Several get first taste of Triple-a

as Round Rock embarks on its third season as the Rangers’ Triple-A affiliate with a revamped roster that holds much promise.

“This is the next wave of Rangers prospects,” said Round Rock’s general manager, George King. “We’re ramping back up after tailing off last year. We are a little younger than we’ve been the last couple years. There are not as many six-year free agents.”

Dependable veterans like Brad Nelson, Matt Kata, Luis Cruz and Val Majewski have moved on — Kata to the Express front office.

In their places are a bevy of prospects getting their first taste of TripleA, including Profar, Olt, center fielder Engel Beltre and first baseman Chris McGuiness. They helped Frisco to the Texas League championship series in 2012.

On one hand, it’s exciting for fans because these are high-end talents.

On the flip side, it’s a gamble because TripleA clubs normally provide veteran pieces for the major league affiliate when injuries hit or players don’t live up to expectations.

“It’s a bit risky,” manager Bobby Jones acknowledged. “Our No. 1 goal is to serve the Rangers. But you’ve got to remember, Profar and Olt already have been around big leaguers. If they get called up, it wouldn’t be totally foreign to them. Also, you’re talking about really talented kids.”

Profar and Olt combined for just 50 at-bats for the Rangers in 2012, but their jump straight from Double-A to the majors last September was impressive.

“Round Rock is the best place for me right now,” said Profar, 20, who drilled a home run in his first major-league trip to the plate. “I need to play every day. I want to get better at everything.”

Olt, 24, has a similar take. “There are a lot of things I can improve on,” he said. “I’m going to get some time in the outfield and learn to play there, too.

“Triple-A will be a whole new challenge. You’re facing more experienced pitchers, and I have to prove I can handle it.”

It’s also an important year for two Express returnees, left fielder Joey Butler, 27, the team’s only Pacific Coast League all-star last season, and second baseman Yangervis Solarte, 25. They need to make the jump from prospects to major-league ready.

Round Rock does have an older pitching staff, nearly all with MLB experience.

“If the Rangers need somebody there, it’s comforting because those guys have done it before,” Jones said.

Justin Grimm, 24, who pitched in five games for Texas last season, is the youngest of a group that includes veterans like Randy Wells, 30, and Brad Mills, 28.

Josh Lindblom, 25, a 6foot-4-inch, 240-pound right-hander, is the most interesting new starter in Round Rock. Lindblom is a converted reliever who pitched well for the Dodgers and Phillies last year.

“I’ve done it some before in the minors,” he said. “It’s a role I can handle. I’ll just have to stretch myself out and use all four of my pitches.”