EXPRESS PREVIEW
What the pitchers reveal about Rangers’ prospects
Unleash the arms. When the Express open their first homestand this weekend, they will showcase a group of starting pi tching prospects who form perhaps the best one they’ve had since becoming a Triple-A club 10 years ago.
Alex “Chi Chi” Gonzalez, Luke Jackson and Anthony Ranaudo are three of the Rangers farm system’s top four arms, according to MLB.com.
“We haven’t had the luxury of placing this many good, young starters at Round Rock the last several years,” said Mike Daly, senior director of minor-league operations for the Rangers. “These guys are ready for that chal - lenge.”
First, though, an elder statesman will lead them one night after they were snowed out in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Wandy Rodriguez will pitch the home opener Friday against Memphis. The 36-yearold left-hander is no stranger to these parts, having pitched for the Express from 2004 to
2006 when they were an Astros farm cl ub.
“Our younger guys can learn a lot from Wandy,” said Round Rock pitching coach Brad Holman. “He is a true craftsman, a guy who used his arm and his head to get major-league hitters out for 10 years.”
The Rangers’ future, however, is tied to the young trio, all former first-round draft choices.
Gonzalez, 23, who arrived in 2013 from Oral Roberts, has raced through the system, compiling a 2.95 ERA over three seasons. He was 12-6 with a 2.67 ERA in 2014, splitting time between High-A and Double-A ball. He’s projected to become a No. 2 or No. 3 starter in Texas’ rotation.
“A lot of movement, a lot of sink, that’s what comes to mind with Chi Chi’s stuff,” said firstyear Express manager Jason Wood. “His cut fastball is his best pitch, but he’s got a wide variety. His maturity is another asset. He acts like he belongs.”
Jackson, 23, a 2010 pick out of a Fort Lauderdale, Fla., high sc hool, soared in 2013, when he was 11-4 with a 2.04 ERA in the lower minors. He was 8-2 with a 3.04 ERA at Frisco in 2014 before being promoted to Round Rock, where he struggled to a 10.35 ERA in 10 starts.
“Luke is a power arm. He can throw the ball by guys,” Wood said, “but he’s got to stay composed and develop his offspeed pitches. When he got to Triple-A, some things happened to get him out of his rhythm. He must adjust and stay within himself.”
Ranaudo, 25, a former LSU All-American, beat Texas in the deciding game of the 2009 College World Series. He was a Triple-A All-Star last year with a 14-4 record and 2.61 ERA for Boston’s Pawtucket team before the Red Sox dealt him to the Rangers for lefty Robbie Ross Jr.
“Anthony throws from a three-quarters motion, and he’s really tall (6 feet, 7 inches) so he’s throwing from a steep plane,” Holman sai d. “He gets outs high in the zone, which a lot of guys can’t do.”
Ranaudo, 4-3 with a 4.81 ERA in seven starts for the Red Sox las t year, pitched five shutout in- nings in the Express’ season opener at Oklahoma City last week. The Rangers promoted him for a start against the Angels, but he was torched for six runs in less than two innings and sent back to Round Rock.
“I know I’m not the finished product,” Ranaudo said last week during Express media day. “At times, I need to be more aggressive and definitely need more command in the bottom of the zone. I’ve had success in Triple-A, and I’d li ke to think it’ll all come together this year.”
Gonzalez is eager for his first Triple-A home start Saturday night. He was solid in his first road start, going five innings and allowing two runs.
“I think I’m mentally strong and confident enough to use what I have to get these guys out,” he sai d. “And if I need to make adjustments, I will.
“When I began my pro career at (Low-A) Spokane (in 2013), I got kicked in the butt, and that was exactly what I needed. You learn as you go and adapt.”
Said Daly: “In Chi Chi’s case, he needs to throw strikes and get ground balls. That’s his game.”
Jackson said the three touted pitchers will push each other to be better.
“We’ll kid around about those prospect rankings, but they don’t mean anything unless you perform,” he said. “I do see some friendly competition, though, to see who can put up the numbers.”