Results tagged ‘ Phil Klein ’
‘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
May Day Roster Moves: Happy Birthday Mr. Klein
After an opening month of relative silence on the roster-move front, the Frisco RoughRiders began May with a splash of changes. April saw just three total transactions and only one moving player:
4/4 RHP Tyler Tufts (hamstring) placed on seven-day disabled list
4/9 RHP Ross Wolf promoted to Triple-A Round Rock
4/11 RHP Tyler Tufts (hamstring) activated off seven-day disabled list
Today, Jake Brigham, Alex Buchholz and Ryan Feierabend were promoted to Triple-A Round Rock. This marks the first trip for Brigham and Buchholz to the Triple-A level. Feierabend spent time in the majors with the Mariners from 2006-2008.
To help reinforce the roster, the ‘Riders were sent two players for Myrtle Beach, Phil Klein and Jose Mavare. From the ‘Riders press release:
Klein and Mavare will both be at the Double-A level for the first time. Klein was selected by the Rangers in the 30th round of the 2011 MLB Amateur June Draft out of Youngstown State University. The 24-year-old was spending his second season with the Myrtle Beach Pelicans in the Carolina League. This season the 6’7” 230 lbs. right-hander posted a 1-0 record and a 1.98 ERA with 12 strikeouts and just three walks over 13.2 innings in seven appearances in Carolina League play.
Mavare, signed as an undrafted free agent out of Venezuela in 2009, is in his fifth year of professional baseball. The 23-year-old sported a 0-1 record with a 2.38 ERA in seven outings in his first season with Myrtle Beach. He struck out 12 batters and walked three in 11.1 innings of work.
Frisco’s roster now has 24 active players, one below the Texas League limit.
Klein is not small to say the least. His 6’7″ frame makes him the tallest ‘Riders player on the roster. Font, Pucetas, Ramirez and Rowen are 6’4″ and the closest in stature to Klein. It’s was also Klein’s birthday yesterday (happy 24th!), so he’s probably feeling about as good right now as he did when he threw a perfect game in the Atlantic Coast Baseball League at age 19. Not a bad 24 hours for the young man.
Phil Klein in his Pelicans-esque Sag Harbor Whalers uniform in the ACBL (Brett Mauser)
The Ohio native, Klein has shot up the Rangers system quite a bit in the last calendar year. He was promoted to Myrtle just last August, and is now among the first duo to make it up to Frisco from the Pelicans this year. Oh, and Klein pitched for a team whose mascot was the Penguins in college, in case you were curious.
Here is a snippet of what LoneStarDugout’s Jason Cole had to say about Klein when he was promoted to Myrtle in August (click the link to read the full report):
Coming from a high three-quarters arm slot this year, Klein shows a loose arm with clean mechanics that produce an 89-92 mph fastball that has touched the occasional 93-94. He also features a short-but-late breaking slider at 83-84 mph with slight tilt.
According to Cole, Klein was sitting 91-93 with the heater and touched 94-95 at fall instructs.
Jose Mavare’s first stateside season came in 2010 with the Rangers AZL club. After a fantastic 2011 season between rookie ball and Short-Season A Spokane, things slowed down a bit for him in his first year of full-season ball in 2012 with Hickory, but he pitched well enough to open the season with Myrtle Beach this year. He throws an upper 80s to low 90s fastball and sports a curve and change to go along with it. The strikeout potential is clearly a big part of his game, but he doesn’t posses an overpowering fastball despite raking up over 11 k/9 IP in his career.
Taking a look at the numbers, both have been impressive:
RHP Phil Klein
| Year | Tm | Lg | Lev | W | L | G | GS | SV | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 2 Teams | 2 Lgs | A–Rk | 1 | 2 | 3.98 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 20.1 | 20 | 13 | 9 | 1 | 16 | 31 |
| 2011 | Rangers | ARIZ | Rk | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2.2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 |
| 2011 | Spokane | NORW | A- | 1 | 2 | 4.58 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 17.2 | 18 | 13 | 9 | 1 | 15 | 24 |
| 2012 | 2 Teams | 2 Lgs | A-A+ | 6 | 0 | 1.73 | 40 | 0 | 8 | 62.1 | 39 | 13 | 12 | 3 | 23 | 67 |
| 2012 | Hickory | SALL | A | 6 | 0 | 1.90 | 33 | 0 | 8 | 52.0 | 37 | 12 | 11 | 2 | 21 | 53 |
| 2012 | Myrtle Beach | CARL | A+ | 0 | 0 | 0.87 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10.1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 14 |
| 2013 | Myrtle Beach | CARL | A+ | 1 | 0 | 1.98 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 13.2 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 12 |
| 3 Seasons | 8 | 2 | 2.24 | 59 | 0 | 8 | 96.1 | 65 | 30 | 24 | 4 | 42 | 110 | |||
| A+ (2 seasons) | A+ | 1 | 0 | 1.50 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 24.0 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 26 | ||
| A (1 season) | A | 6 | 0 | 1.90 | 33 | 0 | 8 | 52.0 | 37 | 12 | 11 | 2 | 21 | 53 | ||
| Rk (1 season) | Rk | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2.2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | ||
| A- (1 season) | A- | 1 | 2 | 4.58 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 17.2 | 18 | 13 | 9 | 1 | 15 | 24 | ||
RHP Jose Mavare
| Year | Tm | Lg | Lev | W | L | G | GS | SV | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 2 Teams | 1 Lg | FRk | 4 | 2 | 1.36 | 20 | 5 | 2 | 59.2 | 43 | 15 | 9 | 1 | 19 | 58 |
| 2009 | Rangers 2, Rangers 1 | DOSL | FRk | 4 | 2 | 1.36 | 20 | 5 | 2 | 59.2 | 43 | 15 | 9 | 1 | 19 | 58 |
| 2009 | Rangers 1 | DOSL | FRk | 3 | 2 | 1.93 | 12 | 5 | 0 | 42.0 | 33 | 14 | 9 | 1 | 12 | 41 |
| 2009 | Rangers 2 | DOSL | FRk | 1 | 0 | 0.00 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 17.2 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
| 2010 | 2 Teams | 2 Lgs | Rk-FRk | 5 | 1 | 2.08 | 23 | 0 | 2 | 43.1 | 28 | 14 | 10 | 0 | 15 | 61 |
| 2010 | Rangers | DOSL | FRk | 1 | 0 | 0.00 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 16.0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 27 |
| 2010 | Rangers | ARIZ | Rk | 4 | 1 | 3.29 | 17 | 0 | 2 | 27.1 | 23 | 13 | 10 | 0 | 11 | 34 |
| 2011 | 2 Teams | 2 Lgs | Rk-A- | 0 | 1 | 1.95 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 37.0 | 24 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 15 | 54 |
| 2011 | Rangers | ARIZ | Rk | 0 | 1 | 1.93 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 23.1 | 14 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 34 |
| 2011 | Spokane | NORW | A- | 0 | 0 | 1.98 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 13.2 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 20 |
| 2012 | Hickory | SALL | A | 5 | 5 | 3.57 | 40 | 0 | 5 | 80.2 | 66 | 34 | 32 | 6 | 27 | 102 |
| 2013 | Myrtle Beach | CARL | A+ | 0 | 1 | 2.38 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 11.1 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 12 |
| 5 Seasons | 14 | 10 | 2.41 | 107 | 7 | 11 | 232.0 | 168 | 78 | 62 | 8 | 79 | 287 | |||
| FRk (2 seasons) | FRk | 5 | 2 | 1.07 | 26 | 5 | 2 | 75.2 | 48 | 16 | 9 | 1 | 23 | 85 | ||
| Rk (2 seasons) | Rk | 4 | 2 | 2.66 | 26 | 2 | 2 | 50.2 | 37 | 18 | 15 | 0 | 19 | 68 | ||
| A (1 season) | A | 5 | 5 | 3.57 | 40 | 0 | 5 | 80.2 | 66 | 34 | 32 | 6 | 27 | 102 | ||
| A- (1 season) | A- | 0 | 0 | 1.98 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 13.2 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 20 | ||
| A+ (1 season) | A+ | 0 | 1 | 2.38 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 11.1 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 12 | ||
We give a big, warm Texas welcome to these two guys, your newest RoughRiders. And Congrats to Jake, Alex, and Brigham — best of luck in Round Rock!
-Nathan
Baseball term of the day: duck snort – a softly hit ball that goes over the infielders and lands in the outfield for a hit. The term was popularized by White Sox announcer Hawk Harrelson.
Reviewing the MiLB.com Rangers All-Stars (part 2)
With calendar year wrapping up, we’re taking one last look at the 2012 season, specifically the top performers in the Rangers organization. MiLB.com’s Rangers Organization All-Star Team provided a good jumping off point and yesterday we took a look at the infield with an eye upon the outfield and pitching today.
OUTFIELD
MiLB.com’s picks:
Joey Butler, Round Rock (137 G, .290-20-78, 28 2B, 3B, 93 R, 6-10 SB, .392 OBP, .473 SLG, .865 OPS)
Julio Borbon, Round Rock (126 G, .304-10-56, 23 2B, 8 3B, 78 R, 20-28 SB, .349 OBP, .433 SLG, .783 OPS)
Engel Beltre, Frisco (133 G, .261-13-55, 17 2B, 17 3B, 80 R, 36-46 SB, .307 OBP, .420 SLG, .727 OPS)
My picks:
Butler
Beltre
Lewis Brinson, AZL Rangers (54 G, .283-7-42, 22 2B, 7 3B, 54 R, 14-16 SB, .345 OBP, .523 SLG, .868 OPS)
The Rangers have a decent number of outfield prospects in their farm system and some very exciting ones who spent 2012 in the lower levels. Unfortunately, some of those exciting prospects did not have very good years offensively. The super-athletic Jordan Akins (Hickory) couldn’t crack the Mendoza Line in his first year with a full-season club while former first rounder Jake Skole struggled mightily in the Carolina League before serving a 50-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs.
Joey Butler (pictured with the RoughRiders in 2011) had a great season in Triple-A. (Alex Yocum-Beeman/Frisco RoughRiders)
However, there were some notable seasons among outfielders down on the farm. While perhaps a little too old to wear the “prospect” label, Butler turned in a fine season for the Express, providing a consistent, middle-of-the-order threat. Whether or not he profiles to make a big league team at any point, he should have a long career in professional baseball given his ability to produce at the Triple-A level. I could have really included the entire Round Rock outfield on this list, as Borbon’s numbers were nearly as impressive Butler’s and Leonys Martin (55 G, .359-12-42, 1.033 OPS) was a stud in his limited time in Triple-A. While both certainly have credible cases to be made, ultimately I decided that there were other players who deserved the recognition maybe just a bit more.
My pick of Beltre was likely influenced by having the opportunity to see him everyday with the RoughRiders this past season. The former Red Sox signee entered this past season looking to wipe the slate clean from a disastrous 2011 campaign that tarnished his prospect status. The Dominican delivered, setting career-highs in home runs, triples and steals. His 17 three-baggers were the second-most in Minor League Baseball and he played an astonishingly good center field. Speaking from a purely defensive standpoint, I am convinced that he could step into the big leagues today and be a top 15 center fielder.
Based on his 2012 season, the Rangers certainly have to be happy with selecting Brinson with their first round draft pick this past June. The 18-year-old Floridian did not get the same level of attention that AZL Rangers teammate Joey Gallo received for his desert power surge, but that was through no fault of his own. Brinson led the AZL with 36 extra-base hits, 54 runs scored and 124 total bases while finishing one shy of the league lead in both hits and RBI. The potential of Brinson and many of his teammates from this past season should keep Rangers fans excited for the future.
RIGHT-HANDED STARTING PITCHER
MiLB.com’s pick: Barret Loux, Frisco (25 GS, 14-1, 3.47 ERA, 127 IP, 120 H, 100 K, 41 BB, 1.27 WHIP, .251 BAA)
Buckel won “Texas League Pitcher of the Week” honors in early September. (Alex Yocum-Beeman/Frisco RoughRiders)
My pick: Cody Buckel, Myrtle Beach/Frisco (26 G, 23 GS, 10-8, 2.49 ERA, 144.2 IP, 105 H, 159 K, 48 BB, 1.06 WHIP, .206 BAA)
Loux’s record is gaudy, but a closer look into his and Buckel’s numbers make the Californian the decisive choice from my perspective. Loux wowed everyone (the Diamondbacks included, methinks) by winning each of his first ten starts of the season before going 4-1 in his final 15 outings. His command of four pitches and ability to adjust from start-to-start and during starts were something to behold. Traded to the Cubs in November as Jake Brigham’s replacement in the Geovany Soto deal, Loux fits the profile of a 4 or 5 starter in a big league rotation. While Loux was very good at the start of the season for Frisco, Buckel was transcendent for the Pelicans. The undersized righty had more starts (13) than runs allowed (12) in the Carolina League and, after an adjustment period in Double-A, was at his best in the Texas League as the season wrapped up. Buckel learned to pound the strike zone with his zippy 92-94 mph fastball and then tortured hitters with his multitude of off-speed offerings (including a “shuuto,” or “reverse-slider”). Buckel should be a regular big league contributor (either with the Rangers or another team depending on how the trade winds are blowing) before the end of the 2014 season. Justin Grimm and C.J. Edwards also were worthy of consideration for this spot.
LEFT-HANDED STARTING PITCHER
Bell made three stops in 2012, starting in Myrtle Beach before finishing the season in Round Rock. (Alex Yocum-Beeman/Frisco RoughRiders)
MiLB.com’s pick: Chad Bell, Myrtle Beach/Frisco/Round Rock (31 G, 21 GS, 8-7, 3.48 ERA, 2 SV, 142.1 IP, 123 H, 110 K, 54 BB, 1.24 WHIP, .236 BAA)
My pick: Bell
The paucity of lefty starters in the Rangers’ system almost gives this award to Bell by default, but he is still a worthy recipient. He probably should have begun the year: a) in Frisco; and b) as a starter all along. But he started 2012 in a multi-inning relief role for Myrtle Beach before joining the RoughRiders at the end of April. He got off to a rocky start in the Texas League, allowing a home run in his first outing before settling down and going 23 straight innings over seven outings without allowing another earned run. By mid-May, he was starting and on June 11 he received the biggest boost of his season and perhaps his professional career. With Rangers Special Assistant and pitching legend Greg Maddux in attendance, Bell allowed just one hit and one walk with six strikeouts over 6.2 scoreless innings in a win over Midland. Maddux said after the game that it was one of the most impressive starts by a Minor Leaguer he had ever witnessed. Bell was in Round Rock by the end of the month and, though the PCL proved to be more treacherous, continued to string together solid performances.
RELIEVER
MiLB.com’s pick: Ben Rowen, Myrtle Beach (38 G, 5-0, 1.57 ERA, 19-20 SV, 57.1 IP, 52 K, 3 BB, 0.77 WHIP, .201 BAA)
Rowen under-handed his way to a phenomenal season on the Grand Strand. (Dano Keeney/MiLB.com)
My pick: Rowen
Winner of a “MiLBY Award” for the best reliever in all of Minor League Baseball, the submariner Rowen is obviously the best choice here. The former 22nd round draft pick kept his pitches consistently down, inducing a 2.9 GO/AO ratio and allowing just two home runs all season. His ludicrously low number of walks (three) is perhaps his most impressive statistic, given the unpredictablility of submarine-style pitchers in general. Other excellent relievers from this past season included Phil Klein (Spokane/Myrtle Beach), Jimmy Reyes (Myrtle), Nicholas McBride (Spokane/Myrtle Beach), Zach Osborne (for his Myrtle work), Ross Wolf (Frisco/Round Rock), Joseph Ortiz (Frisco/Round Rock) and Yoshinori Tateyama (Round Rock).
- Alex V.
