Another month closer to the Texas League playoffs, and the Frisco RoughRiders have two more key players receive Minor League Player of the Month Awards.
RHP Alec Ascher, LHP Alex Claudio nab June awards
Although the RoughRiders’ parent club, the Texas Rangers, has struggled mightily finding the right mix of pitching during this injury-plagued season, Frisco has had no shortage of quality arms. The Rangers named right-handed pitcher Alec Asher, and lefty-reliever Alex Claudio as their June Minor League pitcher and reliever of the month.
Asher, a 22-year-old native of Lakeland, Florida, had a June for the ages. A former fourth round draft choice in 2012, Asher was 2-2 with a 1.93 ERA with 26 strikeouts and just two walks in June. This is the second award for Asher, who was also named the Minor League Pitcher of the Month in May of 2013 while with the Single-A Hickory Crawdads.
Alex Claudio, a lefty-reliever known for his unique delivery and devastating changeup, also earns the second award of his minor league career. Claudio, June’s Reliever of the Month, took home the prestigious Minor League Reliever of the Year last season.
Claudio, a 22-year-old native of Puerto Rico, has made the seamless transition from High-A Myrtle Beach to Double-A Frisco. Although he has only been with the team for about three weeks, he has impressed, going 2-0 with a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it 0.48 ERA. All told, he’s struck out 21 batters over 18 2/3 innings pitched while walking just four.
On the mend: Jim Adduci
Both Geovany Soto and Jim Adduci have looked very good over their combined 12 games of rehabilitation at Double-A Frisco. Soto was called up to the big league roster last week, and Adduci is has just recently been promoted.
Adduci originally landed on the disabled list with a broken finger. He re-injured the finger during a rehab stint with Triple-A Round Rock. Primarily an outfielder, Adduci can play all over the diamond and likely will see time at first base once he is added to the Rangers roster.
Over six games in Double-A, Adduci was batting .318 with one home run and six RBI. Here’s hoping Adduci’s activation will provide a spark to the Texas Rangers’ offense just like Jake Smolinski’s did a few weeks ago.
Upcoming RoughRiders Games
The ‘Riders are in the midst of a three game set in Midland with the RockHounds. They return home for a seven game home stand, starting with the San Antonio Missions this Thursday at the Dr. Pepper Ballpark.
