The minor leagues are fully underway now. Everything is moving and some players are already being moved around. Let’s take a look at some of the standouts from the system in this, the third edition of the minor league review.
Down East Wood Ducks
Down East in 9-12 so far in 2022. Larsen Kindreich (1-0, 1.13 ERA) has struck out 26 in 16 innings. The 22-year-old lefty has had a very positive start to the season.
Out of the bullpen Michael Brewer has thrown 11 innings and struck out 14 while walking only 2. His 0.82 ERA is pretty impressive as well.
On the offensive side, Alejandro Osuna is hitting .327 in 55 at bats. The 19-year-old left fielder has an .870 OPS and has more hits than strikeouts.
At the Low A level it is usual to see some players struggling, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Osuna is the only player with a average over .300. Look for that to improve as the season goes on.
Hickory Crawdads
The ‘Dads sit at 11-10 on the season. If you follow the minors at all you have heard of three fifths of their rotation.
Mason Englert (1-1, 4.05 ERA), Tekoah Roby (1-2, 7.41 ERA) and Owen White (1-1, 3.44 ERA) have all completed 4 starts so far in 2022.
Englert is striking out a batter per innings while White has 24 k’s in 18 innings. Roby has struck out 18 in 17 innings, and also has the most walks at 8.
On the offensive side of the ball Aaron Zavala is still struggling to find his way at the plate with a .177/.378/.274 slash line. He is still working walks however. He has a team leading 19 free passes.
Batting average wise players like Evan Carter (.313/.416/.500), Keybar Rodriguez (.297/.338/.359) and Cristian Inoa (.308/.385/.406) are helping the offense be successful.
Frisco RoughRiders
Everyone wants to hear about Jack Leiter, and for good reason. He was the second overall pick in last years draft. Leiter (0-2, 2.84 ERA) has struck out 19 in 12.2 innings pitched. He has walked 9 and given up 9 hits.
Rounding out the rotation is Cody Bradford (2-1, 8.64 ERA), Cole Ragans (1-1, 3.00 ERA), Zak Kent (0-0, 8.10 ERA), Justin Slaten (0-0, 2.57 ERA) and Avery Weems (0-0, 10.13 ERA).
From the pen Chase Lee (0-0, 0.00 ERA with 3 saves), Ferny Ozuna (2-0, 2.92 ERA) and Grant Anderson (1-0, 2.38 ERA) have been bringing it for Jared Goedert’s crew.
On the offensive side the Riders have seven players hitting over .300 including Josh Stowers (.327), J.P. Martinez (.308), Dustin Harris (.300) and right behind them is Blaine Crim (.284).
Frisco is filled with players you are going to see soon on a major league roster, even if it’s not the Rangers.
Round Rock Express
The Rangers AAA affiliate has started hot for 2022 at 15-9. On the pitching side, A.J. Alexy (0-0, 4.71 ERA), Kohei Arihara (1-2, 3.38 ERA), Cole Winn (2-0, 3.38 ERA) and Jake Latz (2-3, 4.30 ERA) will all be in Arlington at some point in 2022 IMO.
Out of the pen Hever Bueno (1-0, 3.18 ERA), Dan Winkler (0-0, 1.00 ERA) and Ryder Ryan (1-1, 2.13 ERA) have all been pitching well.
On the offensive side Leody Taveras is on the hottest of hot streaks with a slash line of .375/.402/.625 with 4 homers and 13 RBI so far. He still needs to work on striking out less (20 in 88 at bats).
Bubba Thompson is hitting .333, Catcher Meibrys Viloria is batting .341 and others are doing well.
On the negative side of AAA ball Shertan Apostel is batting .167, Matt Carpenter is .239 with 15 strikeouts and Ryan Dorrow is battion .183.
That is your weekly minor league update!
