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#thelegendNo other general manager made the announcements of minor league affiliates a must-read. But here we are in 2012 and when the Myrtle Beach Pelicans have their roster out, we have to stop down and study it. Who's pulled up? Who's still there? It's fascinating baseball times.
Indeed, the minor league affiliates are preparing for their seasons as Round Rock, Frisco, Myrtle Beach and Hickory load up.
Honestly, looking over the rosters, there's not a truly weak spot in the lot. Even Triple A-Round Rock, which at worst is boring, is full of kids champing at the bit to get into the bigs. I think it could be a really interesting year for the Rangers' farm system.
Round Rock Express
Who To See
Plenty to choose from. I'll go with Neil Ramirez. The not-yet-23-year-old starter will begin his year for the first time above High-A (he started in Myrtle Beach last year, made a "spot start" in Frisco and never returned to the East Coast spending most the year in Round Rock). Ramirez was superb in Double-A and pretty good in Triple-A in 2011. He averaged a strikeout per frame. His walk rate jumped, but that might have been the result of moving up two grades of hitter within the span of three months.
Who Might Surprise
Round Rock is filled with guys that have proven themselves. A guy that could take a swim in Arlington this summer is reliever Justin Miller. Stuck around Spring Training for a long time before getting sent down. He's a big righty (listed as 6-3, 215). He's taken the normal route up the chain aside from effectively skipping Low-A and going right to High-A and then Frisco last year. His BAA the last two seasons: .205 and .185. He strikes out a batter per inning. Walks seem high. He's there, though, so the Rangers must have a plan.
Frisco RoughRiders
Who To See
You go to Frisco for many reason. Great park, good attendance, good talent. This year you to see Jurickson Profar, the best prospect in the Rangers' system and arguably the best prospect in the Majors. How good? The debate already exists as to what the Rangers will do with Elvis Andrus and/or Ian Kinsler once Profar's ready. Some have had the audacity to think Profar a centerfielder. Ridiculous. But the hype is real. He just turned 19, a switch-hitting shortstop, he tore up the South Atlantic League with 37 doubles, eight triples, 12 home runs, 65 RBI and more walks (65) than strikeouts (63). At age 18. Plus, he stole 23 bases, scored 86 runs and played the most demanding position on the field. And he's in our backyard. Enjoy all that.
Who Might Surprise
The criticisms remained the same for Engel Beltre a year ago in Frisco. He doesn't walk enough, doesn't hit enough to make up for it and generally makes boneheaded mistakes. The Rangers added Leonys Martin and Beltre was pushed back down the food chain. The talk surrounding Beltre in Spring Training was a tad different. Damn-near optimistic. The good news is that Beltre tore up the California League during his second, full season there. This is his second full season at Frisco. We'll see.
Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Who To See
Cody Buckel. The former second-round pick (2010) spent his first full pro year in Hickory and struck out 120 in 96 innings. He walked just 27. The Rangers took Buckel right out of high school and they've had zero problem pushing him a bit. He's just 19 and he will face another level up of professional hitters.
Who Might Surprise
He did not throw a pitch in 2011 no thanks to Tommy John surgery, but Wilmer Font is back. He's been around forever, yet, he's just 21-years-old and still a big, bulky kid. Before the surgery, Font registered in the high-90s with the fastball with a developing curve and change. This season will be a telling year.
Hickory Crawdads
Who To See
You do not get the hashtag #thelegend without showing something. Jorge Alfaro combines pure physicality (6-2, 185) with a rocket arm and an advanced hitting instinct (.300/.345/.826) for a 18-year-old. Ranked the 10th best catching prospect in Major League Baseball by Jonathan Mayo. He'll climb that ladder.
Who Might Surprise
Santo Perez is a 23-year-old Dominican, who stands at 6-5 and 200 pounds. He was good in the Dominican Summer League two years ago and OK at Spokane, where he posted a 2:1 groundball/flyball ratio. Getting the bump. The Rangers' Latin American presence is just insane.
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