It’s hard to top the hype surrounding the call-up of the newest RoughRider, Joey Gallo. Nevertheless, the 2014 season has seen many prospects promoted to (and through) Frisco, with a couple making it all the way to the big league club. Here’s a quick breakdown of some key moves made this season.
Matt West promoted to Triple-A Round Rock
Matt West has the kind of arm that big league teams covet. A converted third baseman, West doesn’t light up the radar gun as he used to prior to Tommy John surgery, but his pinpoint control and secondary pitches should help him segue into a valuable bullpen role for the Texas Rangers—possibly even as a future closer.
Since his promotion to Triple-A Round Rock, West has had trouble missing bats, surrendering 23 hits which has contributed to his robust 5.65 ERA. However, he’s still exhibiting his trademark control and has issued just four walks, while striking out 17 batters over his 14 1/3 innings of work.
Luis Sardinas and Rougned Odor make big league debuts
Luis Sardinas and Rougned Odor are the definition of “fast-risers.” Less than a year after being promoted from High-A Myrtle Beach to Double-A Frisco, both are currently occupying a roster spot with the Texas Rangers. Sardinas, signed in 2009 as an International Free Agent out of Venezuela, is the most keen with the leather of the two.
He projects as an upper tier shortstop at the big league level, and runs with well above average speed. After putting up a triple-slash line of .257/.283/.320 in his 50 games with the ‘Riders, he’s taken it to another level over his 18 games with the Texas Rangers. Sardinas has gone .304/.360/.326 thus far in his role as a late innings defensive replacement and pinch hitter. Odor, or “Roogie” as his fans lovingly call him, also hails from Venezuela, and was an International FA signing of the Rangers in 2011.
Having just turned 20 prior to the 2014 season, he is slightly younger than Sardinas, and may have an even higher ceiling. Listed at 5’11” but appearing a good deal smaller, Roogie shows that dynamite can come in small packages. Odor’s slash line of .301/.325/.479 is excellent considering his age and stage of development. Of note too are his two home runs, each of which were of the upper-deck, no-doubter variety.
With 14 RBI in just 73 at-bats, it appears as though he has knack for getting the big hits with runners in scoring position. By comparison, Prince Fielder (before his injury) had just 16 RBI 150 at-bats. With Jurickson Profar’s likely season-ending shoulder surgery, Odor should be up on the big league roster for the remainder of the 2014 season. Should Odor remain the everyday second baseman, Sardinas could very well stick around as the Rangers’ utility infielder.
Joey Gallo and Chi-Chi Gonzalez arrive in Frisco with a bang
It sure didn’t take Joey Gallo too long to make his presence felt in Double-A—two games to be exact. In game one, he hit the game-winning, walk-off home run. In his second game, he hit another home run and notched a double.
The sky’s the limit for Gallo, as he reduced his strikeouts without sacrificing any of his prodigious pop. And as for Chi-Chi Gonzalez, he threw four perfect innings in his Frisco debut before surrendering a double in the fifth inning. He only allowed that one hit—not too shabby for his matchup against Double-A hitters.
Upcoming RoughRiders Games
The ‘Riders hit the road for a long stretch, all told, a twelve game jaunt as they take on the Corpus Christi Hooks and Midland RockHounds. Chi-Chi, Gallo and the Rough Riders return home Wednesday, June 25 for a six-game homestand at Dr. Pepper Ballpark.
