked 23.

Earlier this season, he was named the Texas League Player of the Week.

July 6: First baseman Abimelec Ortiz has been named South Atlantic League Player of the Month for June. The 21-year-old batted .374/.442/.723/1.165 (31-83) with eight home runs and 22 RBI over 22 games for High-A Hickory last month.

Games of July 1

Triple-A Round Rock (45-33): Round Rock lost to Las Vegas, 8-7. 1B Blaine Crim (2-for-3, BB, HR, 2 RBI) tied the game at six with a 2-R blast, before Las Vegas struck for a pair of go-ahead runs off RHP Ian Kennedy (1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R-ER, 3 SO) and RHP Jonathan Hernández (1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 RER, 2 BB, 2 SO). 

Double-A Frisco (32-40): SS Luisangel Acuña’s (1-for-4, HR, RBI) solo home run was Frisco’s only offense as the ‘Riders were edged by San Antonio, 2-1. RF Trevor Hauver (2-for-4, 2B) extended his season-high hit streak to 11 games (15-for-39) with a 2B. CF Evan Carter (1-for-4) reached on a single and is now 14-for-26 (.538) with the ‘Riders since returning from the 7-day IL on 6/20

High Class-A Hickory (35-34): DH Cody Freemans’s (0-for-4, RBI) walk-off sacrifice fly gave Hickory its 11th straight win, this one a 5-4, 10-inning win over Greensboro. It is one win shy of tying a franchise record

Down East (42-26): Down East lost to Carolina, 3-2. RHP Brock Porter (4.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R-ER, 1 BB, 5 SO) allowed his 1st home run of the ‘23 in the 2nd frame, striking out 5 batters in a no decision.

ACL Rangers (7-12): The ACL Rangers lost, 11-8, to the ACL Mariners. DH Sebastian Walcott (2-for-4, BB, HR, 2 RBI) belted a 2-R home run (3rd of season) in his 3rd straight multi-hit effort. Through 5 games he is slashing .429/.455/1.095/1.550 with 6 XBH.

July 1: The Cleveland Guardians signed former Rangers backup catcher Sandy Leon to a minor league deal, assigning the veteran to Triple-A Columbus.

Leon is in the Cleveland organization for the fourth time. He joined the Rangers in the offseason on a minor league contract, appearing in 21 games when Mitch Garver went on the injured list before being designated for assignment.

Leon did take outright assignment back to Triple-A Round Rock, but subsequently asked to be released. The Rangers accommodated that request.

June 28: Texas Rangers pitching prospect Josh Stephan threw five perfect innings for the High Class-A Hickory Crawdads on Wednesday afternoon.

Stephan, who is the Rangers' No. 28 overall prospect per MLB.com, also struck out 10 of the 15 hitters he faced. 

Stephan lowered his ERA to 2.17 for the season. 

June 27: The Texas Rangers are reportedly promoting reliever Alex Speas to Triple-A Round Rock, per the Dallas Morning News.

Speas, a former Rangers second-round pick who coached high school baseball last year, has been one of the best relievers in the Rangers system at Double-A Frisco. He struck out 47 and walked 13 in 28 1/3 innings for the RoughRiders. His ERA is 0.64.

In spite of being a pro in the Rangers system since 2016, he has never pitched at Triple-A. As the Rangers continue to determine how to re-make their bullpen for the second half, Speas has emerged as an internal option. 

June 26: Sebastian Walcott, who signed with the Texas Rangers as an international free agent in January, hit his first home run with the Arizona Complex League Rangers on Sunday. 

Walcott, 17, is the youngest player in a complex league (rookie league) right now. 

He started the summer with the Rangers' Dominican Summer League team but quickly moved to the Rangers' training facility in Surprise, Ariz., to join the ACL Rangers.

In 10 minor league games he's batting .200 with a home run and four RBI. 

June 24: First baseman Blaine Crim and outfielder Elier Hernandez kept streaks alive in the Round Rock Express' 8-3 win over Sacramento on Friday. 

Crim hit a home run in his third straight game. He went 2-for-4 and drove in four runs. He enters Saturday's action with a 2.75 average, eight home runs and 37 RBI. 

Hernandez went 1-for-5 with an RBI and extended his franchise-record hitting streak to 24 games. He's batting .332 with 12 home runs and 56 RBI this season. 

June 23: The Texas Rangers bumped pitcher Jack Leiter from his start on Friday with Double-A Frisco on Friday and put him on the developmental list for workload management, per the Dallas Morning News.

The developmental list is not an injury list. Teams typically moves players to this list in order to give them a rest during the season. 

Leiter is 2-3 with a 4.03 ERA this season. But in his last eight starts he is 2-1 with a 2.68 ERA, 51 strikeouts and 23 walks in 40 1/3 innings. He is allowing batters to hit .164 against him. 

June 21: Texas Rangers outfield prospect Dustin Harris made his Triple-A debut at Round Rock on Tuesday and it was a noisy one for the Top-30 prospect.

Harris went 2-for-3 with a home run, a double and two walks in a game the Express won. 

Harris was promoted to Round Rock on Tuesday, along with pitcher Owen White. Harris batted .245 with five home runs and 29 RBI for the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders. 

June 20: The Texas Rangers made a flurry of minor league moves on Tuesday, the most notable of which was promoting pitcher Owen White and activating outfielder Evan Carter. 

Multiple outlets reported the moves.

The Rangers promoted White, their No. 2 overall prospect, to Triple-A Round Rock. White made his MLB debut last week and was immediately sent back to the minors. With Double-A Frisco he was 2-3 with a 3.51 ERA, 48 strikeouts and 23 walks. 

Carter is the organization's No. 1 prospect and he's had an injured wrist the past two weeks. He played two rehab games with the Arizona Complex League Rangers. He returns to Double-A Frisco where he slashed .276/.404/.387/.791 with four home runs and 25 RBI in 41 games.

Other moves included:

Outfielder Dustin Harris was promoted to Round Rock. A Top 30 prospect for the Rangers, he slashed .245/.374/.406/.780 with five home runs and 29 RBI at Frisco. 

Yosy Galan and Jose Corniell were promoted from Class-A Down East to High Class-A Hickory. Galan was recently the Carolina League Player of the Week and slashed .229/.333/.492/.825 with 12 home runs and 34 RBI for the Wood Ducks. 

Corniell went 4-1 with a 2.70 ERA in 10 games (six starts) with 56 strikeouts and 14 walks. 

Outfielder Anthony Gutierrez was activated at Down East. He slashed .261/.310/.338/.648 with one home run and 17 RBI in 31 games. He was with the ACL Rangers on a rehab stint.

Sebastian Walcott, the Rangers' top international signee in January, will move stateside and join the ACL Rangers. In nine games in the Dominican Summer League he slashed .161/.381/.323/.704. 

June 18: The Class-A Down East Wood Ducks became the first Texas Rangers affiliate to clinch a playoff berth with a 16-6 win over Kannapolis on Saturday.

Designated hitter Konner Piotto (3-for-4, home run, five RBI) and first baseman Griffin Cheney (2-for-4, home run, three RBI) combined for 8 RBI in the game.

With the victory, the Wood Ducks (36-23) clinched first place in the Carolina League's North Division for the first half of the season. 

The Carolina League playoffs will be held after the second half of the season. 

The only Rangers affiliate to win an overall title in 2022 was the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders, which won the Texas League title. 

June 17: Alejandro Osuna has four home runs this season for the High Class-A Hickory Crawdads. He hit two of them on Thursday against Bowling Green in a 9-8 Crawdads win. 

For the game he went 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored. 

Osuna, 20, is the No. 24 prospect in the Rangers organization. Through his first 50 games this season he's slashing .274/.387/.417/.804 with four home runs, 24 RBI and 13 stolen bases. He's also scored 43 runs. 

He's projected as a 2025 call-up by MLB.com.

June 14: Pablo Guerrero, the son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero Sr. and younger brother of the Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr., hit his first career professional home run on Tuesday in Dominican Summer League action.

Guerrero, 16, signed with the Rangers as an international prospect in January. In his first 18 at-bats in the DSL, he is batting .222 with one home run, three RBI and five runs scored. 

June 12: Texas Rangers prospects RHP Owen White and OF Yosy Galan have been named Texas League Pitcher of the Week and Carolina League Player of the Week for the week of June 5-11, respectively.

White tossed a season-high seven shutout innings in a start on Wednesday at Corpus Christi, where he gave up one hit, no runs and two walks. He also struck out six. White is the Rangers' No. 2 overall prospect and enters this week with a 2-3 record and a 3.54 ERA in 11 starts for the RoughRiders. 

Galan batted .304 with four home runs and 14 RBI in six games last week, which included a three-game home run streak (Friday-Sunday). The Dominican Republic native enters this week with a .248 average, including 11 home runs and 31 RBI for Down East. He ranks among Carolina League players in home runs (T2nd), slugging percentage (3rd, .509), and OPS (4th, .844).

June 9: Outfielder Evan Carter, the Texas Rangers' No. 1 overall minor-league prospect, was moved to the injured list as he continues to work out at the Rangers' Spring Training Complex in Surprise, Ariz. 

Carter's move to the injured list was reported by multiple outlets.

Because of the move, Carter cannot return to Double-A Frisco before the Week of June 19. Carter missed a few games with wrist soreness in May. 

But, in spite of that, he's put together a fine season for the RoughRiders, as he's batting .276 with four home runs and 25 RBI. 

June 8: Frisco pitcher Owen White had the best outing of his season, and perhaps his pro career, as Frisco defeated Corpus Christi, 9-0.

White pitched seven innings for the first time this season. He didn't allow a run, gave up just one hit and struck out six before turning the game over to the RoughRiders' bullpen. 

In two starts this month White — who is the Rangers' No. 2 prospect per MLB.com — has a 1.38 ERA with 11 strikeouts in 13 innings of work. 

For the season White is now 2-3 with a 3.54 ERA, with 45 strikeouts and 22 walks. 

Games of June 3

Triple-A Round Rock: Round Rock scored 11 runs in the first inning en route to beating Sugar Land, 16-4. 3B Davis Wendzel (1-for-2, 3 BB, HR, 4 RBI) reached in 4 of 5 PA and launched his team-leading 10th home run of the season. RF Sandro Fabian (2-for-5, HR, 3 RBI)  now has 4 HR and 7 RBI in the series. SS Jonathan Ornelas (3-for-5, 2B, 3 RBI) drove in 3 runs on a trio of hits. LHP Cody Bradford (W, 6.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R-ER, 3 SO) earned his Pacific Coast League-leading 7th victory of the season...

Double-A Frisco: Frisco lost to San Antonio, 6-4. 3B Chris Seise (1-for-3, 2B, RBI) had an RBI double, while 2B Jax Biggers (1-for-3, RBI) had an RBI sacrifice fly. C Scott Kapers (2-for-4, 2 2B) reached base twice with a pair of doubles. Frisco used 7 different pitchers in the contest, including the returning LHP Danny Duffy (L, 0.2 IP, 4 R-ER, 3 BB) who took the loss in his first game action of 2023.

High Class-A Hickory:  Hickory defeated Greenville, 11-5. 1B Abimelec Ortiz (2-for-3, 2 BB, HR, 2 RBI) reached base 4 times and smashed a 2-R home run. Ortiz has been on a tear since his promotion to the Crawdads, tallying hits in his last 6 games, 10 of 11, and 17 of 19. LHP Robby Ahlstrom (W, 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R-ER, 2 SO) earned the win after hurling 3.0 scoreless innings in relief. 

Low Class-A Down East: Down East defeated Columbia, 10-9. SS Cam Cauley (1-for-4, BB, RBI) slapped an RBI single into right field to walk off Columbia in extra innings. The Woodies got RBI hits from RF Tommy Specht (2-for-5, RBI) and LF Zion Bannister (1-for-4, 2 RBI). 2B Danyer Cueva (2-for-5, HR, 2 RBI) and 1B Griffin Cheney (1-for-4, HR, RBI) each homered. RHP Adrian Rodriguez (W, 0.1 IP) earned the after escaping a bases-loaded jam in the 10th.

Games of June 2

Triple-A Round Rock (30-25): Round Rock beat Sugar Land, 6-5. ROUND ROCK EXPRESS – LF Sandro Fabian (2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI) and CF Elier Hernandez (3-for-4, 3B, HR, 3 RBI) launched back-to-back home runs in the 6th inning. 2B Justin Foscue (2-for-4, 2 2B) and 3B Davis Wendzel (2-for-4, 2 2B) each notched a pair of doubles. In his Triple-A debut, LHP Tristen Polley (W, 2.0 IP, 1 R-ER, 2 SO) earned the win with 2.0 IP in relief. RHP Spencer Howard (1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R-ER, 3 SO) made his second rehab app. with the Express, and has held the opposition scoreless across 2 outings (3.2 IP). 

Double-A Frisco (21-27): Frisco beat San Antonio, 8-7, in 10 innings on Friday. SS Luisangel Acuña’s (1-for-5, BB, RBI) walk-off single completed Frisco’s 5-run comeback in extra innings. Down 7-2 entering the bottom of the 9th inning, the ‘Riders fought their way back as DH Aaron Zavala (0-for-4, HBP, RBI) cut the deficit to four with an unconventional RBI HBP…the very next at-bat, 3B Thomas Saggese (1-for-5, HR, 4 RBI) slugged his 2nd grand slam of the season to send the contest into extra innings. 

High Class-A Hickory (17-28): Hickory lost to Greenville, 13-6. LHP Larson Kindreich (L, 0.2 IP, 4 H, 5 R-ER) failed to make it out of the opening frame and suffered his 4th loss of the year. DH Abimelec Ortiz (2-for-4, 2B) and 2B Max Acosta (2-for-5) finished with 2 hits apiece. Ortiz has hits in 6 of his last 7 games and is slashing .320/.367/.800/1.167 in those contests, while Acosta has reached base in 14 of 15 G.

Low Class-A Down East (27-18): Down East’s starting rotation continued its string of strong starts as RHP Brock Porter (5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 7 SO) tied a season-high with 7 strikeouts across 5.0 IP to give the Woodies their fourth straight win, 6-3. Porter has not surrendered an ER in 25.2 consecutive innings, lowering his ERA from 3.38 to 0.89 which is the lowest mark in the Carolina League (min. 30 IP).

Games of June 1

Triple-A Round Rock (29-25): Round Rock defeated Sugar Land, 8-4. C Sam Huff (1-for-4, HR, 3 RBI) launched a 2-R home run in the 1st inning. 1B Yoshi Tsutsugo (1-for-3, BB, HR, RBI) left the yard and LF Rafael Ortega (1-for-3, BB, 2B, RBI) drove in 3B Justin Foscue (2-for-3, BB, 3B, RBI) on an RBI double. RHP Chase Lee (1.1 IP, 3 SO) struck out 3 of his first 4 BF, and has retired 15 of the first 19 batters faced in relief app. LHP Josh Dye (W, 3.1 IP, 2 H, 2 RER) earned the win in relief. 

Double-A Frisco (20-27): Frisco lost to San Antonio, 2-0. 1B Nick Tanielu (1-for-2, BB) and 2B Jax Biggers (1-for-2, BB) each reached multiple times…despite a quality start, RHP Owen White (L, 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R-ER, 5 SO) took the loss. 

High Class-A Hickory (17-27): Hickory lost to Greenville, 4-0. RHP Josh Stephan (L, 4.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R-ER, 2 SO) suffered the defeat, but has allowed just 1 ER combined over his previous 2 starts (10.0 IP) to lower his ERA to 2.18. 1B Abimelec Ortiz (1-for-4, 2B) and RF Josh Hatcher (1-for-3, 2B) each notched doubles and were the only to two to reach scoring position.

Low Class-A Down East (26-18): Down East defeated Columbia, 3-1, behind a strong start from RHP Joseph Montalvo (W, 5.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R-ER, 7 SO). RHP Adrian Rodriguez (S, 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R-ER, 1 SO) earned his 6th save which is T2nd most in the Carolina League. The Woodies got their only offensive production on a pair of homers from DH Jesus Moreno (1-for3, BB, HR, RBI) and LF Yosy Galan (1-for-3, BB, HR, RBI).

Games of May 30

Triple-A Round Rock (27-24): LHP Grant Wolfram (L, 0.1 IP, 2 R-ER, 3 BB) surrendered a pair of runs in the 9th inning as Round Rock fell to Sugar Land, 5-4. SS Davis Wendzel (1-for-3, BB, HR, RBI) continued his torrid streak, as he has now homered in 6 of his last 10 G. Wendzel also has hits in 6 straight contests, and is 11-for-22 (.500 BA) since 5/24. RHP Robert Dugger (6.0 IP, 3 R-ER, 6 SO) settled in after a rocky beginning to notch a quality start. 

Double-A Frisco (20-25): Frisco allowed 7 unanswered runs after tying the game at one in the opening frame to drop a 9-2 decision to San Antonio. RF Aaron Zavala (1-for-1, BB, SF, HBP RBI) reached in 3 of 4 PA and drove in CF Evan Carter (1-for-3, BB) on an RBI sac fly in the 1st inning. Carter doubled to begin the ballgame and has reached base in a team-high 11 straight games. RHP Ryan Garcia (L, 3.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 SO) was knocked around in his start.

High Class-A Hickory (17-25):  Hickory used a 4-run 5th inning, led by C Tucker Mitchell’s (2-for-3, 2 BB, 2B, 2 RBI) bases-clearing double, to sprint past Greenville, 5-1. The Crawdads loaded the bases with no outs on 2B Keyber Rodriguez’s double (2-for-4, 2B, RBI), a walk from RF J.P. Martinez (0-for-1, 2 BB), and a bunt hit off the bat of LF Alejandro Osuna (1-for-5) before Mitchell’s big swing. LHP Mitch Bratt (W, 5.0 IP, 4 H, O R-ER, 5 SO) twirled 5.0 scoreless innings and secured his 1st win of the season. 

Low Class-A Down East (24-18): Down East blanked Columbia, 3-0, for its 4th shutout of the year anchored by 5.2 scoreless innings from RHP Jose Corniell (W, 5.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R-ER, 7 SO) who struck out 7 batters and allowed just 3 baserunners. The Woodies broke the scoreless tie in the 5th inning as SS Cam Cauley (2-for-4, 2B, RBI) singled and proceeded to steal 2nd base and advance to 3rd on a wild pitch. 1B Konner Piotto (1-for-3, RBI) then plated Cauley on an RBI fielder’s choice to grab a 1-0 lead.

Week of May 30-June 4 Preview

Triple-A Round Rock (27-23): The Express are preparing to host Sugar Land this week. They're coming off a 3-3 split with Albuquerque last week. SS Davis Wendzel took home Pacific Coast League Player of the Week honors after posting a slash line of .526/.640/1.316/1.956, including 3 doubles, 4 home runs, and 8 RBI. 2B Justin Foscue has seen his average rise from .257 to .277 since 5/19. LF Elier Hernandez (.278 BA) has an XBH in his last 3 games. RHP Chase Lee appeared in three games last week, and hasn’t allowed an earned run in 8.2 innings, boasting a 0.79 ERA across his last 8 app. RHP Robert Dugger (1-3, 4.50) has limited opponents to a .235 BA in May and will get the ball Tuesday vs. Sugar Land. 

Double-A Frisco (20-24): Frisco hosts San Antonio this week, after a week-long trip to Arkansas, where they RoughRiders went 3-3. 2B Thomas Saggese had a pair of multi-hit games and finished the series 8-for-21 (.381 BA) with 5 RBI. SS Luisangel Acuña is hitting .302 on the season, the 9th-best average in the Texas League behind Saggese (8 th-.306). CF Evan Carter has reached base in 10 straight games, and his .414 OBP ranks 4th in the TL. RHP Jack Leiter has allowed just 4 ER over 21.0 IP (1.71 ERA) in May including a pair of QS on 5/5 at MID and 5/17 vs. AMA. Leiter’s 12.73 K/9 figure ranks 2nd in the TL and his 58 strikeouts rank 3rd. RHP Alex Speas has held opposing hitters to a .153 BA (9-59) in 15 relief app. with Frisco and holds a 1.93 ERA (2 ER/9.1 IP) this month to pace the ‘Riders. RHP Ryan Garcia (1-3, 6.91) has a 1.80 ERA (2 ER/10.0 IP) will make his 9th start on Tuesday vs. San Antonio.

High Class-A Hickory (16-25): Hickory opens up a series with Greenville this week. SS Max Acosta (.314) currently holds an 8-game hit streak, finishing last week 9-for-16 (.563 BA) with multiple hits in 3 straight contests. OF Abimelec Ortiz has posted a .286/.333/1.000/1.333 slash line since his promotion to Hickory on 5/23 with 3 HR and 10 RBI. OF Daniel Mateo finished with hits in all 3 games last week. RHP Josh Stephan, who has 4 quality starts this season, currently leads the South Atlantic League with 0.78 WHIP. LHP Mitch Bratt (0-2, 3.49) will start the series opener at Greenville.

Low Class-A Down East (23-18): Down East split a series with Carolina last week and will face Columbia this week. OF Yosy Galan (.228 BA) leads the team with six home runs long balls. RHP Joseph Montalvo (W, 5.0 IP, 0 R-ER, 5 SO) and RHP Brock Porter (3.0 IP, 0 R-ER, 4 SO) each gave the Woodies strong starts on Wednesday and Friday respectively. Porter extended his scoreless inning streak to 20.2 IP dating back to 4/17 while his ERA has dipped from 3.38 to 1.07 over that span, currently the lowest in the Carolina League (min. 25 IP). Down East holds the lowest team starter ERA (2.83) in the CL, led by Porter (1.07), RHP DJ McCarty (1.54), Montalvo (2.08), RHP Aidan Curry (2.78), and RHP Jose Corniell (3.38) who is Tuesday's starter vs. Columbia.

Games for May 29

Triple-A Round Rock (27-23): A pair of 3-run home runs by rehabbing Rangers catcher Mitch Garver (6th inn.) and CF Rafael Ortega (9th inn.) powered Round Rock to an 11-8 victory over Albuquerque. Garver has batted .385 (5- 13) with 2 HR, 2 2B, 4 RBI, and 3 BB/3 SO over 4 rehab starts (2-C, 2-DH). 2B Justin Foscue (2-for-4, BB, R), 1B Blaine Crim (3-for-5, 2B, RBI, 2 R), and LF Sandro Fabian (2-for-5, 2B, RBI, R) each posted multi-hit efforts. RHP Kyle Cody (ND, 4.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R-ER, 0 BB, 5 SO, 2 HR) shouldered the majority of the innings behind opener LHP Jake Latz (1.0 IP, 2 SO), but it was RHP Marc Church (1.1 IP, 2 R-ER, 2 SO) who took the win. 

Double-A Frisco (20-24): Frisco lost to Arkansas, 8-4, in the series finale. Frisco starter LHP Matt Brosky (L, 3.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R-ER, 3 BB, 2 SO, 2 HR) took the loss in his Double-A debut. 2B Thomas Saggese (1-for-3, 2 BB, RBI, R) reached base 3 times via single and a pair of walks, improving his slash line in May to .362/.413/.521/.934 (34-94) over 23 G. RHP Alex Speas (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 SO) punched out 3 of 4 batters faced in a scoreless frame of relief to drop his season ERA to 1.10 (2 ER/16.1 IP). 

High Class-A Hickory (16-25): The Crawdads were rained out for a 2nd straight day on Sunday, and will now play 2 games against the Asheville Tourists at a later date. Hickory will hit the road for a 2-city, 12-game trip at Greenville (6 G) and Rome (6 G) beginning on Tuesday. 

Low Class-A Down East (24-18): Both games of Down East’s doubleheader at Carolina were canceled due to inclement weather. The Woodies have not played since Friday due to rain-induced postponements and cancelations. They return to action on Tuesday for the opener of a 6-game home series with the Columbia Fireflies.

Games for May 26

Triple-A Round Rock: Round Rock lost to Albuquerque, 4-1, with DH Sam Huff’s (1-for-3, HR, RBI) home run in the 7th inning accounting for the Express’ only offensive production. LHP Josh Dye (L, 2.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R-ER) suffered the loss while RHP Tyler Zombro (1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 SO) tossed his 2nd consecutive scoreless outing since his season debut on 5/23.

Double-A Frisco: The RoughRiders scored eight runs in the second inning but still had to outlast Arkansas, 10-9. RHP Theo McDowell (W, 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R-ER, 4 SO) earned the win in relief after striking out 4 of 8 BF. RF Trevor Hauver (2-for-4, BB, 3B, HR, 4 RBI) drove in a quartet of runs and is 7-for-14 (.500 BA) with a homer and 8 RBI across his last 4 games…2B Thomas Saggese (3-for-6, 2 2B, 2 RBI) notched a pair of doubles, while C Liam Hicks (2-for-4, BB, 2B, RBI) has hits in 5 of 9 G since his promotion to the ‘Riders on 5/10. 

High Class-A Hickory: The Crawdads won, 9-2, as LHP Larson Kiendreich (W, 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R-ER, 4 SO) hurled 5.0 scoreless innings and struck out four batters. 1B Abimelec Ortiz (1-for-4, BB, 2B, RBI) tallied an RBI double in the 8th inning, and has now driven in a run in 6 straight games (.350 BA, 4 HR, 13 RBI). C Tucker Mitchell (1-for2, 3 BB) reached in 4 of 5 PA while DH Max Acosta (2-for-5) finished with a pair of hits. RHP Bradford Webb (3.0 IP, 1 H, 5 SO) punched out 5 of 10 BF (50%). 

Low Class-A Down East: Down East lost, 4-2, to Carolina. LF Yosy Galan (1-for-4, HR, RBI) smashed his 6th homer of the season. 3B Gleider Figuereo (1-for-3, RBI) tacked on another run on a sac fly, driving in 2B Danyer Cueva (1-for-4, 2B). RHP Brock Porter hurled 3.0 perfect innings (3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R-ER, 4 SO) to extend his scoreless inning streak to 20.2 dating back to 4/17. his ERA has dipped from 3.38 to 1.07 over that span, currently the lowest in the Carolina League (min. 25 IP).

Games for May 25

Triple-A Round Rock (25-22): SS Davis Wendzel’s (2-for-4, 2 BB, 2 HR, 5 RBI) career-high 5 RBI propelled Round Rock to an 18-6 victory over Albuquerque on Thursday night. Round Rock has homered in 11 straight games. RF Elier Hernandez (2-for-6, 2B, HR, 2 RBI) and LF Josh Sale (2-for-4, 2 BB, HR, 2 RBI) also left the yard. RHP James Marvel (9 H, 4 R-ER) was picked up by the offense in his 4th start for the Express, but RHP Chase Lee (W, 1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R-ER, 1 BB, 2 SO, 24 pitches/14 strikes) hurled a scoreless 5th frame to improve to 2-0 on the season. 

Double-A Frisco (18-23): 1B Trevor Hauver (3-for-4, RBI) recorded Frisco’s lone RBI as the RoughRiders fell, 8-2, at Arkansas. DH Dustin Harris (2-for-3, BB, 2B) reached in 3 of 4 PA as he scored both runs. LF Aaron Zavala (1-for-4) and CF Evan Carter (1-for-4, 2B) recorded the other two Frisco hits. RHP Owen White took the loss (L, 4.0 IP, 6 H, 4 RER, 5 BB, 5 SO). RHP Alex Speas (1.0 IP, 2 SO) tossed a perfect inning of relief to lower his season ERA to 1.17, the 3rd -lowest mark in the Texas League (min. 10 IP). 

High Class-A Hickory (15-25): Hickory had its 3-game winning streak snapped in extra innings as the Crawdads pitching staff surrendered 23 hits in a 12-9 loss to Asheville. DH Abimelec Ortiz (2-for-5, 2 HR, 4 RBI) homered twice in the loss, and has 3 HR and 9 RBI with a 1.508 OPS in 3 G since his promotion to Hickory on 5/23. RHP Gavin Collyer (L, 1.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER) was shelled for 4 runs in the 10th frame as he fell to 0-5 in 2023. 

Low Class-A Down East (23-17): Down East loaded the bases in the 9th inning with no outs, but was unable to scrape any runs across in a 5-0 loss to Carolina. The Woodies were no-hit through 8 innings before 2B Danyer Cueva (1-for-4) and DH Ian Moller (1-for-4) mustered the only 2 hits of the game following a walk from CF Yeison Morrobel (0-for-3, BB). RHP Luis Ramirez (L, 4.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R-ER, 1 BB, 2 SO) suffered the defeat as his season ERA climbed to 3.44…RHP Nick Lockhart (1.0 IP, 2 SO) punched out 2 of 4 BF in a scoreless inning of relief.

Games for May 23

Triple-A Round Rock (24-21): Round Rock lost 13-4 to Albuquerque on Tuesday. SS Davis Wendzel (2-for-3, BB, HR, 2 RBI) notched his third multi-hit game in the last 5 days. 3B Justin Foscue (1-for-5, RBI) drove in Round Rock’s other run. RHP Kyle Cody (L, 3.1 IP, 8 H, 6 R-ER, 1 BB, 2 SO) was shelled in his 4th loss this season, alongside recent call-up RHP Grant Wolfram (1.0 IP, 7 H, 7 R-ER, 0 BB, 0 SO).

Double-A Frisco (17-21): Frisco defeated Arkansas, 2-1. A go-ahead 2-run single from 1B Trevor Hauver (1-for-4, 2 RBI) The RoughRiders mustered just four hits, as SS Luisangel Acuña (1-for-3, BB), DH Evan Carter (1-for-4), and 2B Thomas Saggese (1-for-2, BB, 2B) joined Hauver. Acuña stole his 18th base of the season which is tied for the most in the Texas League. RHP Jack Leiter (4.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R-ER, 7 BB, 4 SO) allowed a run in the 1st inning but proceeded to rebound with 3.0 scoreless frames…RHP Alex Speas (1.0 IP, 3 K) and LHP Antoine Kelly (S, 1.0 IP, 3 K) each struck out the side in their relief appearances. 

High Class-A Hickory (14-24) Hickory defeated Asheville, 6-3. 1B Abimelec Ortiz (1-for-4,HR, 3 RBI) launched a go-ahead 3-R home run in his first game with Hickory. Ortiz, who was called up on 5/23 to High-A, gave the squad its second straight win. DH Tucker Mitchell (1-for-2, BB, 2B, RBI) earned a promotion alongside Ortiz and immediately made an impact, driving a run in on a sac fly in the 5th inning. SS Max Acosta (1- for-3, BB, 2B, RBI) brought in the Crawdads other run with an RBI double. RHP Winston Santos (W, 5.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R-ER, 3 BB, 6 SO) struck out 6 batters in 5.2 IP to secure the win. 

Low Class-A Down East (22-16): Down East defeated Carolina, 9-5. 3B Gleider Figuereo (3-for-4, HR, 4 RBI) drove in a quartet of runs. He has hits in 15 of 18 G in May to raise his average by nearly 100 points…2B Cam Cauley (3-for-4, BB, 2B, RBI) hit his 5th double of the season. CF Anthony Gutierrez (2-for-5, RBI) and RF Yeison Morrobel (2-for-4, BB) each finished with a pair of hits. Despite allowing 3 ER, RHP Jacob Maton (W, 2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R-ER, 1 BB, 3 SO) earned the win for the Wood Ducks.

May 22: Chase Lee, who is pitching for the Triple-A Round Rock Express, was named the Pacific Coast League's Pitcher of the Week on Monday. 

The award was given for the games of May 15-21. 

Lee threw six scoreless innings in three relief appearances last week. He recorded a save, gave up three hits and two walks while striking out eight. He allowed batters to hit .150 against him. 

Lee (1-0) has a 3.91 ERA this season, having given up 11 earned runs in 25 1/3 innings pitched. He's thrown in 15 games (one start) and struck out 33 batters, which is 30.8 percent of the 107 hitters he's faced. His 11.72 strikeouts per 9.0 innings figure ranks 5th among PCL pitchers (min. 20.0 IP).

Round Rock is in Albuquerque starting Tuesday.

Lee is among a group of minor-league relievers the Rangers could consider promoting to aid their struggling bullpen.

Games of May 20

Triple-A Round Rock (23-20): Round Rock defeated El Paso, 6-5, on 1B Blaine Crim’s walk-off RBI single. Crim’s game-winning knock came as part of a 2-run, 3-hit rally in the 9th inning, with C Sam Huff working a bases-loaded walk to tie the game at 5-5...Round Rock deployed 5 pitchers in a “bullpen game”, highlighted by a 2.1-inn. effort by RHP Grant Anderson (2 H, 2 R-ER, 0 BB, 5 SO). 

Double-A Frisco (17-20): Frisco rallied from six runs down to beat Amarillo, 8-7. CF Evan Carter (4-for-6, RBI, SB, K) capped a 4-hit showing with a walk-off RBI single in extras innings. Carter has multiple hits in each of his last 3 G at .615 (8-13), raising his season BA from .267 to .302. C Liam Hicks (3-for-5, HR, 2B, 5 RBI, R, K) keyed Frisco’s comeback with a grand slam (2) in the 6th inning. LHP Antoine Kelly (W, 2.0 IP, 0 H, 1 R-0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO) was awarded the win after tossing 2.0 no-hit frames in the 8th and 9th innings.

High Class-A Hickory (12-24): Hickory lost to Rome, 10-6, and has now lost 13 straight and 20 of its last 23. LHP Larson Kindreich (L, 1.2 IP, 5 H, 7 R-6 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO) was shelled in his 8th app. (5th start) of the season. C Cody Freeman (4-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, R, BB, SB), RF Alejandro Osuna (3-for-5, RBI, R), and 2B Jayce Easley (3-for-5, R) combined for 10 of the Crawdads’ 14 hits. 

Low Class-A Down East (20-16): Down East split a doubleheader with Fayetteville, losing Game 1, 2-1, and winning Game 2, 4-3. RHP Brock Porter (ND, 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 SO) started for the Wood Ducks in the opener, tossing 2.2 scoreless frames to lower his season ERA from 1.37 to 1.21. LHP Dylan MacLean (ND, 4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R-ER, 1 BB, 6 SO) recorded season-high 6 strikeouts as he Woodies’ Game 2 starter. SS Cameron Cauley (1-for-3, HR, RBI, R, K) and 1B Abimelec Ortiz (2-for-3, HR, RBI, 2 R, K) each connected for solo home runs in the 2nd contest, their 3rd and 7th long balls of the season, respectively. RHP Jose Corniell (W, 3.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R-0 ER, 0 BB, 7 SO) closed the game by fanning 7 of 12 batters faced in relief to earn the win.

Games of May 19

Triple-A Round Rock (22-20): Round Rock beat El Paso, 12-2, to snap a 10-game losing streak. RHP James Marvel (1-1, 3.77) earned his first victory of the season after tossing 5.1 innings of 2-run ball. SS Davis Wendzel (2-5, R, 2B, HR, 4 RBI) homered for the second consecutive night and collected a season-high 4 RBI. 3B Justin Foscue (4-5, R, BB, 2 RBI) and DH Sam Huff (4-5, R, 2B, 3 RBI) each posted a quartet of hits. 

Double-A Frisco (16-20): Frisco lost to Amarillo, 2-1. RHP Owen White (1-1, 3.72) shouldered the tough-luck loss, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits over 5.0 innings. CF Evan Carter drove home the ‘Riders lone run – a 3rd-inning single that tied the contest at 1. 

High Class-A Hickory (12-23): Hickory lost to Rome, 1-0, to lose its 12th straight game. Crawdads starter RHP Josh Stephan dazzled, however, fanning 7 and yielding just a pair of hits across 6.0 scoreless frames.

Low Class-A Down East (19-15): Saturday's game with Fayetteville was rained out. CF Yeison Morrobel is Down East’s hottest hitter, carrying a 7-game hitting streak (since 5/2) over which he’s slashing .400/.444/.560/1.004 (10-25) to raise his season BA from .163 to .243.

Games of May 18

Triple-A Round Rock (21-20): Round Rock lost to El Paso, 4-1. The Express have lost 10 games in a row. RHP Robert Dugger (L, 5.2 IP, 2 R-ER, 4 BB, 6 SO, 1 HR) took the loss. SS Davis Wendzel (1-4, HR, RBI, R, K) scored and drove in Round Rock's only run. 2B Jonathan Ornelas (2-for-3, 2 BB, K) reached base 4 times (2 1B, 2 BB) out of the leadoff spot, and is batting .391 (9-23) with 4 2B over his last 6 G.

Double-A Frisco (16-19): Frisco defeated Amarillo, 7-1. Eight of the nine batters in the ‘Riders’ starting lineup recorded hits, with RF Aaron Zavala (2-for-4, HR, RBI, K), 2B Thomas Saggese (3-for-4, HR, RBI, K), and DH Evan Carter (2-for-4) leading the charge. Zavala, the no. 8 prospect in Texas’ farm system (MLB Pipeline), has gone 4-for-8 in 2 G this season after returning from offseason surgery on his right elbow. Frisco starter Ryan Garcia (W, 5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R-ER, 1 BB, 4 SO, 1 HR) earned his first career Double-A win.

High Class-A Hickory (12-22): Hickory lost to Rome, 4-3, and has lost 11 straight and 18 of its last 21. RHP Matt Brosky (L, 3.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R-3 ER, 4 BB, 3 SO) took the loss. Hickory combined for 6 hits (all singles), 2 of which came courtesy of LF Geisel Cepeda (2-for-4, RBI). The 25-year-old has batted .325 (13-40) over 11 G this month, and has more walks (13) than strikeouts across 24 G this season. 

Low Class-A Down East (19-15): Down East lost 5-0 to Fayetteville. RHP Leandro Lopez (ND, 4.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 SO) did not factor into the decision. CF Yeison Morrobel (2-for-3, 2B, BB) extended his 7-game hitting streak. The 19-year-old has slashed .400/.444/.560/1.004 (10-25) over the course of the streak to raise his season BA from .163 to .243. RHP Josh Gessner (L, 0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R-ER, 3 BB, 1 SO) was charged with the loss.

Games of May 16

Triple-A Round Rock (21-18): Round Rock lost to El Paso on Tuesday. The Express have dropped eight straight games. SS Jonathan Ornelas recorded a pair of doubles and an RBI; he’s now hit safely in 4 straight games (since 5/12; .428 avg. in span). RHP Kyle Cody (0-3, 6.83) shouldered his 3rd loss of the season, permitting 8 runs (7 ER) on 9 hits (1 HR) across 3.0 innings of work.

Double-A Frisco (14-19):  Frisco defeated Amarillo, 3-2. RHP Tekoah Roby (1-3, 6.11) did not factor into the decision, despite posting his first quality start of the season and carrying a no-hit bid into the 7th frame. RHP Marc Church (W, 1.2 IP, 4 SO) got the win. Frisco’s offense was paced by LF Dustin Harris (3-4, HR, RBI), who produced his 3rd 3-hit effort of ’23, including the eventual game-winning home run in the 8th.

High Class-A Hickory (12-20): Hickory lost to Rome, 7-3, and has lost nine straight. OF Daniel Mateo (2-4, HR, 2 RBI) launched his 4th homer of the season and has recorded hits in 12 of his last 13 and 16 of his last 18 G (since 4/23) to bump his season BA from .234 to .271. RHP Mitch Bratt (0-2, 3.91) took his 2nd loss after permitting 3 R/ER on a season-high 9 hits (1 HR) with 2 walks and 7 strikeouts.

Low Class-A Down East (19-13): Down East defeated Fayetteville, 10-0. The Woodies' offensive attack was powered by a trio of 2-run homers from OF Yeison Morrobel (4th inn.), 2B Danyer Cueva (4th inn.) and SS Cameron Cauley (7th inn.). RHP D.J. McCarty (1-1, 0.92) picked up his first professional victory at a full-season minors level.

May 16: Tekoah Roby, the Texas Rangers' No. 11 overall prospect, took a no-hitter into the seventh inning during a day game for the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders on Tuesday. 

Roby tied his season-high with eight strikeouts in the contest as he left after pitching 6 1/3 innings. 

Roby eventually gave up two hits, two runs and a walk before leaving the game. He ended up with a no-decision, as Frisco beat Amarillo, 3-2. 

In the first inning Roby hit a batter and then walked a batter. After that, he retired 18 straight batters before giving up a triple and a home run in the top of the seventh. 

May 15: Texas Rangers general manager Chris Young said on Monday that one of the Rangers' Top 30 prospects, outfielder Aaron Zavala, would probably make an appearance at Double-A Frisco this week as he has completed his rehab from offseason surgery.

Zavala was diagnosed with a torn UCL and underwent internal brace UCL repair surgery after playing five games in the Arizona Fall League. 

Last season in the minor leagues, he started the season at High Class-A Hickory and ended it at Double-A Frisco. He batted .277 overall with 16 home runs and 62 RBI. He is the No. 8 prospect in the organization after being taken in the second round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of Oregon. 

"Aaron will be joining Frisco this week," Young said. "I believe it's [Tuesday]." 

The RoughRiders have an off-day on Monday.

Catch up with Inside the Rangers on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram.

Published
Inside The Rangers Staff
INSIDE THE RANGERS STAFF

Home/News