Ben Rowen promoted to Triple-A Round Rock

FRISCO, TEXAS (JUNE 20, 2013) - Frisco RoughRiders All-Star relief pitcher Ben Rowen has been promoted to Triple-A Round Rock. To fill his spot on Frisco's roster, Alexander Claudio has been promoted from Class A Hickory, bypassing the Advanced-A level, for his first promotion to Double-A.

Rowen, 24, dominated Texas League hitters in a team-high 31 appearances for the RoughRiders. He posted a 3-0 record and went a perfect ten-for-ten in save chances. His 0.53 ERA led all active Double-A pitchers at the time of his promotion of players with at least 30.0 innings pitched and last week he was named a Texas League All-Star. In 33.2 innings of work, the 24-year-old submarine-throwing reliever fanned 28 batters and walked just 11. In his final 19 outings, spanning 19.1 innings, Rowen did not allow a run, surrendered just seven hits and struck out 18. The 2012 Texas Rangers' Minor League Reliever of the Year and MiLB.com's Reliever of the Year for 2012 will be making his first career trip to Triple-A.

Claudio, 21, is the reigning Rangers Minor League Reliever of the Month, picking up the honors with a perfect 0.00 ERA in 16.2 innings during the month of May for the Crawdads. The left-handed sidewinder reliever posted a team-best 1.15 ERA with 62 strikeouts and only seven walks in 47 innings spanning 24 outings for Hickory before his promotion. He had a 3-1 record and was 11-for-15 in save opportunities. Over his last 16 outings, totaling 26 innings, Claudio has allowed just one run (earned), ten hits and four walks with 39 strikeouts and went nine-for-12 in save chances with the Crawdads.

A 27th-round selection in the 2010 MLB Amateur June Draft out of Isabel Flores High School in Puerto Rico, Claudio spent 2010-2012 between the Arizona League Rangers (Rookie) and the Spokane Indians (Class A-Short Season). This is his first year with a full-season minor league team and his first promotion to Double-A. He is the first member of the 2013 Crawdads to make it to Double-A, and is skipping the Advanced-A level.

Rehabber first baseman Mitch Moreland has also completed his major league rehab assignment with the RoughRiders and is expected to be activated by the Rangers in the coming days.

Frisco's roster is now at the Texas League limit of 24 active players, which is one below the Texas League limit. 

The RoughRiders conclude their season-long, 12-game home stand with a four-game series against the Corpus Christi Hooks Thursday through Sunday before the All-Star Break on Monday and Tuesday. Thursday's game is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

The RoughRiders return to Dr Pepper Ballpark Wednesday, June 12 at 7:05 pm, beginning their longest home stand of the season with a four-series against the Corpus Christi Hooks. For information on tickets to see the RoughRiders in 2013, please call (972) 731-9200, email [email protected] or visit www.ridersbaseball.com.