Results tagged ‘ Frisco RoughRiders ’
‘Riders Rehabbers: Colby Lewis & A.J. Pierzynski
Texas Rangers pitcher Colby Lewis will start for the RoughRiders this morning against the San Antonio Missions. Lewis is currently on the Rangers’ 15-day disabled list and is working to return to the major leagues after suffering a torn flexor tendon in his right elbow last season.
The Rangers’ 2012 Opening Day starting pitcher suffered a tear in his right elbow last July and attempted to pitch through the injury before exacerbating it in his final start of the season on July 18 in Oakland. The right-hander was 6-6 with a 3.43 ERA in 16 starts for Texas before going on the disabled list.
Lewis made one rehab start this season with the Round Rock Express on May 9, but suffered from triceps tendonitis after the outing and the Rangers temporarily shut down his assignment.
Rangers’ catcher A.J. Pierzynski will be the designated hitter today as he continues his rehab assignment with the RoughRiders suffering from a strained right oblique muscle. Though he won’t be catching for Lewis, it will be great to see two future Rangers battery mates in RoughRiders uniforms. This is the first time either player has appeared with the ‘Riders.
Pierzynski made an appearance in yesterday’s RoughRiders game against the Missions, playing through five innings. He threw out two attempted steals and was 0-3 at the plate. In his first season with the Rangers, the catcher has played in 26 games and is batting .263 with four home runs, a triple, 11 RBI and nine runs scored. The two-time All-Star is in his 16th Major League season and signed a one-year contract with Texas this past off-season following an eight-year stint with the White Sox.
Baseball Term of the Day: Screecher: A hard hit line drive
-Ryan
‘Riders on the Record: a PA legend, the Art of Catching, and a Rangers rehabber
‘Riders on the Record is a weekly rundown of the pre-game interviews record by broadcasters Alex Vispoli and Nathan Barnett with RoughRiders players and coaches and occasionally a special guest. You can find all previous editions by clicking here.
From a road trip ending chat with the manager, to the stories of one of the longest-tenured RoughRiders employees, and a few things in between, this week provides a great variety of voices for ‘Riders on the Record. Highlights include Wilmer Font talking about his slider and changeup, John Clemens’ impressions of Cal Ripken Jr. as a minor league ballplayer, and Rangers Catching Instructor Hector Ortiz explaining the developmental ladder of catching in the Texas system.
Happy Sunday and enjoy!
Sunday, May 12, 2013 – Manager Steve Buechele
In their Sunday conversation, Alex asks ‘Riders manager Steve Buechele about the state of the rotation and the taxed bullpen. Fresh off a temporary stint as the Rangers first base coach while the team was in Houston, Buechele shares his experiences from the weekend and talks about his offseason interview with the Colorado Rockies for their managerial opening. (w/ Alex Vispoli)
Monday, May 13, 2013 – 1B Brett Nicholas
First baseman Brett Nicholas, carrying the team offensively the last few ballgames talks about his career high home run output. Struggling against lefties, Nicholas explains how he can get better in that department and how is he has been better over his career against lefties. (w/ Nathan Barnett)
Tuesday, May 14, 2013 – RHP Wilmer Font
Frisco flamethrower Wilmer Font joined us for the first time this season and talked about where he feels physically at this early point in the season. He explains his mix of pitches, how and when he uses them, and the plan moving forward with his secondary stuff. He also talks about his relationship with Martin Perez, who, at the time, was on the ‘Riders roster on his way back from a wrist injury sustained in Spring Training. (w/ Nathan)
Wednesday, May 15, 2013 – Public Address Announcer John Clemens
John Clemens is celebrating his tenth season as the Frisco RoughRiders public address announcer. A lifelong fan and student of the game, John is rich with stories and talks about his days in minor league baseball in the Northeast when he saw Cal Ripken Jr. as a young player. He explains how he got into the business and who inspired him. (w/ Nathan)
Thursday, May 16, 2013 – OF Teodoro Martinez
Teodoro Martinez, after a slow start, has emerged as one of the most consistent ‘Riders hitters. Coming off his first multi-homer game of his career, he talks about his improved approach over the last month. He talks about his relationship with his family, including his brother Jose who plays minor league baseball in the Braves system. (w/ Nathan)
Friday, May 17, 2013 – Rangers Catching Instructor Hector Ortiz
Rangers Catching Instructor Hector Ortiz was kind enough to join us for the pre-game show during the home stand to talk about the progression of Tomas Telis and the development of catchers in the Rangers system. He spoke briefly about top Rangers catching prospect Jorge Alfaro, playing in Hickory, as well as the general path of catchers in the system: how they move up and what plateaus they need to reach to go from level to level. He also explains the role of new special assistant Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez. (w/ Nathan)
Saturday, May 18, 2013 – MLB Rehabber, RHP Justin Miller
Justin Miller sits down with Nathan Barnett after his first professional inning since 2011, beginning his rehab appearances coming back from Tommy John surgery. A standout for Frisco in 2011, Miller missed the entire 2012 season after undergoing surgery in April of 2012. He talks about his rehab program, how each step went, and where he feels physically now that he is back out on a mound. (w/ Nathan)
- Nathan
Baseball term of the day: wing – throwing arm, usually used in reference to a pitcher’s arm
We’ve got your horse right here: Preakness Edition
Looking for a horse to pull for today? Choose the horse of your favorite ‘Rider!
Newcomer Phil Klein took the Derby, as he was the only ‘Rider to select Orb in the Kentucky Derby contest. With a smaller field in the Preakness, we should have a couple winners this time around…that is unless Departing takes the stakes–only utility infielder Guilder Rodriguez has the 6:1 three-year-old in the fourth position.
Five ‘Riders, all pitchers incidentally, took the chalk with Orb, but another five went with Rick Pitino’s horse Goldencents.
Like last time, the players were given a list of the names of the horses and were told nothing of the odds or their post position. Brett Nicholas, who took the alternate horse in the Derby, selected Governor Charlie in part because no one else had at the time of selection. It’s Jared Hoying’s birthday today, so he went with Itsmyluckyday in honor of the special date. Even Justin Miller weighed in yesterday, selecting Itsmyluckyday as well before he went out and tossed a perfect inning in his first outing since undergoing “Tommy John” surgery last April.
Enjoy the race today, which begins at 3:30 central (and then check out the ‘Riders game at 7:00 pm at Dr Pepper Ballpark, on KTXD or at RidersBaseball.com!). Without further ado…here they are!
The 2013 Frisco RoughRiders
Pick the Preakness Stakes Winner
(GARRY JONES/AP)
***Post Position – Horse – Odds – RoughRiders player who selected it***
***(odds of winning as of May 18, 12:00 am CT)***
#1 – Orb – 1:1 – RHP Phil Klein (had Orb in Derby), RHP Roman Mendez, LHP Richard Bleier, RHP Kevin Pucetas, RHP Tyler Tufts
#2 – Goldencents - 8:1 – C Zach Zaneski, RHP Carlos Pimentel, RHP Ryan Rodebaugh, SS Hanser Alberto, C Tomas Telis
#3 – Titletown Five – 30:1 – RHP Wilmer Font, RHP Arlett Mavare
#4 – Departing – 6:1 – UTIL Guilder Rodriguez
#5 – Mylute - 5:1 – RHP Randy Henry, 3B/OF Alejandro Selen
#6 – Oxbow – 15:1 – LHP Jimmy Reyes, 2B Odubel Herrera, OF Chih-Hsien Chiang, RHP Ben Rowen
#7 – Will Take Charge - 12:1 – OF Teodoro Martinez, RHP Neil Ramirez
#8 – Governor Charlie – 12:1 – 1B / C Brett Nicholas, RHP Kyle McClellan
#9 – Itsmyluckyday - 10:1 – OF Ryan Strausborger, OF Jared Hoying, RHP Justin Miller (MLB rehab assignment)
- Nathan
Baseball term of the day: garden - the outfield
Meet Richard Bleier (Again)
The Frisco roster once again sits at 25 players this week for the first time since the departure of Jake Brigham, Alex Buchholz and Ryan Feierabend. The addition of Richard Bleier, courtesy of the Round Rock Express, brings the roster back to the league limit and bloats the pitching staff to fourteen members.
Bleier is set to make his 2013 ‘Riders debut Thursday, toeing the rubber for Steve Buechele’s squad in the finale of the four-game set with the Midland RockHounds. Bleier, 26, suits up for the RoughRiders for the fourth consecutive season, spending his entire 2010, 2011 and 2012 with Frisco. A starting pitcher for his entire romp through the minors, the southpaw pitched exclusively out of the bullpen for the first time in his pro career at the end of last summer.
Rehabbing an elbow strain that kept him out of the early part of the 2012 campaign, Bleier was activated on June 21 of last season and went immediately into a relief role for the Double-A club, a position he became familiar with at the close of the 2011 season. The control artist didn’t possess quite the command he had previously in his career (2.0 BB/9, vs. 1.5 BB/9 for career coming into 2013), but he was still relatively sharp (for perspective, Frisco has walked 3.7 BB/9 as a team this season).
The sinkerballer pitched out of the bullpen this past winter in the World Baseball Classic qualifiers with Team Israel. Along with Texas Leaguers Cody Decker, Ben Orloff, Jeff Urlaub and Robbie Widlansky, of course not to mention former RockHound, now Oakland Athletic, Nate Freiman, Bleier and Team Israel went 2-1 in qualifying play but was beat out by Spain who, also 2-1, had a higher run differential. In two outings, Bleier held the opposition scoreless and hitless in an inning of work and walked two batters in international play.
Bleier spent his college days at Florida Gulf Coast University, the school pushed into the spotlight in March as “Dunk City” for its high-flying hardwood ways. Taken in the sixth round in 2008, the former Eagle was the highest draft pick in school history at the time. Chris Sale (Chicago White Sox) and Casey Coleman (Chicago Cubs) are the only Eagles to make the majors, and Sale is now the highest draft choice in school history, going 13th overall in the 2010 draft.
The Floridian Bleier opened 2013 getting the chance to pitch at the Triple-A level for the first time in his career. In a small sample, the walk-bug hit Bleier harder than it has in his career (7 BB in 19.0 IP — 3.3 BB/9), but he limited damage in his eight outings, including two starts, posting a 1-1 record with a 3.79 ERA.
| Year | Tm | Lev | W | L | G | GS | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Spokane | A- | 4 | 5 | 4.02 | 14 | 11 | 62.2 | 61 | 41 | 28 | 4 | 14 | 44 | 1.197 | 2.0 | 6.3 |
| 2009 | 2 Teams | A+-A | 9 | 12 | 4.03 | 28 | 26 | 167.1 | 184 | 96 | 75 | 9 | 24 | 125 | 1.243 | 1.3 | 6.7 |
| 2009 | Hickory | A | 2 | 1 | 1.14 | 5 | 4 | 23.2 | 19 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 17 | 0.972 | 1.5 | 6.5 |
| 2009 | Bakersfield | A+ | 7 | 11 | 4.51 | 23 | 22 | 143.2 | 165 | 88 | 72 | 9 | 20 | 108 | 1.288 | 1.3 | 6.8 |
| 2010 | Frisco | AA | 7 | 11 | 5.04 | 28 | 28 | 164.1 | 191 | 98 | 92 | 13 | 28 | 82 | 1.333 | 1.5 | 4.5 |
| 2011 | Frisco | AA | 7 | 8 | 5.60 | 32 | 13 | 101.1 | 142 | 73 | 63 | 5 | 16 | 55 | 1.559 | 1.4 | 4.9 |
| 2012 | Frisco | AA | 0 | 2 | 3.94 | 22 | 0 | 32.0 | 34 | 15 | 14 | 3 | 7 | 17 | 1.281 | 2.0 | 4.8 |
| 2013 | Round Rock | AAA | 1 | 1 | 3.79 | 8 | 2 | 19.0 | 23 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 1.579 | 3.3 | 3.8 |
| 6 Seasons | 28 | 39 | 4.61 | 132 | 80 | 546.2 | 635 | 332 | 280 | 35 | 96 | 331 | 1.337 | 1.6 | 5.4 | ||
| AA (3 seasons) | AA | 14 | 21 | 5.11 | 82 | 41 | 297.2 | 367 | 186 | 169 | 21 | 51 | 154 | 1.404 | 1.5 | 4.7 | |
| A (1 season) | A | 2 | 1 | 1.14 | 5 | 4 | 23.2 | 19 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 17 | 0.972 | 1.5 | 6.5 | |
| A- (1 season) | A- | 4 | 5 | 4.02 | 14 | 11 | 62.2 | 61 | 41 | 28 | 4 | 14 | 44 | 1.197 | 2.0 | 6.3 | |
| AAA (1 season) | AAA | 1 | 1 | 3.79 | 8 | 2 | 19.0 | 23 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 1.579 | 3.3 | 3.8 | |
| A+ (1 season) | A+ | 7 | 11 | 4.51 | 23 | 22 | 143.2 | 165 | 88 | 72 | 9 | 20 | 108 | 1.288 | 1.3 | 6.8 | |
It remains to be seen if Bleier will stick in the Frisco rotation, which at the moment, has just three starters from the Opening Day roster with Carlos Pimentel, Kevin Pucetas and Neil Ramirez, or if Bleier moves back into the relief role that has defined his career the last season and a half. Of course he could be back on the shuttle to Triple-A soon enough as well.
After two late morning affairs, first pitch from Dr Pepper Ballpark is scheduled Thursday for 7:00 pm.
- Nathan
Baseball term of the day: barbering – chatting, as one is likely to do in a barber’s shop
Home Sweet Home: Day baseball aplenty and the return of Richard Bleier
The Frisco RoughRiders return home in second place in the Texas League, trailing only their opponent from this past weekend, the Corpus Christi Hooks. The ‘Riders split the four-game series with the Astros affiliate.
Today, they begin a four-game series with the Midland RockHounds, the Double-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. This is the first trip of the season for the RockHounds to Dr Pepper Ballpark; the two teams got acquainted last week when Frisco dropped three of four games at Citibank Ballpark in Midland.
The RoughRiders announced today that Richard Bleier has been added to the roster, received from Triple-A Round Rock, where he began the season. Bleier threw for the RoughRiders in each of the last three seasons. We will have more on him later in the week; he is projected to start on Thursday.
Richard Bleier returns to Frisco this home stand, having made eight appearances for the Triple-A Round Rock Express thus far.
This is how the pitching matchups line up:
Monday: Tyler Tufts vs. Zach Neal
Tuesday: Neil Ramirez vs. Arnold Leon
Wednesday: Kevin Pucetas vs. Sean Murphy
Thursday: Richard Bleier vs. TBA
Home stand promotions and broadcast info:
Monday, May 13 | 7:00 p.m. | RoughRiders vs. Midland RockHounds (Oakland Athletics)
Radio: RidersBaseball.com Webstream: MiLB.tv
Tuesday, May 14 | 11:00 a.m. | RoughRiders vs. Midland RockHounds (Oakland Athletics)
Radio: RidersBaseball.com Webstream: MiLB.tv
Wednesday, May 15 | 11:00 a.m. | RoughRiders vs. Midland RockHounds (Oakland Athletics)
Radio: RidersBaseball.com Webstream: MiLB.tv
Promotions (click here and also here for more details):
- Dollar Dog Night
- RoughRiders Horse Race presented by Whataburger
Thursday, May 16 | 7:00 p.m. | RoughRiders vs. Midland RockHounds (Oakland Athletics)
Radio: RidersBaseball.com Webstream: MiLB.tv
Promotions (click here and also here for more details):
- $1 Dr Pepper Thursdays
- RoughRiders Horse Race presented by Whataburger
Friday, May 17 | 7:00 p.m. | RoughRiders vs. San Antonio Missions (San Diego Padres)
Radio: RidersBaseball.com Webstream: MiLB.tv
Promotions (click here and also here for more details):
- Friday Night Post-game fireworks
- RoughRiders Horse Race presented by Whataburger
- Smashburger SMASH inning
Saturday, May 18 | 7:00 p.m. | RoughRiders vs. San Antonio Missions (San Diego Padres)
TV: KTXD Radio: RidersBaseball.com Webstream: MiLB.tv
Promotions (click here and also here for more details):
- Free ‘Riders sunshade
FREE SUNSHADES!
Sunday, May 19 | 4:00 p.m. | RoughRiders vs. San Antonio Missions (San Diego Padres)
TV: KTXD Radio: RidersBaseball.com Webstream: MiLB.tv
Promotions (click here and also here for more details)
- Kids Run the Bases
- Raising Cane’s Grand Slam Sunday
- RoughRiders Horse Race presented by Whataburger
Monday, May 20 | 11:00 a.m. | RoughRiders vs. San Antonio Missions (San Diego Padres)
Radio: RidersBaseball.com Webstream: MiLB.tv
For information on tickets to see the RoughRiders in 2013, please call (972) 731-9200, email info@ridersbaseball.com or visit www.ridersbaseball.com.
- Nathan
Baseball term of the day: radio ball – a fastball thrown so hard, the batter claims he can hear it but not see it
‘Riders on the Record: The Greatest of All-Time and the Coldest Game
‘Riders on the Record is a weekly rundown of the pre-game interviews record by broadcasters Alex Vispoli and Nathan Barnett with RoughRiders players and coaches and occasionally a special guest. You can find all previous editions by clicking here.
This week provides our first all road edition of ‘Riders on the Record. Highlights include the first Rangers rehabber in LHP Martin Perez, the Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson and the ‘Riders top position player prospect Hanser Alberto. Enjoy!
May 5, 2013 – Manager Steve Buechele
Steve Buechele talks to Alex about the great defense the ‘Riders have played to this point and the frigid conditions from Thursday night. (all entries this week w/ Alex Vispoli)
May 6, 2013 – Rangers rehabbing lefty Martin Perez
Before making his first regular season start of 2013, Martin Perez talks about his rehab after taking a line drive off of forearm in Spring Training and how is feeling as he prepares for a start with the ‘Riders.
May 7, 2013 – HOFer Rickey Henderson
Alex talked to Rickey Henderson. Come on. It’s Rickey Henderson — just click play.
May 9, 2013 – Shortstop Hanser Alberto
Hanser Alberto joins the pre-game show for the first time, talking about his first season of Double-A ball. The youngest player in the Texas League talks about playing with a bunch of older players and the origins of his leadership qualities.
May 10, 2013 – RHP Neil Ramirez
Neil Ramirez comes on to discuss his solid last outing when he struck out nine batters. He talks about the use of his curveball and how nice it is to have such an excellent bullpen behind him.
May 11, 2013 – Hooks Broadcaster Michael Coffin
The Voice of the Hooks chats with our Alex Vispoli on the state of the Texas League at the quarter-mark of the season. They talk about the down year offensively they have seen and what the piggybacking has done for the Hooks.
- Nathan
Baseball term of the day: cow’s horn - a curveball
Texas League Prospects (South Division)
Today, we look at some of the prospects in the Texas League South Division and their performance this first month and a half of play. The South Division has held the lead in the league, currently occupying the top four places in the rankings.
Corpus Christi Hooks:
George Springer, CF – Springer is ranked as the 3rd prospect by Baseball America in the Houston Astros system. The 23-year-old is also the Astros’ top outfielder. In his first year at the Double-A level, George leads the Hooks this season in runs (27), hits (35), doubles (9) home runs (11) and RBIs (27). Springer also leads the Texas League in home runs, RBIs and total bases (77).
Frisco RoughRiders:
Hanser Alberto, SS – Alberto is ranked as the 15th prospect in the Rangers’ system, and is the top ranked position player on the RoughRiders’ roster by Baseball America. Hanser has hit .289 in his 30 games this season with 114 at-bats and has had 13 runs on 33 hits with an RBI of 14. As of opening day, he was the youngest player in the Texas League and the second youngest at the Double-A level at the age of 20.
San Antonio Missions:
Matt Andriese, RHP – Andriese is ranked by Baseball America as the Padres’ 20th prospect and the ninth top pitcher in the San Diego system. The 23-year-old has gone 5-0 with an ERA of 2.19 this season with seven starts, opponents hitting .196. Andriese leads the Missions and the Texas League in wins (5).
Midland RockHounds:
Miles Head, 3B – At the age of 22, Head is ranked 7th and the top third baseman in the Oakland Athletics’ system by Baseball America. Head’s swing is quick and compact, and he has cited as having excellent bat control. Miles is hitting .206 in 28 games with 107 at-bats and has 11 runs off 22 hits. He has hit two home runs this season. In his three games against the RoughRiders, Miles had three runs with eight at-bats striking out twice and walking four times.
___
In ‘Riders News:
Coming off a 6-4 win over the Hooks last night, Frisco continues their series in Corpus Christi tonight at 7. Kevin Pucetas will start for the RoughRiders and faces Nick Tropeano.
The ‘Riders return to Dr Pepper Ballpark Monday night at 7 against the Midland RockHounds.
Baseball term of the day: Pull the trigger - to decide to swing at the pitch.
-Ryan
Tomas Telis and Randy Henry honored by Rangers
Tomas Telis and Randy Henry were honored by the Texas Rangers today, earning “Defender of the Month” and “Reliever of the Month” respectively. From the ‘Riders press release:
Henry, 22, didn’t allow an earned in the month, surrendering just one unearned run in six relief appearances, spanning 18.1 innings of work. The Shattuck, Oklahoma native struck out 20 and walked just one Texas League batter and held opponents to a .200 average (13-for-65). To date, the right-hander has posted a 1-0 record with a 0.74 ERA in eight appearances. Henry has tossed multiple innings in all but his first appearance of the season and began the year with a 12.1 innings scoreless streak.
Telis, 21, started 14 of the 25 games for the RoughRiders in the month of April as the catcher. Telis threw out 55.6% (10 CS/18 ATT) of attempted basestealers during the month with a perfect fielding percentage (140 TC). He enters Thursday having gunned down 46.2% (12 CS/26 ATT) of would-be basestealers, which is the best mark in the Texas League and third among all Double-A backstops. The switch-hitting Venezuelan is batting .247 on the season with seven runs, six doubles and 11 RBI in 19 games.
Strangely enough, despite Telis getting the bulk of the catching duties (18 starts for Telis / 12 for Zaneski / 2 for Nicholas), he has only caught Henry twice this season in his eight appearances. The first was on April 18th, Henry’s most dominating outing. He threw a then-season-high four innings (he has since eclipsed that number) and allowed one baserunner, a lone single, and fanned four Naturals in a 14-7 come-from-behind victory. His other outing working with Telis came on May 2nd against San Antonio. He was nearly as sharp, going another four frames. This time he didn’t even allow a hit. He did walk a couple batters and was charged with his first earned run of the season, but he earned his only win of the season in the 3-1 ‘Riders victory.
Last season, the ‘Riders piled up these monthly awards from their parent club. Justin Grimm won Pitcher of the Month in April, Mike Olt was Player of the Month in May and June, Engel Beltre was Defender of the Month in May, and Ryan Rodebaugh was Reliever of the Month in June.
Henry earned Reliever of the Month by the Rangers in May of last season as a member of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans.
And hey, it’s Randy’s birthday tomorrow! Happy early birthday Mr. Reliever of the Month.
- Nathan
Baseball term of the day: cherry pie – a poor hitter; an easy out
The 2013 (Nearly) Complete Twitter Guide…: Part Two – The Players
This post is a continuation of an earlier post compiling the essential Twitter handles to keep up with the Texas Rangers farm system and Texas League. You can find all entries here.
A little over a week ago, I posted twitter handles for the teams in the Texas Rangers system and the Texas league, along with broadcasters and other key employees in the league and the Rangers’ farm. Today, I submit Part Two of “The 2013 (Nearly) Complete Twitter Guide to the Frisco RoughRiders, the Texas League and the Rangers Farm System,” or TNCTG. If you want to check Part One – go here.
Today: a list of the players. This is, to my knowledge, an exhaustive list of the Frisco RoughRiders in addition to as many twitter handles I could find of Texas Rangers at the MLB and MiLB levels. As always, comment below or tweet me (@NathanSBarnett) with additional follows. I will update this as I can as the season moves along. If you want to use a list to keep track of these players, the RoughRiders Twitter handle has a 2013 RoughRiders list and I have one compiling as many current Rangers MLB and MiLB players that I can find.
_________________________
TNCTG PART TWO – The Players
(as of 05/17/13)
2013 Frisco RoughRiders
Current RoughRiders:
Hanser Alberto @elpotroalberto (#15 ranked prospect in Texas system by Baseball America)
Cody Buckel @Cheatcode07 (#8)
Randy Henry @RandyHenry51 (#29)
Odubel Herrera @odubelherrera1
Teodoro Martinez @martinezteo
Ryan Strausborger @Ryan_Straus
RoughRiders to play in 2013, now off roster:
Jake Brigham @jbrigham49 (Triple-A)
Ross Wolf @18RGW (Triple-A)
Other players in the Texas Rangers System:
MLB:
Elvis Andrus @ElvisandrusSS1
ダルビッシュ有(Yu Darvish) @faridyu
Josh Frasier @Frasier66 (bullpen catcher)
Leury Garcia @leurygarcia1 (#20)
Justin Grimm @GrimmReaper51 (#5)
Michael Kirkman @MikeKirkman50
Leonys Martin @leonys27martin (#4)
Martin Perez @MartinPerez33D (#3)
Jurickson Profar @JURICKSONPROFAR (#1 ranked prospect overall by Baseball America)
Triple-A Round Rock:
Chad Bell @ChadBell19 (Injured just before beginning of the season, finished 2012 with Express)
Lisalverto Bonilla @propecto1
Robinson Chirinos @robinson28ch
Michael Olt @molt2222 (#2)
Yangervis Solarte @yanyi26_12
Yoshinori Tateyama @tatetatetateyan
Advanced-A Myrtle Beach:
Royce Bolinger @roycebolinger
Zach Cone @ZachCone (#24)
Ryan Harvey @Hammer32jetlife
Nick Martinez @nickmartinez10 (#27)
Rougned Odor @RougnedOdor (#11)
Drew Robinson @drewrobinsonnn
Class-A Hickory Crawdads:
Jorge Alfaro @_JorgeAlfaro11 (#9)
Lewis Brinson @LewisBrinson (#12)
Coby Cowgill @CobyCowgill_RHP
C.J. Edwards @CEdwardsSBS (#14)
Joey Gallo @JoeyGallo24 (#10)
Nomar Mazara @NomarMzra26 (#16)
Connor Sadzeck @connorsadzeck
Nick Vickerson @Nick_Vickerson
Nick Williams @NW1superstar (#25)
Players yet to be assigned (either hurt or will be in either Rookie or Short-Season A)
Jairo Beras @jairoberas (#18)
Brandon Garcia @BrandonGarcia_
Ronald Guzman @_ronaldguzman (#17)
Brett Weibley @wild_stallion5
_________________________
- Nathan
Baseball term of the day: fuzzy concrete – artificial turf
‘Riders on the Record: a cold night at home and a trip westward
‘Riders on the Record is a weekly rundown of the week’s pre-game radio interviews, usually with RoughRiders players and coachs. You can find all the past entries here.
Week four of ‘Riders on the Record was nearly an all-home edition. In the midst of the RoughRiders eight-game homestand, we spoke with Tyler Tufts, Zach Zaneski and Phil Klein for the first time this year. The ‘Riders hit the road on Friday night and Alex chatted with Teodoro Martinez for the first time this year before game one of the four-game series in Midland against the RockHounds. Highlights include the Rangers outfield philosophy from Joe Mikulik, Phil Klein’s emotions when throwing a perfect game in summer collegiate baseball, and Teodoro Martinez discussing the origin of his nickname “Cafe.”
Enjoy!
April 28, 2013 - Manager Steve Buechele
The Sunday conversation with Steve Buechele followed the worst defeat of the season for the RoughRiders, an 11-0 loss to the Corpus Christi Hooks. He talks as a former player about how mentally tough it can be to come from behind when down by a big margin. He empathizes with the difficulties Cody Buckel is having this season and, conversely, examines the tremendous start of Randy Henry.
April 29, 2013 – RHP Tyler Tufts
RoughRiders pitcher Tyler Tufts has had quite the year. From a promotion to Triple-A to a life-threatening medical emergency, 2012 was a wild ride for the right-hander. He talks about the fallout from the medical emergency including a silver-lining experience he took in with his family at the ballpark he grew up going to.
April 30, 2013 – Rangers Outfield Instructor Joe Mikulik
The Texas Rangers Outfield Instructor Joe Mikulik made his first trip to Frisco during the home stand. He explained what he does and what his job entails. He talked about the progression of the outfielders from level to level and the significance of situational defense in the Texas Rangers system.
May 1, 2013 – C Zach Zaneski
RoughRiders catcher Zach Zaneski talks about what it is like to be behind the plate to catch Frisco pitching. He explains the success this season for Carlos Pimentel and the decision to call a slider on a 3-2 with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth the night before.
May 2, 2013 – RHP Phil Klein
Following his Double-A debut, a three inning outing with the Frisco RoughRiders, Phil Klein talks about his journey since his 30th round selection by the Rangers. He explains his increase in velocity and his early experiences in Texas.
May 3, 2013 – RHP Ryan Rodebaugh
After a blisteringly cold and windy day at Dr Pepper Ballpark, Ryan Rodebaugh discusses his first ever professional start in the difficult conditions. He’s asked about his college career as a starter and how he managed to block out the cold to pitch three scoreless innings in the spot-start.
May 4, 2013 – OF Teodoro Martinez
The son of a former big leaguer, Teodoro joined us on the pre-game show for the first time this season in the RoughRiders first trip to Midland. He talked about his improvement at the plate and his work with hitting coach Jason Hart. He also talks about the influence of his family on his baseball career and the notoriety of his father among baseball circles.
- Nathan
Baseball term of the day: Chin music – a pitch thrown up and inside on a hitter, usually designed to get the hitter to back off the plate
