Baseball America names Riders as top three Rangers prospects
FRISCO, TEXAS (January 26, 2016) - Baseball America, one of baseball's leading publications, unveiled its Top 10 Rangers Prospects, and players from the 2015 Frisco RoughRiders roster earned the top three spots. Slugger Joey Gallo enters the season as the top Rangers minor leaguer for the second straight season, according to BA, while outfielders Lewis Brinson and Nomar Mazara check in at the number two and three spots on the list.
Gallo and Mazara both spent parts of 2015 and 2014 in Frisco, while Brinson made his RoughRiders debut in the second half this past season. Mazara and Brinson completed their campaigns with Triple-A Round Rock, while Gallo competed in the big leagues in September with the Rangers. All three were named Texas Rangers Organization All-Stars by Minor League Baseball.
Gallo, 22, jumped Triple-A, leaving Frisco for the big leagues after he crushed Texas League pitching to the tune of .314/.425/.636, smacking nine home runs and 10 doubles to go along with 31 RBI in just 34 games. The Las Vegas native later played 53 games for Triple-A Round Rock and logged 36 games in the majors, where he hit six big league homers for Texas and hit .204. In total, Gallo hit 23 homers across three levels this season and has 133 career home runs in just 419 games.
The 20-year-old Mazara combined to hit .296 with 26 doubles, two triples, 14 home runs, and 69 RBI in 131 games between Frisco and Round Rock, with the majority of his games logged with the Riders.
Mazara was named Tom Grieve Minor League Player of the Year for his outstanding 2015 campaign, while the Rangers awarded Gallo with the same honor after his 2014 season.
Brinson, 21, rocketed up the Rangers' farm this summer, hitting .332 across three levels with 31 doubles, eight triples, and 20 long balls, tallying 69 RBI in his 100 minor league contests. Earlier this month, the Rangers named him their Minor League Defender of the Year.
In the article, Ben Badler of Baseball America commends Texas for its developmental approach with the top three: "the Rangers have done a tremendous job of getting high-ceiling position prospects with high strikeout rates to make more contact, even while facing better pitching. Several of those hitters have simplified their swings, improved their balance in their lower halves and in turn kept their heads locked in, which has helped them better recognize pitches, leading to improved plate discipline and contact rates." (to read the full article, follow the link. Subscription required).
Complete list of the Top 10 Rangers Prospects (according to Baseball America):
- 3B/OF Joey Gallo
- OF Lewis Brinson
- OF Nomar Mazara
- LHP Luis Ortiz
- RHP Dillon Tate
- OF Eric Jenkins
- SS/3B Josh Morgan
- 2B Andy Ibanez
- OF Leodys Taveras
- RHP Mike Matuella
Outside of the top three players, the players in the top 10 have yet to reach the Double-A level or higher. In last season's rankings, Gallo was ranked number one, while Mazara was fourth, and Brinson was not ranked in the top 10.
The RoughRiders will open their 2016 home schedule at Dr Pepper Ballpark on Thursday, April 14 and host 70 home dates through Labor Day, Monday, September 5. Season ticket packages and group and hospitality offerings for the RoughRiders 2016 season can be reserved by calling (972) 731-9200 or emailing [email protected]. Single-game tickets will go on sale to the public in March.
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 has spearheaded numerous major franchise improvements, from a completely new team identity to massive additions and upgrades to Dr Pepper Ballpark, including a giant new video board, sound system, sports bar, team store, improved food service and menu, and a complete overhaul of in-game entertainment. The improvements earned the Riders and the City of Frisco "Best Ballpark Renovation" of 2015 by Ballpark Digest in the under $6 million category. More than 130 former RoughRiders players have gone on to play Major League Baseball, including All-Stars Chris Davis, Elvis Andrus, Adrian Gonzalez and Ian Kinsler. 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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