Lewis Brinson and Luis Ortiz traded to Milwaukee
FRISCO, TEXAS (August 1, 2016) - The Texas Rangers have made a trade for All-Star catcher Jonathan Lucroy and reliever Jeremy Jeffress involving Frisco RoughRiders outfielder Lewis Brinson and right-handed pitcher Luis Ortiz. Brinson (Rangers' No. 2 prospect, according to MLBPipeline.com) and Ortiz (No. 3) head to the Milwaukee Brewers organization in the deal.
Brinson, 22, is in his second Double-A season, spending most of this year with the RoughRiders. The reigning Texas Rangers Minor League Defender of the Year is batting .237 with 11 homers, 40 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and a Texas League-leading six triples. Brinson missed 21 games on the disabled list from June 12 to July 6. Brinson logged the majority of his time in center field, playing 65 of his 77 games there this season. He had a breakout year playing across three levels in 2015, including Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock. In addition to the Defender of the Year Award, he was named a MiLB.com Organizational All-Star and Baseball America Minor League All-Star when he hit .332 with 20 homers, drove in 69 runs, and stole 18 bases. The Rangers selected Brinson with the 29th overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft out of Coral Springs High School in Coral Springs, Florida.
Ortiz, 20, was promoted to Frisco from Class A-Advanced High Desert on May 20, and made his Double-A debut in victorious fashion May 23 against the San Antonio Missions. The right-hander finished his time in Frisco with a 1-4 record and a 4.08 ERA. Ortiz struck out 34 hitters, while walking only seven, in 39 2/3 innings of work. He missed two starts while on the disabled list from July 19-29. The Rangers selected Ortiz with the 30th overall selection of the 2014 MLB Draft out of Sanger High School in Sanger, California.
Lucroy, 30, is in the midst of his second All-Star season, batting .299 with 14 homers and 50 RBI this year for the Brewers. Brewers closer Jeffress, 28, is 2-2 with a 2.22 ERA, compiling 27 saves in 28 opportunities across 47 outings.
The RoughRiders are back in action Monday night, opening up a three-game series against the Midland RockHounds at Dr Pepper Ballpark. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.
For information tickets to see the RoughRiders in 2016 and beyond, fans can visit RidersBaseball.com, email [email protected], call (972) 731-9200, or stop by in person to the RoughRiders Ticket Office.
About the RoughRiders
The Frisco RoughRiders are the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers and play their games at beautiful Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas. The team was founded in 2003 and has finished first among all Double-A franchises in attendance in each of the last 11 seasons (2005-2015). In August 2014, the RoughRiders were purchased by an ownership group led by Chuck Greenberg and Scott Sonju. The new ownership group, together with the city of Frisco, has spearheaded numerous major franchise improvements over the past two seasons, investing over $7 million in wide array of facility upgrades and improvements, including the new state-of-the-art HD video board, sound system, Bull Moose Saloon, InTouch Grille, Riders Outpost Team Store, and the newest and biggest creation, the 174-foot Choctaw Lazy River. The improvements made prior to the 2015 season earned the Riders and the City of Frisco "Best Ballpark Renovation" of 2015 by Ballpark Digest. More than 130 former RoughRiders players have gone on to play Major League Baseball, including All-Stars Chris Davis, Elvis Andrus, Adrian Gonzalez, Ian Kinsler, Nelson Cruz, and C.J. Wilson as well as current Rangers stars Derek Holland, Rougned Odor, and Mitch Moreland. For more information on the Frisco RoughRiders and Dr Pepper Ballpark, please visit RidersBaseball.com or contact Nathan Barnett at (972) 334-1976 or via e-mail at [email protected].
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